Announcing that the COVID-19 situation is under control and getting better, with a current positivity rate of 15 per cent down from 26 per cent in previous weeks, Minister of Health and Wellness Ian Gooding-Edghill today outlined changes to the new directive that comes into effect on Monday February 28.

He shared with Barbadians that dancing will be allowed at wedding receptions, permitted in accordance with protocols, and there will be no restrictions to the number of people attending weddings subject to physical distancing.

Minister Gooding-Edghill also indicated that the provision that no person shall consume food or drink inside a bar or rum shop will be removed. He said, the work-from-home will also be removed.

“Standing passengers will be allowed as specified and according to vehicle carrying capacity. The Ministry of Health and Wellness is no longer recommending business houses, churches and retail shops to record the contact information of their patrons entering such establishments.

“However, hand sanitization and temperature checks must continue. I wish to make it clear that where churches and other places of worship are concerned that there is to be no limitation to the number of persons who can gather for worship but that the requirement for the three feet spacing, hand sanitizing, and mask wearing will remain. These same conditions will apply to funerals,” he said.

The Minister said that as he indicated two weeks ago, once the return to school is successful, he will turn his attention to sporting events. He said he met with Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Charles Griffith, along with representatives from several sporting disciplines to listen to feedback in preparation for the phased reintroduction of sporting events.

“The Chief Medical Officer has indicated that the approach to be adopted will be a risk-based one, taking into consideration indoor versus outdoor activities and contact versus non-contact sports. As agreed at yesterday’s meeting, the Ministry of Health and Wellness submitted the risk-based metrics to the Ministry of Youth Sports and Community Empowerment for their examination in consultation with their partners and stakeholders.

“We also decided that the governing body for sporting organizations who currently do not have protocols will urgently develop and submit their protocols to the Ministry of Youth Sports and Community Empowerment and to the COVID-19 Monitoring Unit. We are working towards the purposeful reintroduction of sports within two weeks in a risk-based manner to ensure the safety of players and spectators,” he said. (AH)

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It will be back to the office from Tuesday, March 1, for public servants who were working from home over the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

And, while there will still be provisions for flexible work arrangements, these will only be facilitated in consultation with the heads and permanent secretaries of the relevant ministries and departments.

These changes were outlined by Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who joined a panel of speakers, including Minister of Health and Wellness, Ian Gooding-Edghill, and Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Senator Lisa Cummins, during a virtual COVID-19 update.

The decision for public servants to return to work was taken on Friday following a meeting with the Cabinet Subcommittee and the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ Emergency Operations Centre.

“…This is a significant departure, because as you know, over the course of the last two years, for the most part, we have had some level of remote activity. And even though in the third quarter of 2020, we saw increased attendance back at work, once Alpha became a reality at the beginning of 2021, for the most part last year, we had remote work in the public service.

“It is our judgment that it is safe for persons to return fully from the 1st of March,” Mottley explained.

However, she noted that there will still be elements of flexible work as existed prior to the establishment of the regime for the pandemic which was put forward by the Social Partnership and accepted by Government.

“Those persons who will partake in flexible work must receive the consent of their head of department and the permanent secretary. But it will not be a case of all persons operating from at home as happened in certain departments before,” she stressed.

The Prime Minister said these decisions were being taken as Barbados was now significantly in a better position in relation to the virus, but warned that the country was not yet out of the woods.

And, while she noted that there could be no normal after COVID-19, the time had come to returned to increased activity to allow people to live and pursue their lives with vigor, but doing so in a safe manner. “We cannot continue to live as if we have nothing else to do besides manage COVID,” she maintained.

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Police are investigating the unnatural death of 28-year-old Ashley Kadisha Kirton of Block No. 3 , Apartment 1, Valerie High Rise, Brittons Hill, St Michael.

Police discovered the lifeless body of the woman laying across her wheelchair around 3:35 p.m. on Saturday. Lawmen said there was a string around her neck.

Investigations are continuing.

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Travellers arriving at the Grantley Adams International Airport should encounter less congestion due to new procedures being implemented there, namely the acceptance of a one-day Rapid Antigen test for entry, and the launch of version two of the online Embarkation/Disembarkation (ED) form.

Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Senator Lisa Cummins, outlined the new procedures during a COVID-19 update at Ilaro Court on Saturday.  She acknowledged that the previous requirement of a negative PCR test result for entry into the island posed difficulty for persons attempting to access the test in North America.

“Visitors coming from our primary source markets have expressed difficulties with being able to access the appropriate tests to enter Barbados.  Barbadians, … returning home … have expressed difficulty, in particular coming out of the North American markets, in accessing the PCR tests required for Barbados,” she explained.

