Attorney General, Dale Marshall, speaking during a COVID-19 update held at Ilaro Court last night.
BARBADIANS have been given greater insight into how the period of National Pause will affect their lives when it officially comes into effect for two weeks starting next Wednesday.
During a COVID-19 update held at Ilaro Court last night, Attorney General Dale Marshall sought to clear the air on the curfew period, which he stressed begins on the first second of February 3 and ends on the last second of February 17.
The Attorney General also made it clear that while the last curfew technically ends January 31, that does not suggest there will be a two-day free-for-all until the new directive comes into effect on February 2.
“Let me put to rest the notion that on February 1 and 2 there is going to be the Wild, Wild West in Barbados simply because people believe that there is going to be no effective directive. That has never been the case and it is not going to be the case. There are certain reasons why we chose to implement those particular measures from February 3, but the current directive, all of the regime, under which Barbadians are currently living and existing, these directives are going to continue for February 1 and February 2.
“So for those people who seem to think that on February 1 and 2 there are no protocols, you can go where you like, you can do what you like, that is not on.”
The Attorney General made it clear that masks must be worn in public spaces. “As long as you leave your home, you are going to be required to wear a mask.
“There are people who can’t wear a mask or face shield because of some medical condition, it may be mental, physical or some other kind of disability. In that instance, you will be permitted not to wear a mask. Eating, drinking, taking medication or exercising, you are not required to wear a mask.”
He noted that while many of the directives may be familiar to Barbadians, the overriding objective is for persons to stay at home. He noted however there are some businesses and professions that will be allowed to operate and urged that they do so with a skeleton staff.
These include essential services such as doctors, fire service, police officers, paramedics, security officers as well as personnel from telecommunications, electricity, water companies.
For the first part of the shutdown, February 3 to February 10, banks and credit unions will be opened to provide back office services, but not face-to-face retail banking. Money services like Western Union will be closed. Bill payment services, like SurePay, will be allowed to operate between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Additionally, he noted that farmers will be allowed to operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., bakeries, bread depots will remain open for the sale of bread from 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and for the baking of bread from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cleaning services cleaning services for essential services and exempt businesses will be allowed to operate. Delivery services, for the purpose of delivering groceries, fruit and vegetables and medical supplies between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Distributive traders for the supply of goods and services to essential services will be allowed to do deliveries between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Fuel manufacturers, fuel storage facilities and fuel distributors will be allowed to operate 24/7.
As it relates to gas stations, products related to motor vehicles, petroleum products, including LPG, top-ups for phones and pharmaceuticals can be sold, however customers will not be allowed to purchase items for human consumption, such as food or beverages.
Hotels and villas will be allowed to operate, but not gaming rooms and other ancillary activities for the entertainment and satisfaction for guests. Restaurants within hotels can operate for the purposes of room service only.
Manufacturers of goods for export and animal feed will be allowed as well as manufacturers of pharmaceuticals beverages, dairy products, food processors and food distributors will be able to operate between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sugar factories will be opened. Pharmacies will be open from 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Certain minimarts in rural Barbados will be given the green light to operate. “It is not a perfect situation and there will be some inconvenience to some people. We are trying to be as fair and balanced as we can be and therefore if you have four minimarts in one community, it would be reckless of us to allow all four to open. In those instances, we have to find a way to select the one that benefits the largest number of people. We expect that list will be available for publication possibly tomorrow (today) no later than Monday, so that people will know which minimarts will be allowed to open.” The opening hours for supermarkets and minimarts are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Private veterinarian services can be opened as needed. Swimming pool services will also be allowed to reduce the likelihood of mosquitoes breeding.
Tyre shops, wrecker services, emergency personnel from insurance companies can also operate. Wholesalers of food items can open between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. The attorney general stressed that maids, nannies and gardeners will not be allowed to work during this time. Beaches and parks will be open between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. for exercise only. Persons seeking to exercise at other locations can only do so in groups of two during the same time period. Religious gatherings, funerals and weddings will continue to follow the previous directive. (JH)