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Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has called on Barbadians 70 years and over and those with health challenges to self-quarantine as much as possible for the next 12 weeks.

Ms. Mottley gave this advice today, saying seniors were the most vulnerable segment of the population in relation to COVID-19, along with persons suffering from non-communicable diseases. 

She made the comments during an interview at Ilaro Court, as she responded to questions on social media about Barbados’ response to the virus.

The Prime Minister said: “At this stage and time, the Government is looking at a 12-week horizon with respect to telling people over the age of 70, or who themselves may have chronic non-communicable conditions, but are not in good condition. The way that it was explained to me is that if you have your diabetes under control, you are pretty good, but a person whose diabetes is out of control is more likely to suffer and why?

“This viral pneumonia as it was explained to me, there is no cure on the face of it and that is why people are working hard to see what combination of medications will work – anti-retroviral, anti-malarial, etc.  If your body is not strong enough to fight it off, that’s where the danger comes.”

Ms. Mottley expressed the view that citizens would have to manage themselves individually. 

“I am appealing to all Barbadians that we each have to take care of ourselves by taking all the measures, from washing your hands to not touching your face to all of the other things the Ministry of Health is guiding you to do; [including] distancing as far as possible.

“But at the same time, to recognize that we need to take care of those who are more vulnerable – our grandparents, our aunts, our mothers, our fathers, whoever they are and to be able to help them minimize their going out ….  We want to protect them at all costs.  We can’t shut down from the world fully; we can’t do it in terms of goods and we can’t do it in terms of people movement infinitely,” she pointed out.

sharon.austingill-moore@barbados.gov.bb

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