Conscious of the warnings sounded earlier this week by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), the United Progressive Party (UPP) registers its grave concerns over the Government’s decision to relax certain restrictions during this period of lockdown/curfew.
As a responsible Opposition, we recognize the impact that COVID-19 is having on our economy, as well as the urgent need to get “back to business” as soon as possible. We appreciate, too, that small businesses and entrepreneurs – particularly those not deemed essential – are at risk the longer their doors remain closed.
The UPP is fully seized of the current and potential hardships that will be faced by workers, especially those for whom the tourist season abruptly ended.
However, in all good conscience, we cannot support expanding the list of essential businesses at this time – with the resultant risk of exposing both workers and customers to infection – given PAHO’s specific caution to the region that “focusing on social distancing remained countries’ best bet to reducing transmission and slowing the spread of the virus.”
Countries with much greater medical capacity than Antigua & Barbuda have heeded the call for a shutdown of commercial activity in order to contain infection and limit exposure.
In our current state – where the Infectious Disease Centre is still not operational; on-island testing has still not begun; the Cuban brigade is not yet properly deployed; and the shortage of nurses is now acute – we simply cannot understand why our resource-poor Government would take chances with the people’s physical health.
If the worst-case situation were to occur, consider the emotional and financial consequences, as families lose loved ones and breadwinners. Consider the impact on the Nation’s social services, straining already only three weeks into the curfew, and the general dislocation of our society….
All this at a time when friendly governments and humanitarian organisations have their hands full.
Surely, a 14-day shutdown of commercial activity is less costly than an outbreak of COVID-19, accompanied by numerous deaths.
Therefore to reduce the likelihood of these situations, the UPP joins the scores of medical and public-health professionals who are calling for a full two-week quarantine, with the provision of support services for the vulnerable and those in need.
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Leave the politics out of this. Don’t shoot the messenger. Antiguans and Barbudans are not taking this virus seriously enough. We have to be prepared to make this sacrifice to save lives. It crucial that our citizens continue isolation and social distancing to prevent the spread of this vicious disease.
So far we have tested less than 0.1% of our population. We don’t yet have enough data to gauge the spread of the disease. Therefore, extending the curfew for an extended period is crucial in making sure our citizens continue to Stay Home and Stay Safe. To be forewarned is to be forearmed!
Well it all comes down to TESTING doesn’t it? After being promised having local testing capacity for weeks, the latest new date from the Health Minister is Monday. (Fingers crossed, yet again)
People will understandably welcome relaxed measures, but only wide testing would give us the confidence that this loosening of the approach will not in fact SPEED UP the COVID-19 spread. We can only hope that this is not a grave error, made as a result of having insufficient data. Less than 1% of the population tested so far, and we remain way below the tests per 1000 citizens number of other islands.
And please people – continue to take precautions. Social distance. Stop trying to push the limits. Cabinet note #3 clearly said that golfers are to golf alone and not be crowded. So why do we have a Minister and his friends caught closely golfing together on the putting green? Do such things inspire the compliance of ordinary poor people? Please – let the powers that be demonstrate better examples.
Is this man serious, or is this another political shot. Come on, man, stop the politics and partisanship. You are history. Pringle is the man now Let him speak. He IS the Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, not you.
Is the Leader of Her Majesty’s Opposition, JAMAL PRINGLE sick? When will the public hear from the rightful Leader of the Opposition in Parliament? Give the YOUNG man his rightful place.
Open back up the dam country
Well said, well work out
The job of the Opposition is to oppose whatever the Govt proposes in order to stay relevant. Well done in this regard! However a full 14 day lock-down is unnessarily draconian and is often the mantra of the most fortunate amongst us or those getting paid off the nation’s purse whether they work or not. Some are actually enjoying the time off with full pay!
For poorer people who are not being paid and have very little funds, this cure may be worse than the disease but what does that matter to an Opposition who needs to have a position where they can blame the Govt if things get worse.
BUT he isn’t in the leadership of the Opposition. He may be the leader of a long discredited party, buy he is not the LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION. We have one of them, an elected member of the House, and his name is JAMAL PrINGLE. Pringle not fooly, you know. He’s a bright young man, and the legally recognized LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION, the ONLY one. Parliament no joke, you know. These side line people need to let the man speak for his people. Indeed, at this time, the nation needs to hear the voice of the LEADER of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, JAMAL PRINGLE, not the party hacks. Bring on JAMAL. We need to hear from the legally recognized LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION. We want JAMAL!!!
Where is Pringle …. We want to hear from Pringle … if we wanted to hear from Lovel we would have elected him… now go sit down Melford foot stool….
Pringle
Pringle
almond frett
BRING ON PRINGLE. PRINGLE! PRINGLE! PRINGLE! He the Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, not this old has-been guy. He kicked to the curb many times, and rejected by the people. Stop playing politics. PRINGLE IS THE MAN. Let him speak, now.
CURIOUS and CONRAD Harold Lovell is the leader of the UPP and the Honourable Jamale Pringle is the leader of the opposition party in Parliament. Who is more appropriate to speak to the crisis that presently confronts this country, the leader of the party or the leader
of the opposition in Parliament. I say that common sense and logic would tell you that the leader of the party should be the person speaking on behalf of the party. In the circumstances, stop dictating who should be speaking on behalf of the UPP. That is for the party to determine and not either of you.
