(Stock Photo)
Government offices closed from as early as 2:30 p.m. today, Thursday, August 17, as Barbados remains under tropical storm warning as Potential Tropical Cyclone #9 approaches the island.
In addition, the Transport Board has advised that the last bus for today will leave the terminals at 5:00 p.m.
The Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry has also recommended that private sector entities employ a staggered shutdown approach with offices closing at 2:30 p.m.; retail stores at 3:30 p.m. and gas stations and supermarkets and other essentials by 4:30 p.m.
These recommendations follow detailed discussions with stakeholders in the National Emergency Operations Centre in light of the approach of the system.
At 11:00 a.m., the centre of the system was located 365 miles east of Barbados, and is moving westward at 17 miles per hour. On its present track, the centre is expected to pass near or over Barbados early Friday morning.
A small craft warning will be in effect from 6:00 p.m. today, Thursday, August 17. Residents living in low lying areas are urged to be on the alert and take all necessary precautions.