COVID-19 update featuring Cabinet Sub-Committee Chairman, Senator Dr. Jerome Walcott; Minister of Health and Wellness, Lieutenant Colonel, Jeffrey Bostic; Attorney General, Dale Marshall; and acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kenneth George. (PMO)

Persons in quarantine will soon be required to wear tracking bracelets.

Minister of Health and Wellness, Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic, made the announcement during a televised press conference last evening to update the public on the COVID-19 situation in Barbados.

He indicated this would allow authorities to better monitor the activities of those quarantined at various Government-approved locations, ultimately preventing breaches.

Minister Bostic outlined the features of the bracelets, which utilise geo fencing technology.

“Our tracking bracelets have a mechanism that is tamper proof, and they’re also water resistant. As soon as anyone tries to do anything, an alarm goes off and the command or control will receive those alerts, and we would then be able to respond. If a person goes out of the area that they’re supposed to be in, in quarantine, again the alarm goes off and we will be able to respond promptly,” he explained.

He said the bracelet was expected to be rolled out next Wednesday.

The Health Minister also highlighted the importance of this new monitoring approach, stating: “This will give a level of comfort to us, especially based on the experiences that we’ve been having in the last few weeks.”

Meanwhile, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kenneth George, urged Barbadians and visitors alike to comply with the rules and regulations of Barbados relating to quarantine.

“It is important not only for your safety, but the safety of the entire population, as we try to address the issues confronting us at present,” he stressed.

nya.phillips@barbados.gov.bb

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