Crowds gather outside supermarkets

Hundreds turned up at Popular supermarket Kendall Hill, Christ Church today after hearing that the supermarket was opening at 6 a.m. to accommodate people employed in the healthcare sector.

Many of them who were not frontline workers said they had camped out at the supermarket from 4 a.m. hoping to do some early shopping.

However, security at the supermarket said the doors would open at 8 a.m.

Doctors, nurses, maids and other frontline staff were upset, saying they had received notification they would be able to shop from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Many were not aware that Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS) subsequently sent a notice saying they would be allowed to shop from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

At Popular, as a result of the crowd, management created a separate entrance for frontline workers.

People were trying to beat the curfew which now goes into effect at 8 p.m. today instead of the previously announced 6 p.m. This was announced by Acting Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw yesterday as efforts continue to limit the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Despite repeated advisories, some Barbadians have not heeded the call to use physical distancing as a means of fighting the virus.

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