Curfews continue, cinemas reopened, parties still banned in Barbados

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley said curfews implemented in the country to curb the spread of the covid19 virus will continue in the coming weeks.

At a press conference on Thursday, Mottley updated the country on adjustments to covid19 protocols, including the curfew, which will continue to run from April 27-May 17.

She said the curfew will be pushed from 11 pm to 12 midnight and run until 5 am from Thursday to Sunday nights. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights remain curfew-free.

She said based on the reduction in covid19 numbers, although the country is not where it wants to be, her government will continue to gradually reopen the country.

Current numbers, for the most part, she said, are linked to irresponsible behaviour.

“It is unfortunate when we have people in the society who are willing to put at risk other members of the society.”

Mottley was speaking about a recent cluster of cases that occurred in a church in the north of the island.

She said drive-ins and cinemas will reopen, with stringent covid19 protocols, including no more than 25 people in concession areas, which she said will be heavily monitored.

She cautioned people to be careful on two upcoming public holidays, including National Heroes Day (April 28) and May Day (May 1).

She said she knew the holidays were traditionally celebrated with music and festivities, but cautioned the country that fetes, parties and concerts would not be allowed.

“We are not yet out of the woods,” she said, adding that there had been too much progress made to put it all at risk now.

Mottley also mentioned the country was currently burdened with low water pressure in some areas and unavailability of water in others. She said the recent ash fall experienced in Barbados from the activity of the La Soufriere volcano in St Vincent had led to a greater demand for water to be used to clean up around homes and businesses.

The ashfall placed an inordinate demand on the water system in Barbados, leading to the shortage.

Mottley said she is in talks with the Barbados Water Authority to remedy the situation.