New COVID-19 directives for Barbados were published today that drop the three-foot social distancing requirement but continue to make it mandatory to wear a facemask when indoors or travelling on a public service vehicle.
The directives under the emergency management orders take effect Wednesday, August 31st, and will run for three weeks until September 22nd.
Despite the trend overseas to dispense with the wearing of facemasks, the laws in Barbados continue to require that masks are worn at business places and other public buildings and on public transport.
In addition, hand sanitizing stations are required at health care facilities, nursing homes, schools, nurseries, ports of entry, and prisons.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kenneth George, notes the change in the directives comes as Barbados’ covid-19 positivity rate continues its steady decline.
Meantime, a total of 63 people were diagnosed with COVID-19 yesterday from the 288 tests conducted by laboratories across the island. There were 81 people in isolation.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Sonia Browne, notes that Barbados is retaining the indoor mask mandate despite the overseas trends as she warns the public not to take the threat from the pandemic lightly.
She was speaking as the Massy Foundation donated more than 380 thousand dollars worth of facemasks and respirators to the ministry of health to support its efforts in combating the pandemic.
Dr. Browne stresses that Barbados remains in a fight against covid-19
Minister of State in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Sonia Browne.
Meantime, Minister of Health and Wellness, Ian Gooding-Edghill, noted the huge costs incurred by the government in battling the pandemic as he thanked Massy for their donation.
Voice of: Minister of Health and Wellness, Ian Gooding-Edghill.