Senator Cummins noted that the Rapid Antigen Test was generally accepted as the test of choice by many other international markets, among them the United States and the United Kingdom.

She further explained that the difficulty experienced in identifying testing sites overseas for a PCR test led to the second issue, the congestion at Gates 14 – 16 on arrival in Barbados.

“Persons were found to have an unacceptable test and that resulted in retesting at Grantley Adams International Airport at Gates 14 -16.

By transitioning under the direction of the EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) and the Ministry of Health to accepting Rapid Antigen as is done in countries all around the world, that immediately eases that challenge, and travellers can avoid now incurring the cost in some instances of accessing first of all, a PCR test and in some instances, having to repeat that test on more than one occasion. We’re very happy to be able to afford visitors that ease of entry to Barbados while maintaining the safety at our borders,” the Tourism Minister reported.

To further ease congestion, Senator Cummins said passengers would return to walking from their aircraft via the foot path from Gate 13 to nine through the Arrivals Hall. However, travelers arriving at gates above number 13 would still have to use transportation. With regard to the updated online [Embarkation/Disembarkation] ED form, the Minister reported: “The new version two is being prepared. I believe that over the course of this weekend that draft is going to be presented to Mr. Abrams, Minister of Home Affairs for review.”

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Minister of Health and Wellness, Ian Gooding-Edghill, said officials were working towards “a purposeful re-introduction of sports within two weeks”, in a risk-based manner to ensure the safety of players and spectators.

And, Gooding-Edghill gave the assurance that his Ministry would continue to work with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment and the sporting bodies for the urgent re-introduction of sporting activities in Barbados.

The Minister made the comments Saturday during a COVID-19 Update and Press Conference. He disclosed that he had discussions with the Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Charles Griffith, along with representatives of several sporting disciplines on Friday, to receive their feedback, in preparation for the phased re-introduction of sporting events.

He told the country: “The Chief Medical Officer has indicated that the approach to be adopted will be a risk-based one, taking into consideration indoor versus outdoor activities and contact versus non-contact sports. As agreed at yesterday’s meeting, the Ministry of Health and Wellness submitted the risk-based metrics to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment for their examination, in consultation with their partners and stakeholders.

“We also decided that the governing bodies for sporting organisations who currently do not have protocols will urgently develop and submit their protocols to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment and to the COVID Monitoring Unit.”

Meanwhile, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kenneth George, indicated that the country was at the downslope of the Omicron wave, and in moving forward, persons would have to live safely with COVID.

“The Ministry of Health and the EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) have taken some decisions. Those decisions have been taken looking at public health internally, regionally and internationally. And I would like to assure you that those decisions are being taken cautiously and purposefully. At the same time, we are working with other entities across the public and private sector to make sure that our economy gets back on track.

“I am indeed happy that schools have re-opened; … based on a few visits to the airport, it appears that our visitor arrivals are up. So I think we are going in the right direction. I would just continue to urge Barbadians to do the tried and tested things that we have been saying for the past two years – physical distancing, that’s three feet; hands sanitisation; knowing your status if you have been exposed and getting vaccines which are available at multiple sites across Barbados,” Dr George urged.

Head of Isolation Facilities, Dr Corey Forde, said 22 persons were in the two intensive care units, which were being amalgamated as of today. He disclosed that three persons were on ventilator support, with two having a “very poor prognosis”.

Dr Forde stated that eight of the 15 elderly persons he had reported on recently had returned home, while three had died. He noted that an increasing number of elderly persons were coming for assessments when they contracted the virus.

“Since the last conversation, what we’ve seen… is a pickup in persons coming to the assessment centres…to be assessed. And in that particular (elderly) group, we have been able to pull…some individuals, and actually have them admitted for very short periods of time to correct things that if they were staying at home, for example, there probably might have been challenges.

“So, I want to congratulate you for that and continue to advise you, if you feel unwell, if you have any challenges with the elderly and you’re not sure, I’m asking you to continue to bring them in for assessment at our facilities,” Dr Forde advised. He also thanked the nurses for their tremendous work in the isolation facilities.

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Government is already seeking to put measures in place to cushion any likely fallout from the war that has broken out in the Ukraine with Russia.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley, outlined that the situation between the Ukraine and Russia could have implications for the cost of fuel and food, the supply of food and result in disruptions in the supply chain globally.

However, she noted that Barbados’ reserves stood at over $3 billion, representing about 37 weeks of import cover, giving the country the ability to have adequate buffer to deal with the capacity to manage any increased prices.

