Government Mulls Extension Of State Of Emergency For Sixty More Days

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In the upcoming Cabinet on Wednesday, the government will be deciding on whether to extend the current state of emergency for another sixty days.

The state of emergency which expires on Thursday was put in place to prevent community spread. While there has only been one new case of infection over the past three weeks, officials argue that the state of emergency is still need.

According to a highly placed government source the extension of the state of emergency has become necessary because the government believes that while the disease may have been contained, it has not been fully eradicated from the society.

Even though the state of emergency may be extended, there will be further loosening up
of the regulations.

In a radio interview from his home, Prime Minister Browne revealed plans to relax the curfew hours.

“What we could do and we will consider next week is to possibly relax the hours in which for the day light hours maybe until 7 p.m to make sure it’s available to individuals so they can continue doing their business and maybe until 5 a.m. Give them another two maybe another 4 hours, so these are some of the discussions we will have next week to determine how we relax the curfew.”

Also hair salons, barber and nail technician shops are now authorize to open. However, these businesses will not be allowed to return to how they operated before, the protocols of social distancing, wearing of masks and frequent handwashing will remain in force for the extended period and perhaps beyond.

The Cabinet also plans to look at the situation with bars and nightclubs at its meeting on Wednesday. There’s no indication what the decision about these establishment is likely to be.

 

 

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22 COMMENTS

  1. I really hope they don’t go through with this. Seeing that they haven’t had a spike in cases or any sort of increase. Almost, if not all, the cases have recovered. They need to at least open the border for people who are trying to get back home. Instead of this irrational paranoia. A 2nd wave is inevitable until there’s a vaccine.

    • Not if they keep the borders closed. There will be no second wave if they don’t allow the infected to come in.

      • You can’t keep the borders closed forever. Antigua probably won’t see a vaccine for another 2 years and even then the price of it will probably be something ridiculous. Ppl need to be able to come and go as they please.

  2. I think they should allow people out until 7pm so that people can get to do there jobs and make money I really hope that this horrible virus just disappear in Jesus name

  3. I am certain that something can be done to allow for bars and night clubs to operate…………..after all, they employ people too and these ppl have their individual family to feed.
    It is unfortunate that these businesses are being overlooked. We must remember that we are all contributors to this great economy of ours and the government has a duty to think clear and constructive for the benefit of all and not some.

    • @Que7. While I can understand that everyone need to feed their families, It would be irresponsible of the govt to hastily open night clubs.

      First thing, there is still a curfew in place, so I still fail to see how a night club can be open under that circumstance.

      Second, how do you plan to enforce social distancing in a night club, wearing mask, etc? I can see that for a bar but not night club.

      Maybe a better thing to seek if you have a night club is to ask for a subsidy or something like that.

      To the others who want the airport open in a haste, the govt must wait for the commercial airlines, which must book their flights. I am not a govt official but just makes sense.

      • In regards to airlines. It’s truly the other way around. Commercial flights can’t be making bookings for an island that hasn’t announced if their borders are opening. I’m very certain that once antigua opens their borders commercial airlines will THEN start to schedule flights and quick at that because they need the money.

    • The bar a dem done open! Check the minister a health consituency. Them a congregate and drink rum!

  4. The boarders need to be open because there’s citizens stuck overseas that would like to return home

  5. MR PRIME MINISTER AMERICAN AIRLINES JET BLUE UNITED AND DELTA HAS NOT STOP FLYING DOMESTICALLY. THEY ARE WAITING FOR THE INTERNATIONAL BORDERS TO OPEN TO RESUME FLIGHTS! I MYSELF A ANTIGUAN-BORN WOULD LIKE TO COME HOME.

  6. While I fully understand the closing of borders, businesses and all the other preventative measures, I wish the government would make consideration for nationals who are stuck overseas. I am one such national.

    Thankfully, I have relatives who have allowed me to stay with them (outside of this, I would have been a vagrant in a foreign country for the last 2 months as hotels and the likes are now closed). As a self employed individual this is very tough financially as I struggle to take care of myself here and still meet my financial obligations at home.

    I have made several attempts to contact the Prime Minister’s office, the Antiguan Consulate in Miami and a few other government agencies to know if there are any plans being considered for nationals stuck outside of Antigua. I have yet to receive acknowledgement from any.

  7. Are any random test being carried out in the communities? And how test are done a day? Are we being testing for COVID 19 in Antigua yet? These are some questions we need to be asking instead of focusing on opening up night clubs and bars. Yes people want to make money and that is true for their livelihood, but life does matter to the most importance.

  8. What is wrong with Gaston Brown, this curfew needs to end! People are starving in this island! They have no money to give to the people, we need to work! Some business get to open while others are starving! Where is the common sense in staying close! He and his minsters have there salaries and savings! All we have is hard work to survive! Done this curfew now, enough is enough Gaston!

    • Hahahaha is this not what you all wanted in March? Lockdown closed borders?! Stop the crying now and accept it. This is what lockdown mean curfews closed borders. Oh some of you were hoping for free money from the government hahahahaha the jokes on you. Have fun in sixty more days of this.

  9. There can be no middle ground. If the government allows Sandals to open on 4th June then the country needs to be seen to be open at least 3 weeks before that. Where in the world has anyone has ever heard Tourism and State of Emergency coexisting?

    So, either open the country to maximum capacity because you know from safety practice and observation that Covid19 in Antigua, is not the virulent strain of the North America and Europe Covid19 strains. Or, just isolate the Island from all outside risk until a safe vaccine is found.

    I support totally opening 100%, and am willing to risk my life to prove Antigua’s resilience.

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