Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and Minister of Health & Wellness, Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic address the nation – September 9, 2021. (PMO)

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has announced new changes to the directives to slow down the spread of COVID-19 in Barbados, during her address to the nation from Ilaro Court, this afternoon.

Those changes will come into effect from Saturday, September 11.

Ms. Mottley said that the curfew would start from 9:00 p.m. and end at 5:00 a.m., Mondays to Saturdays, and on Sundays, the curfew will begin at 6:00 p.m. and end at 5:00 a.m.

She continued: “We’re asking persons to adhere to those things. There is one exception.  We recognise that restaurants are back in business; we’re asking people to go for early suppers. The restaurants can stay and serve up until about 8:30 p.m. for those who live half hour away, or 15 minutes away, but we are giving what is otherwise known as an extended pass or laissez-passer to those restaurant workers, so that they can get home…. They will be allowed to be on the road until 11 p.m., when the curfew finishes at nine, and until 8:00 p.m., when the curfew finishes at 6:00.”

Prime Minister Mottley also urged persons not to gather, “especially for the next two weeks.”  She added: “We are, therefore, going to prohibit indoor dining in those fast food restaurants for the next two weeks, while at the same time continuing to ask you not to gather in shops or places inside, where there is an outdoor option.”

She also made mention of the ventilation issues in warehouses and other buildings, stating: “We spoke with the private sector, and I know that the relevant officials in the government are in fact dealing with individual entities to be able to ensure that we can improve ventilation.”

The Prime Minister announced that hiking and all contact sports would be put on hold for the next two weeks.  

“We’re asking for that because we believe that for now, slow down. We don’t need to lock down if we can slow down and we can vaccinate, and that is absolutely, absolutely critical,” she said. Ms. Mottley spoke about the improper wearing of masks. 

“I’ve asked the Attorney General to please ensure that it is now explicit in the protocols that persons must wear the mask, above their nose and below the chin. It does not come with a penalty, but it is coming as a reminder to persons that this is nothing to play with.”

fabian.belgrave@barbados.gov.bb

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