Barbados initiates partial lockdown over ashfall

WITH volcanic ash from St Vincent’s La Soufriere covering parts of Barbados, transforming that country into the equivalent of a "snow day," Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has advised all non-essential workers to stay at home and indoors.

In an emergency news conference on Sunday to address the effects of the ashfall in her country after La Soufriere erupted in nearby St Vincent and the Grenadines last Friday, Mottley told the Barbadian people not to panic.

She said only essential workers will report to work on Monday, advising of a reduction in public transport and discussions with the private sector and the trade unions to initiate a partial lockdown as they battle this uncharted territory.

Mottley said for a country which has no history of volcanoes, Barbados has been hit from the east and west by the ash, which has covered rooftops and diminished visibility.

She told the population  they will get through this situation with common sense, “and a few cents and some dollars too” as director of the UWI Seismic Research Centre Dr Erouscilla Joseph painted a worst-case scenario.

Responding to a direct question from Mottley as to whether or not they had passed the worst, Joseph noted, “The worst-case scenario is that this could go on for weeks.”

As Mottley’s eyebrows rose, Dr Joseph attempting to soften the blow while still being realistic, said this projection was long term, but in the present circumstance, it could last from days to weeks. Joseph said the centre would continue to observe and monitor the situation.

Mottley said she wanted the Barbados people to understand the period of uncertainty they were experiencing and urged them to listen to official communication and not the fake news being spewed on social media.

She threatened to get the Barbadian commissioner of police involved in the sharing of fake news which she said could have serious consequences.

“I am accustomed to many things. This is a first.”

Keithroy Halliday, general manager of the Barbados Water Authority (BWA),  said the country need not fear its water supply being compromised because the system was properly secured and sealed.

He said there was no real concern about the aquifers being infiltrated as there was a natural filtering system which retarded any pollutants from reaching them.

Roger Blackman of the Barbados Light and Power Co Ltd said while it faced some risk with its air intake equipment, plans are in place to manage any situation that may arise.

He warned citizens against spraying water on their meters or electrical connections to wash off the ash.

Mottley warned against washing off the ash as water would make it dense and cause serious flooding if it got into drains and guttering.

She instead said people should put the ash in strong garbage bags for disposal. A location for ash disposal has not yet been finalised.

Barbados chief medical officer Dr Kenneth George also cautioned those with allergies and medical conditions like asthma to ensure no direct contact with the ash. He said those people should stay indoors with doors and windows closed and venture out only when necessary, in long-sleeved tops and long pants, goggles and masks.

Peter Thompson of the TMR said while people have been advised to stay indoors, he cautioned against using air conditioning units, as the ash could damage the equipment and also bring the ash into homes.