I notice they have been an increase in sudden deaths in Antigua for the last couple weeks. We need to test them all for covid-19 to make sure. It is extremely brutal on people who suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes and any lungs disease. Maybe an independent body should be responsible for testing and data related to covid-19. I don’t trust the government on this because they have many reason to hide the true data.
TABOR…. who are you again … To make matters worst you are just a party Hack….. Come on quickly join the choir and sing this chorus
We want to hear from the real leader
PRINGLE
PRINGLE
PRINGLE
GERMALD PRINGLE
@Conrad, Curious, Hmmmmm,
you guys are so right to ask about Pringle. Lovell keeps on putting this guys down just because he wants to be relevant. But no one is taking him on. He had called from day one that we close our borders. Thank God he is not the one that has to make the decisions for us in these trying times. He would have the IMF running the country in the background. And you know what that would mean for many of us. Austerity measures. Poverty can’t done. And hunger all over the country. God bless Gaston Browne, the best men for the situation we are in.
Gaston Browne IS the best man for the situation we are in., and I didn’t vote for him.
People of Antigua.Let us as a people not use “ignorance” as a guide.Let us use wisdom and understanding to get through this period in our lives.I have always said that stupidity is an earthly gift.Some of us got more of it than most of us.Let us work together as one.Because the Coronavirus does not care if you are a supporter of Gaston Browne and or Harold Lovell.It does care if thou art rich or poor.It would and could kill you in a blink of an eye.So let us all use our given senses.And do the right things using common sense and good judgments.According to the Chief Health Inspector.Antigua only has the ability to bury 4 persons per day in St.Johns Cemetery.Do not let us get to that point in this Covid 19 pandemic.Good luck to all Nationals,Citizens and Residences of Antigua and Barbuda.This is not about politics.This should be about saving of lives to include your own.We would then have all the times left when this is over to indulged in partisan Politics.Good luck Antigua and Barbuda.
@ CHARLESWORTH TABOR
Tabor you beat around the bush toooo much . Harold Lovell , UPP and the EXECUTIVES do not believe that Jamal Pringle has the CAPACITY to address issues . Therefore that is the reason UPP is pushing Lovell to the front all times. Tabor you know exactly what I am speaking about. I heard from someone in the UPP that there are presently lots of FRICTION within the UPP because Pringle is not happy with the treatment that He is presently experiencing. That is the Problem. So Tabor stop. Very Disturbing.
I listened D.GISEL ISAAC on the Snake pit ( OBSERVER RADIO) a couple of nights ago . This Lady is so far removed from reality. Her Utterances are not about enhancing Antigua / Barbuda in this Crisis. She is interesting to see this Government fail. I cannot understand who will support the UPP with D.Gisel Isaac as Chairperson of the UPP.
Who is a TRUE ANTIGUAN?What is a TRUE ANTIGUAN?
TRUE ANTIGUAN … i heard her myself … that lady is bitter …. she is very unhappy … she has no love for this country
Looking forward to the results in Antigua the next two to three weeks when the Caribbean lsland would received its full blast. Not forgetting chapter 2 the economy. Jesus have mercy!!!!!!
Listen oppositions all over the world just can’t help but to oppose and criticize everything governments do,I was hoping this time governments would get some support,considering how difficult it is to deal with this covid 19 pandemic.Upp have so much talk in opposition can you imagine Wilmouth Daniel having to do what minister Joseph is doing 😭😭😭🙆🏾♂️🙆🏾♂️🤦🏾🤦🏾.lovell just find a crab hole and stay in it,you don’t qualify to advice the PM on anything👍🏻👍🏻
Is it true that Jamal Pringle, the Leader of the Opposition, is standing with the Honourale Prime Minster on the covid-19 issue? That’s the voice that matters, the voice of the LEADER of the Opposition, Jamal Pringle.
Hon. Gaston Browne has single handedly destroyed Harold Lovell and the UPP Party. Hon. Gaston Browne is too Bright and Clever for those Guys. Whenever Lovell make a statement. There is a multitude of People just trampled on Him. UPP should consider a New Leader going into the election 2023. Just an Advice . If not the results will be worst than 2018. Which means UPP will lose the single seat now occupied by Jamal Pringle.
I know the ALP supporters will forever hate anything that sounds intelligent coming from a leader. We know they love to hear the drivel from Gaston. “Fastest growing economy faster than Canada UK and US yet less than a month we gone from power house to pauperhouse.
Harold and the UPP is correct without proper testing of at least 10% of the population it would be unwise to open. We run the risk of community spread and continued lock down.
We are in a crisis why is it only Gaston must sound his voice. Our situation is dire we have coronavirus coupled with an administration bankrupt of ideas and finance to do anything.
Miss Isaac is an Antiguan she has the right to her opinion.
Melford squashed Harry to the ground, don’t forget. That is why Harry no longer viable, but the one and only legal and official LEADER of the Opposition is. Jamal Pringle is his name. He is recognized by the Crown and the one and only LEADER of the Opposition. Harry may be the leader of a political party, but he is NOT the legal and official LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION. We already have one of those.
Upp just being true to form as an opposition,you relax the restriction base one the situation @ hand,no new cases,no evidence of community spread,keep social distancing,keep on the 😷 mask,I
Completely agree,but in lovell’s head he must oppose the regime @ all times,so the game goes, even when it’s gives no political advantage…
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