An alarming surge in covid-19 cases linked to the new covid-19 variants has prompted a tightening of protocols, but Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has announced that there will be no total shutdown.
She noted there is no immediate end in sight to the pandemic and therefore no lockdown would be implemented.
Health Minister Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic
- Major spike in the positivity rate.
- Alarming “Game Changer” 29 positive children under the age of 12.
- 48 new positives from yesterday’s tests, nearly all of them Barbadians.
- Delta variant impacting Barbados; have to be vigilant as source of some cases can’t be traced.
- Variants attacking mostly the unvaccinated, including several young people, and urges people to come forward to be vaccinated.
- Positive cases mostly coming from factories, warehouses and distribution centres.
- Another church cluster – accounts for 13 of today’s positives; the church has been closed and members placed in quarantine; very worrying; three church clusters overall.
PM Mia Mottley:
- Very disturbing number of cases of younger people, average age in the isolation facility is 43 years old.
- New Cases primarily among Barbadians and recurring cases in businesses with poor ventilation.
- 95 % of people at Harrison Point are unvaccinated.
- Have to tighten protocols to reduce deaths and hospitalizations.
- No total shutdown as no immediate end in sight for the covid-19 pandemic.
- Government will not force people to be vaccinated but strongly advise people to get the vaccine.
- As of Sunday 29th August all visits to senior citizens homes and geriatric hospitals banned.
- All church services including funerals and weddings limited to 25 people and six foot social distancing rule prohibited.
- Graduations and receptions prohibited
- Bars and rum shops remain open but no consumption inside premises where possible.
- Outdoor gatherings limited to 20 people.
- Hikes allowed but no socialising and gathering.
- Pleasure craft continue at 50 percent capacity.
- Indoor sports prohibited.
