Barbados to ease COVID restrictions further

(Barbados Nation) A new COVID-19 Directive will take effect from May 18 through June 7 and there will be an ease in restrictions for more groups.

Prime Minister, Mia Amor Mottley announced Emergency Management Directive No. 10 will continue from the previous one and among the changes, the physical distancing require for religious worship will decrease from six feet to three.

Fraternal organisations, private or social clubs, civic associations and political organisations may resume meetings of their membership provided that the protocols of mask wearing, sanitisation and physical distancing are strictly followed.

The maximum number of people who may attend, regardless of the capacity of the meeting place is limited to 100 unless special exemption is granted. In all other respects, all of the prohibitions contained in Clause 10 of Directive No. 9 relating to parties and the like will continue to be in force.

The drive-in and cinemas may open every day subject to the existing agreed protocols and photographers and videographers will be allowed to operate every day.

“Barbadians are reminded that although we are at a positivity rate of less than one per cent, we are not yet out of the woods and COVID-19 is a real and enduring concern. We must keep our guard up and follow all of the health protocols including the wearing of masks, frequent washing of hands and sanitizing and physical distancing,” a media release said.