'You have been warned', Rowley says of a lockdown if covid19 cases continue to rise

WITH covid19 cases rising by 115 in a week, the Prime Minister on Saturday warned the country that any further increase may result in another lockdown for which there will be no financial assistance like that granted when the pandemic began last year.

Speaking at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, Dr Rowley said there is no money to finance rental assistance, food supplies and job loss grants and called on the country to, like him, “err on the side of respecting the consequences because they are so grave.”

He recalled inhis time in the UK during his studies seeinga road in Lake District with a steep hill with signs warning of its ending.

“There were corners on the road and there were very prominent warning signs telling all drivers to gear down and do not exceed a certain speed limit. Then there is a huge sign that said, 'You have been warned!' That is where we have been here today. You have been warned. We are in a good position but the individual actions can change it for the worst, with harsh personal consequences.”

UK High Commissioner Harriet Cross tweeted shortly after with a picture of the sign in Lake District saying she was happy to hear the PM talk about his travels there.

The Prime Minister stressed that the population was taking risks by behaving as if the pandemic was over.

“I am appealing to the population, in your attempt to enjoy the post-pandemic prematurely, or just to be generally irresponsible and genuinely destructive, think about what you are risking when you feel you have to go bar-hopping or hug your friends you have a drink with in a restaurant that is not supposed to be serving alcohol. Just think about the national drawback.”

He added that fighting the pandemic was not a government or party issue. He called on the leadership of the country, not just at the parliamentary level, but everyone with influence, to persuade others to take the response to the virus responsibly. He said the country should not let the upcoming days of relaxation for the Easter holidays mean a relaxation of the regulations. Congregating in groups of more than ten "will get you arrested, get you damaged and the country obstructed."