Barbados will go back into lockdown for a two-week period that will include an 11-hour nightly curfew in an attempt to bring the COVID-19 outbreak under control, Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced Tuesday night, as she also confirmed that the country had recorded three cases of the UK variant of the virus.
In an address to the nation that lasted just under an hour, Mottley said three out of the 10 samples sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for testing had confirmed the presence of the UK strain on the island.
Against the background of health officials having confirmed community spread of COVID-19, the deaths of three elderly people in the space of a week, and increasing cases of the virus, Mottley said the country had to “act decisively”.
She announced that from midnight February 3 to February 17, there will be a “period of national pause” and a 7 pm to 6 am curfew will take effect.
Only supermarkets, pharmacies and gas stations will be open, and only essential activities in the public and private sector will continue. Supermarkets will open from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm but will close on Saturdays and Sundays during the lockdown period.
Village shops, bars, restaurants and gyms will be closed for the duration of the 15-day period, while banks will be closed from February 3 to 9.
The wearing of masks in all public places will also be mandatory.
The Prime Minister said more details about the measures will be released during the next few days.
While she did not announce any closure of the country’s borders, she disclosed new travel requirements from February 3.
Mottley said all persons coming into Barbados must have a negative PCR test that was done 72 hours before arriving, they will be subject to a rapid antigen test on arrival, and mandatory quarantine at a government-approved facility has been increased from two to five nights for those with negative tests.
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Good luck Barbados . No one is saying to stop the flights to Àntigua but the “catch me if you can” Covid policy that allows mostly non national tourists to not qurantine is notting short of criminally negligent . This Govt is not moved by outcries ,suggestions /recommendations other than it’s own . I don’t care about the UPP ALP nonsense I voted for the damn man it’s about LIFE AND FAMILY . I’ve read many comments on here where some call him the “Draconian” ruler I now believe it is quite fitting . BLESSINGS TO EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU AND YOUR LOVE ONES MUCH LOVE .
Must really hurt your feelings that its BDS that has community spread and is now shutting down not ANU. Can’t even admit that the policies here worked better than those in BDS. While they focused on the gate and slept on internal controls, covid got in and has caused havoc. ANU, though placing some controls at the gate, has focused more on internal controls. Mask wearing here is mandatory unlike in BDS. Curfew has been long in place here while BDS had none, Social gatherings were more limited here. Yet instead of seeing the wisdom, you instead prefer to hope the sky will fall.
why would anyone wish that on their own country with love ones .The endgame is the same the difference is how we get there . Did you even read what I wrote speaking about tightening the protocols. I have a family member and a very close friend died from Covid in U. S. . Next time before you open your mouth and the maggots come crawling out read and comprehend so you even you will understand what you’re talking about
Cause you bitter, hence it blinding you from seeing the good work that has been done
HFWL, Pringle, Franz and the rest of the UPP clan should send a stern letter to Mia advising that they vehemently oppose to such measures as they have been trying to preach here in Antigua. What ah set ah clowns.
This is what the long winded covidiots want then when it happen dem go come up wid sonething else fu complain bout. Wha men dem nar go lob inn Barbados since it seems to be da place fu dem lib dem covid dreams #isaidwhatisaid
Some of these comments you can see the dunceness coming through .
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