Fielding questions related to the unrest during a live COVID-19 Update and press conference, Mottley assured Barbadians that the situation was being monitored for some time, and meetings with the private sector had already taken place since last year.

In addition, she noted that efforts were being undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Security to boost food production in the country to ensure Barbados was in a better position to feed its citizens.

Mottley added that during her recent trip to Guyana, discussions were held about the urgent importance of having the Barbados/Guyana Food Terminal established.

She further noted that a recent Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) meeting also examined plans that would allow Barbados to produce 25 per cent of food that was currently being imported by 2025.

“The urgency of the moment with the Ukraine crisis is undoubtedly there. But we have been preparing for some time for this unstable world, which has led to increases in food prices…,” Mottley said.

The Prime Minister also disclosed that she would address the public in another two weeks on how Government intends to help contain cost of living issues, particularly as it relates to food. “It is not the worst news, but we are prepared to do what has to be done at the macro level and also with respect to cost of living for households as we go forward,” the Prime Minister assured.

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A male motorcyclist has died following a traffic collision this morning, police say.

The motorcyclist reportedly struck a wall along the Belle road in St Michael. He died on the spot.

The post Motorcyclist dies in traffic collision appeared first on Barbados Today.

Two COVID-19 related deaths, a 68-year-old vaccinated female and an 87-year-old unvaccinated male, were recorded on Saturday, February 26.

The number of deaths as a result of the viral illness now stands at 315.

Minister of Health and Wellness, Ian Gooding-Edgehill, has extended condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. (BGIS)

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A total of 129 new COVID-19 cases (64 females and 65 males) were identified by the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory, on Saturday, February 26, from the 1,029 tests conducted.

There were 15 persons under the age of 18, and 114 who were 18 years and older.

In isolation facilities, there were 73 persons, and in home isolation, 2,411.

Two deaths were recorded – a 68-year-old vaccinated female and an 87-year-old unvaccinated male.  The number of deaths as a result of the viral illness now stands at 315.

The public health laboratory has carried out 584,756 tests since February 2020, and recorded 55,031 COVID-19 cases – 25,559 males and 29,472 females. Under the National Vaccination Programme for COVID-19, the total number of persons with at least one dose is 160,064 (70.1 per cent of the eligible population).

The total number of persons who are fully vaccinated is 149,343 (55.1 per cent or 65.4 per cent of the eligible population).  The eligible population represents those persons who are 12 years and older.

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This Sunday, 27, February, right here on Barbados Today Facebook & YouTube, Barbadian and West Indies cricketer Jason Holder tells ALL.

Join Nikul Uttamchandani for an exclusive sit-down with the man himself as he shares the ups and downs of his cricketing journey with the world.
Tune in at 6 p.m. sharp!

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A motorcyclist who died in a traffic collision this morning has been identified as 33-year-old Jamal Shane Quintyne of 3rd Avenue, Licorish Village, My Lords Hill, St Michael.

Quintyne died on the spot when his motorcycle struck a wall along the Belle road in St Michael.

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Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Dale Marshall has issued the following statement on the issue of delays in releasing bodies for burial:

In recent days, I have heard growing concerns expressed about delays in releasing bodies for burial, as well as the conditions in which some bodies have been presented.  This has caused much anguish and has been preventing some families from getting closure in grieving for those who have passed away.

In seeking to address the issues, I have held discussions with representatives of the relevant agencies, namely the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the Coroner’s Office, the Barbados Police Service, the Forensic Sciences Centre, including the Government’s resident Forensic Pathologist, the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners and the Funeral Homes.

Arising out of the meeting, we have identified the issues which caused a backlog of post mortems and have resolved to make adjustments to the internal processes of the respective agencies in order to expedite the release of bodies.

In this regard, it was agreed that when a person passes away, as long as a doctor was willing to certify the death of that person as being of natural causes, then the funeral home selected by the family can collect the body.

With respect to unnatural deaths, the Coroner’s Office will continue to conduct post mortems into these cases and follow the arrangements in place for collection and transport of those bodies.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital has also resolved to expedite hospital autopsies performed at that institution.

I expect that these measures, when implemented, will go a long way to alleviating the backlog and allowing families to have timely closure on the passing of their loved ones.

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Police and fire officials are on the scene at Coles Cave, St Thomas where a person is reported missing.

Chief Fire Officer Errol Maynard is leading the rescue effort which began around 8 p.m.

(more details as they come to hand.)

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The Immunisation Unit encourages the public to take advantage of the COVID-19 vaccines which will be available this week.  The schedule for Monday, February 28 to Sunday, March 6, is listed below.

