Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley’s COVID-19 Update – January 1, 2021. (PMO)

A new curfew time frame is in effect until Saturday, January 9. 

This was announced on Friday night by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley during a COVID-19 update to the nation. She said Barbados would be under a curfew from 9:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. daily, starting tomorrow, Saturday, January 2.

In making the announcement of the amendment to the previous curfew time frame, which was midnight to 5:00 a.m. daily until January 14, Ms. Mottley said: “Certainly for the next seven days, but possibly 14, that there will have to be greater discipline on the part of Barbadians. I’ve therefore advised the Attorney General to draft a further directive that will allow us to institute a curfew from nine o’clock at night.

“From tomorrow, the second of January, for the next seven nights, until the ninth of January, but with the proviso that we may extend it until the 14th or further, if necessary,” the Prime Minister stated.

In addition, she stated that even though January 4 and 5 would be bank holidays, certain businesses would be allowed to operate. 

“When we announced also that Monday and Tuesday will be closed to businesses, other than supermarkets and gas stations, will obviously need to facilitate people’s access to food or medicine or other urgent things as they do on a bank holiday with those measures in place.”

Also with immediate effect, no permission will be granted for social gatherings. This, the Prime Minister noted, is due to the number of positive cases arising out of the bus crawl held on Boxing Day. 

She added that it is being implemented to reduce the number of persons moving around, so that contact tracing could be effectively and efficiently conducted, and to reduce further transmission.   

“We were allowing official gatherings of persons up to 50 or more, but now that we’ve seen the increased numbers of positives, I’ve equally advised the Attorney General that there are to be no banquets, social gatherings, fetes, limes of any number, whatsoever.”

Ms. Mottley also addressed those who operate bars, restaurants, shops, and persons who go to the beach.  She pointed out that Barbados was not yet at that stage where she needed to “press brakes” in reference to their operation, but stressed: “If in the next 72 to 96 hours, I do not see an improvement in people’s behaviour, then I will similarly be taking action there.” 

sheena.forde-craigg@barbados.gov.bb

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