Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has announced that effective February 3 to 17, the island will enter “a period of national pause”. Speaking last night from her Ilaro Court residence, Prime Minister Mottley declared several intensified restrictions to combat the spread of COVID-19 in Barbados.
She stated that the curfew has also been extended, but it will be amended from February 3, to start from 7pm and end at 6am daily. Barbados is currently operating under a 9pm to 5am curfew. And PM Mottley reminded all that breachers will be penalized for breaking the law.
“Stay home. Stand in yuh house. Stan round yuh yard,” the Prime Minister stressed.
She disclosed that public sector employees will be working from home as well as private sector entities that can accommodate working remotely. Most construction projects will be put on pause, except for ongoing works at Highway 1.
“We have a lot of empty holes, deep trenches that collecting water and could equally be a threat to the community and society and we obviously have to allow Water Authority, NPC and Light and Power to fix any break downs and repairs that need to be done,” Mottley explained.
Only supermarkets, pharmacies, gas stations, except convenience stores, will remain open. Supermarkets will remain open from 8 am to 3 pm during the week and close on Saturday and Sunday. Pharmacies and gas stations will remain open on weekends.
Gyms, restaurants, bars and shops will be closed from February 3 as well. Essential services in the public and private sectors will remain in operation. “What we are essentially doing is saying to you, if you don’t need to leave home at all. Do not leave home,” the Prime Minister emphasized.
“You can out on the step in yuh yard, you can walk around in your background, you can do all of that but try to stay in your perimeter between seven at night, six in the morning and generally for sure where possible in the day,” she added.
She urged residents to use the remainder of the week to do their shopping and urged them not to panic. She also mentioned that care packages will be distributed to less fortunate families next week through the Welfare Department, the Household Mitigation Unit, Members of Parliament and opposing political parties.