Monday, February 28

• Branford Taitt Polyclinic, Black Rock, St Michael – 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Glebe Polyclinic, The Glebe, St George – 1 to 3 p.m.
• St Philip Polyclinic, Six Roads, St Philip – 1 to 3 p.m.
• Eunice Gibson Polyclinic, Warrens, St. Michael – 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 1

• Branford Taitt Polyclinic, Black Rock, St Michael – 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Building No. 2, Harbour Industrial Park, St Michael – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Christ Church Parish Church Hall, Church Hill, Christ Church – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Edgar Cochrane Polyclinic, Wildey, St Michael – 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Glebe Polyclinic, The Glebe, St George – 1 to 3 p.m.
• Winston Scott Polyclinic, Jemmotts Lane, St Michael – 1 to 3 p.m.
• Eunice Gibson Polyclinic, Warrens, St Michael – 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 2

• St Philip Polyclinic, Six Roads, St Philip – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Branford Taitt Polyclinic, Black Rock, St Michael – 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Glebe Polyclinic, The Glebe, St George – 1 to 3 p.m.
• Winston Scott Polyclinic, Jemmotts Lane, St Michael – 1 to 3 p.m.
• Maurice Byer Polyclinic, Station Hill, St Peter – 1 to 4 p.m.
• Eunice Gibson Polyclinic, Warrens, St Michael – 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 3

• Branford Taitt Polyclinic, Black Rock, St Michael – 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Building No. 2, Harbour Industrial Park, St Michael – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Christ Church Parish Church Hall, Church Hill, Christ Church – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Edgar Cochrane Polyclinic, Wildey, St Michael – 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Glebe Polyclinic, The Glebe, St George – 1 to 3 p.m.

Friday, March 4

• David Thompson Health and Social Services Complex, Glebe Land, St John – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Maurice Byer Polyclinic, Station Hill, St Peter – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Branford Taitt Polyclinic, Black Rock, St Michael – 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Building No. 2, Harbour Industrial Park, St Michael – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Christ Church Parish Church Hall, Church Hill, Christ Church – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Glebe Polyclinic, The Glebe, St George – 1 to 3 p.m.

Saturday, March 5

• Winston Scott Polyclinic, Jemmotts Lane, St Michael – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sunday, March 6

• Building No. 2, Harbour Industrial Park, St. Michael – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Sinopharm and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be available at the polyclinics and vaccination centres at the scheduled times only. Students 12 to 18 years may visit any of the locations listed to receive the Pfizer vaccine.

Persons who wish to receive their first dose are advised to walk with their identification card. Those eligible for second doses should also travel with their blue vaccination card.

Booster shots for the AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Sinopharm vaccines will also be available for eligible persons who had their second injection six months ago or longer. Students 12 years and older are now eligible for the Pfizer booster.

Persons receiving the booster may present either their blue vaccination card or vaccination certificate and valid photo identification.  Those who were fully vaccinated overseas must also provide their vaccination cards and valid photo identification (passport or identification card). (BGIS)

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The Barbados Fire Service has enlisted the help of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) as the search continues for a missing person at Coles Cave, St Thomas.

In an update, acting Station Officer Mervin Small said the missing person was on a tour at the cave.

Small said fire officers are within the mouth of the cave awaiting assistance.

“We have reached out to the Barbados Defence Force for some assistance in search and rescue in the cave in an area where there is a severe amount of water and we don’t have the capacity at this time.

“The water is significant enough to hinder our crews from advancing without the necessary equipment,” he said.

A team of 15 officers, two rescue tenders and three appliances have responded to the incident.

(more details as they come to hand.)

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An intense near five-hour rescue effort by the Barbados Fire Service, the Barbados Defence Force and Police for a missing person at Coves Cave, St Thomas  last night paid off.

Around midnight, 17-year-old Sheadon Padmore emerged from the Cave unscathed into the arms of worried family members who were at the scene.

Padmore had gone on a tour of cave with friends earlier on Sunday.

“It was a rough journey but together we made it out. I want to apologise to my family for everything they went through. I know it is hard for them but we made it out.

“I want to say thanks to everybody for coming out tonight and getting me out of the cave safely,” said Padmore, who was in good spirits.

His grandmother Mardelle Bennett, who immediately hugged Padmore after he emerged from the cave, praised the efforts of the rescue team.

“I would like to thank everyone, the police, the taskforce, everybody. That went and bring my grandson out of that cave. I don’t know how I feel tonight, I feel so great to have my grandson back in the arms again. I thank everyone that he is alive and well.”

Padmore, who revealed that he has explored the cave about ten times or more said he was not afraid.

