EDITORIAL: Stay at home

After being encouraged to engage in social distancing to stem the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, Barbadians are now being encouraged to stay indoors as the country enters Stage 3 of its COVID-19 National Preparedness Plan.

In an address to the nation, Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley recently noted that a decision was taken to convene Parliament yesterday to amend the Emergency Management Act, which will allow for the declaration of a public health emergency and for certain measures to be put into effect, as a result of going to Stage 3 of the nation’s COVID-19 plan.

As such, a curfew will now be in place from today, Saturday, March 28 until Tuesday, April 14, from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. for all residents, except those who are part of the essential services. The Prime Minister meanwhile made it clear that the first day when 24-hour movement will be allowed again for all persons, unless further extended, will be Wednesday, April 15, 2020.

Adhere to the measures

Now many persons have been querying which persons fall under the category of “the essential services” and who will be allowed out and about. Some organisations and businesses we are hearing have been asking for “exemptions”, so they can still operate. Some Barbadians seem not to grasp the severity of COVID-19 and why as a country we need to have somewhat of a lockdown procedure in effect and why they need to stay home. However, if we look to some of the international countries which have had to battle with the pandemic ahead of us, we can see key reasons why we need to adhere to the measures given.

Indeed, some may say we are late in the game, as others have closed their borders and instituted shutdown measures, after just having a few confirmed cases of COVID-19. Nonetheless, we need citizens to be obedient and to follow the instructions meted out by the Government, in the interest of all concerned.

Thus, if you are not part of the “essential services”, which include the uniformed organisations of Barbados; security organisations; the Royal Barbados Police Force; the Fire Service; the Barbados Prison Service; Immigration; Customs Officers; the medical and paramedical professions; caregivers; hospital providers; personnel from utility companies or telecommunications; the media and broadcasting services; a provider of essential transport or involved in the collection, storage, purification and distribution of water or the collection, storage, treatment and disposal of sewage and garbage; neither are you responsible for the removal of persons who have passed away, then do what is recommended and stay home.

On that note, businesses which will not be impacted by the new restrictions include grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants for take-away or drive-through only, shops, commercial bakeries, butcher shops, abattoirs, and gas stations, along with fishermen and farmers. Word is that some government workers will be working from home, but “critical ministries”, which will be identified, will remain open to service the public, between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

However, if you do not fall into any of these categories, stay indoors, stay at home and do what is right not only for yourself, but for our nation.