Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Dale Marshall.
FROM Wednesday, July 1, 2020, there will no longer be a curfew in place on weekends.
Word of this has come from Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley. In an address to the nation from her official residence, Ilaro Court, the Prime Minister said this will effectively bring an end to all the curfew restrictions imposed to help curb the spread of COVID-19 in this country. Her comments came against the backdrop of the disclosure earlier during the session from Minister of Health and Wellness, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bostic, that the country is now COVID-19 free, as the remaining five patients in isolation had been discharged.
PM Mottley also told the media present and those tuning in online, that the decision has been taken to reduce the physical distancing requirement to one metre.
“That is just about three feet or in other words, outside of the stretch of your arms and hands,” she stated.
Adding to her remarks, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Dale Marshall, said that the country is on the cusp of implementing COVID Directive No. 8, which will further lift restrictions put on Barbadians over the course of the last three months. But, he explained that the State of Emergency, which was earlier this week extended to the end of August, remains in place.
“The importance of the State of Emergency from my point of view, is that it allows us to maintain our restrictions in relation to the physical protocols, in relation to the sanitising – it is the basis on which the COVID-19 Monitoring Unit will work. They will work within the context of the State of Emergency caused by the pandemic and even though we have no cases at this point in time and we feel that we are COVID free, from a point of view of governance, it is still going to be important for us to ensure that those protocols, physical distancing, things of that sort will remain in place,” he said.
Meanwhile, giving details of the forthcoming directive which comes into effect on Monday, he indicated that matters relative to the operation of day-care facilities have been concluded and such facilities will be allowed to reopen to full functionality. In addition, he said that sporting events will also now be allowed to take place with spectators.
“Now obviously we will still have stringent protocols in relation to spectators enjoying those events, but they will largely be limited to physical distancing and sanitising. Obviously for indoor sporting activities there will be density requirements to consider, but once more our avid fans can go out, enjoy a game of cricket, watch basketball, football, road tennis and the like,” he stated.
The AG went to say that changes have also been made to the numbers allowed to attend entertainment and public events. He revealed that the numbers allowed are now a maximum of 500 people, up from the 250 that was previously stated. He said the decision was taken after discussions with the health authorities. Marshall explained where the event is indoors, then the physical distancing protocols must be applied, while outdoors would allow for “more flexibility, but still physical distancing”; adding that in each case masks must be worn.
Marshall made the point while disclosing that a decision has been taken that come July 15, Government is prepared to consider, with the support of the COVID-19 Monitoring Unit, allowing the hosting of events in excess of 500 people. He went on to say that church services will, under the new directive, no longer have a time limit and baptisms will be allowed so long as persons wear gloves.
The one thing that will not change under the new directive, the AG disclosed, is visitations to hospitals and nursing homes. He said they will continue to be limited to one person at a time. Marshall stated after consultation with the health authorities and officials of such facilities, it was agreed that the limit should remain for the time being. (JRT)