Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Abrahams on Tuesday night gave the go-ahead for business to resume in Barbados provided the appropriate cleaning of volcano ash was done to safeguard the health of both staff and patrons.
Abrahams provided the update via an audio message to the nation. Barbados was closed for a national cleanup on Monday and only essential services were in operation on Tuesday as citizens and residents continued to sweep, mop, shovel and blast mounds of volcano ash that was dumped on the island after La Soufriere volcano in St Vincent and the Grenadines erupted several times since last Friday.
“Retail and normal business can commence if you are in a position to do so,” Abrahams said. “This is contingent on you having been able to clean your premises sufficiently so your employees can work safely in them and patrons or customers can attend and do their business without threat to themselves or their health.”
Abrahams also announced given the delays to travel for those who were scheduled to leave the country, Government would not be charging for second or third PCR or rapid antigen tests for COVID-19. Those tests will be conducted at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium and at polyclinics.
People coming to Barbados are still required to have a negative COVID-19 test, but arrangements are being put in place for those to be done at the Grantley Adams International Airport. Visitors will be required to quarantine for five days at a designated quarantine hotel or the Paragon Base in Christ Church. Tests will be conducted over that time, with an eye toward the quarantine period ending on day six.
In the public sector:
- Fish markets are closed, but vendors can check on their fish boxes. Ice will be provided but no ice or fish will be sold to the general public.
- All markets are open with the exception of Cheapside. That is still being cleaned and is expected to reopen on Thursday.
- There will be limited opening of the Port.
- The Airport is closed.
- Polyclinics are open.
- The Queen Elizabeth Hospital is open.
Abrahams said another update would be provided on Wednesday in which details would be given on how to donate to St Vincent and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).