“The only problem for me was the light, had I had light down in the cave, I would have been back out ever since, but light was the problem for me but otherwise it was pretty ok, I came out unharmed. I wasn’t scared at all. I know the cave and I know my friends would not have left me down in there, so I tried to find my way to the exit because I know my friends would have  been there to help me out.”

Fire officials led by Chief Fire Officer Errol Maynard, three station officers and 12 other personnel led the rescue effort which was hindered by high water levels in the cave.

The team received assistance from the Barbados Defence Force.

Police Public Relations Officer Acting Inspector Rodney Inniss updated reporters at the scene.

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A 47-year-old man has lost his battle with COVID-19.
He was unvaccinated and passed away on Sunday, February 27. His death brings the number of casualties from the virus to 316.
Minister of Health and Wellness, Ian Gooding-Edghill, has extended condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. (BGIS)

The post Man, 47, dies from COVID-19 appeared first on Barbados Today.

There were 134 new COVID-19 cases, 61 males and 73 females, recorded on Sunday, February 27, from the 819 tests conducted by the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory.

Of the positive cases, 29 persons were under the age of 18, while 105 were 18 years and older.

The number of people in isolation facilities was 67, and 1,918 were in home isolation.

A 47-year-old unvaccinated man died from the virus on Sunday.

As at February 27, a total of 316 people had succumbed to the viral illness.

The public health laboratory has carried out 585,575 tests since February 2020, and recorded 55,165 COVID-19 cases (25,620 males and 29,545 females).

Under the National Vaccination Programme for COVID-19, the total number of persons with at least one dose is 160,091 (70.1 per cent of the eligible population).

The total number of fully vaccinated persons is 149,406 (55.1 per cent of the total population or 65.4 per cent of the eligible population).  The eligible population represents those persons who are 12 years and older. (BGIS)

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Residents and businesses across Barbados are encouraged to take part in the National Earthquake Preparedness Day on Friday, March 4.

This forms part of the activities to mark Coastal Hazards and Earthquake Smart Month, which begins on Tuesday, March 1, and ends on Thursday, March 31.

It will be held under the theme: Coastal Resilience, and is being hosted by the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), in collaboration with the Technical Standing Committee on Coastal Hazards.

The activity is designed to sensitise the public about the importance of earthquake and coastal hazard preparedness.

On March 4, a national alert will be sent at 10:00 a.m. to mobile phones via the CAP.CAP app, and members of the public will be asked to set alarms and choose how they decide to signal the earthquake simulation.

At this time, persons are expected to practise earthquake procedures for their home or office, and record video footage and upload to social media, tagging the DEM at Instagram.com/dem.barbados; Facebook.com/dem246, and at twitter.com/dem_barbados, using the hashtag #EarthquakeReady.

Persons who require additional information may call the DEM at 438-7575, or send an email to shanice.forte@barbados.gov.bb  and copy to deminfo@barbados.gov.bb. (BGIS) 

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Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 1, marks the start of Coastal Hazards and Earthquake Smart Month, and it will be observed under the theme: Coastal Resilience.

This year’s activities will kick off with a public service announcement campaign across all media outlets about the different coastal hazards, tsunamis, and earthquakes.

Then, on Friday, March 4, the public is invited to take part in National Earthquake Preparedness Day, from 10:00 a.m. This activity is designed to increase earthquake awareness among residents, and test earthquake procedures across the country.

To take part in this activity, persons are encouraged to activate an alert to signal an earthquake simulation at 10:00 a.m.  This may be done by setting off alarms or bells.

At this time, persons are expected to carry out their respective earthquake drill by practising the Drop, Cover and Hold procedure, and record video footage to social media, tagging the DEM.

On Thursday, March 10, the annual Caribe Wave Exercise will kick off from 10:00 a.m. as Barbados’ revised national tsunami warning protocols and emergency services communication systems are tested on land and sea.

In addition, there will be an increase of tsunami and earthquake procedures in businesses and schools across Barbados, and an improved emergency coordination within the marine sector.

This year’s exercise will be based on a scenario where a tsunami is triggered by a magnitude 7.9 earthquake along the Western Muertos Trough, and will take the form of a table top exercise and a scaled down evacuation drill, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The March Madness Game Show broadcast on the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation will air on Saturday, March 12, 19, and 26, at 8:00 p.m. The half-hour programme is designed to test persons’ knowledge of earthquake and tsunami hazards.

The game show will be held in three rounds – Round 1, Speed Round; Round 2, This or That, and Round 3, Scenarios. Members of the public are invited to get involved and learn more about the earthquake and tsunami hazards. (BGIS)

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