Govt to spend $6b on covid19 relief

Finance Minister Colm Imbert says government is projecting a total expenditure of $6 billion on covid19 relief and other needs between now and September. He said that as of Tuesday, $934 million has already been spent on dealing with the pandemic.

He said the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services has already spent $98.1 million on various social support programmes, with a projected expenditure of $400 million. He said $10 million has been given to religious bodies, with a projected expenditure for this of $30 million.

He said the agriculture ministry delivered fresh produce to the tune of $1.3 million, projected to be $10.7 million by September. The national security ministry has spent $3.7 million, and overall expenditure is projected at $8.3 .million. He said $5.3 million had been spent on personal protective equipment for the police. The ministry of rural development and local government had spent $3.9  million on sanitisation thus far, with a further $10  million allocated for food support.

Imbert said thus far the health ministry has spent $55 million, and while the eventual figure cannot be determined, a figure of $250 million is projected, and his ministry is prepared to give the health ministry whatever it needs to cope with the crisis.

He said the finance ministry has spent $12 million, with a projected spend of $490 million, on salary relief. He said a $100  millionloan had been provided to credit unions, and this might be increased. VAT bonds of $700  millionhad been paid out thus far. He said $5million  will be allocated to buy facemasks to be distributed to NGOs.

Imbert said a $442  million loan has been secured to assist Caribbean Airlines, and added that WASA and TTEC might also need help. He said $50  million will be allocated to the TRHA and $5 million for the THA, with an additional $50 million for hotel upgrades. He said the small and medium enterprise sector will receive $300 million through a loan programme.