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COVID-19 Barbados

Last Updated by Totally Barbados: on May 6th, 2020 at 19:23 Barbados time.

Order 2020, Directive 4 Phase 2 (May 4-17)

The Government of Barbados’ Emergency Management COVID-19 Order, 2020

Directive 4 Phase 2 (May 4th-17th, 2020)

New Movement Information.

You may also download the document by clicking here at the Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS) or by Directive 4 Phase 2 at Totally Barbados.

Emergency Management (COVID-19) Curfew (No. 4) Directive 2020

WHEREAS by paragraph 15 of the Emergency Management (Covid-19) Order, 2020 (S.I. 2020 No. 16) it is provided that the Prime Minister on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer may issue a directive requiring every person within any area specified in the directive to remain indoors between such hours as may be specified:

AND WHEREAS a public health emergency exists in Barbados:

NOW THEREFORE by virtue of the power and the authority in me vested and on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer aforesaid I do hereby issue the following directive.

1. (1) A curfew is hereby imposed throughout Barbados from midnight on the 3rd day of May 2020 until midnight on the 17th day of May 2020 between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. each day.
(2) No person, except an employee or member of an essential service, shall leave his residence between 8:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. as specified in sub-paragraph (1).|
(3) Every employee or member of an essential service shall have on his person at all times, evidence of his employment or membership, as the case may be, of such a service.

2. (1) With effect from the 4th day of May 2020 to midnight on the 17th day of May 2020

(a) every person and business establishment shall comply with this directive; and

(b) every non-essential service shall remain closed, except the following, which may open only between the hours specified:

(i) auto marts between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (no prepared food items shall be sold);

(ii) automotive stores and workshops for vehicle repair, servicing, and sale of spare parts for motor vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.;

(iii) bakeries and bread depots for the sale of bread between 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.;

(iv) bakeries for the baking of bread between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.;

(v) banks and credit unions between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. every Monday, Tuesday and Friday and between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. every Wednesday and Thursday for the purpose of

(A) supporting automatic teller machines and card collection;

(B) facilitating internet banking, mobile banking, and point of sale transactions;

(D) facilitating wire transfers for essential services and international payments and clearings;

(E) facilitating local payment, clearing, and other operations as required for the banking system;

(F) contact centers that facilitate payments; (G) retail banking limited to cash and cheque

(G) retail banking limited to cash and cheque transactions;

(H) persons signing up for internet and mobile banking;

(I) persons signing up for night deposits and collection services;

(vi) beauty supply stores between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.;

(vii) bill payment services, such as SurePay between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.;

(viii) butchers’ shops between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.;

(ix) cleaning services that clean for essential services and businesses to which this paragraph applies, between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.;

(x) construction projects are permitted to recommence and all allied businesses that provide support to or inputs into the construction sector, including hardware and building supplies businesses, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.;

(xi) delivery companies between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.;

(xii) delivery services for groceries and medical supplies between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.;

(xiii) dry cleaning and laundry services, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.;

(xiv) farms between 5:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.;

(xv) finance and insurance companies between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.;

(xvi) food and beverage manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.;

(xvii) fuel manufacturers, fuel storage facilities and fuel distributors between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.;

(xviii) gasoline stations between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.;

(xix) hardware stores between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.;

(xx) hotels, villas and other rental accommodation (excluding gaming rooms, spas, gyms, and discotheques), restaurants open for room service only for the entire day;

(xxi) information technology support services, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.;

(xxii) landscape, gardening and pool services between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.;

(xxiii) legal, accounting and other professional services to support businesses, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.;

(xxiv) manufacturing companies for the entire day;

(xxv) mining (quarrying) and allied services such as trucking and excavating as needed;

(xxvi) pet shops and pet suppliers, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.;

(xxvii) pharmaceutical manufacturers, manufacturers of juices, soft drinks, and dairy products, food processors and food distributors between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.;

(xxiii) pharmacies for personal shopping and the filling of prescriptions between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.;

(xxix) printing supply stores between 8:00 a.m and 4:00 p.m.;

(xxx) private veterinary services as needed;

(xxxi) property management services, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.;

(xxxii) public markets within the meaning of section 2 of the Markets and Slaughter-Houses Act, Cap. 265, including fish markets, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.;

(xxxiii) restaurants for off-site delivery of food only;

(xxxiv) retailers of baby products, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.;

(xxxv) safety equipment stores between 8:00 a.m and 4:00 p.m.;

(xxxvi) sugar factories for the entire day;

(xxxvii) supermarkets and minimarts, between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.;

(xxxviii) tradesmen, as needed;

(xxxix) tire shops, wrecker services, and emergency personnel for vehicle response only, as needed;

(xl) vendors, including wayside vendors, for the sale of agricultural products only, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.;

(xli) vendors of computers, computer supplies, and peripherals on-line only;

(xlii) vendors of fabric for the sale of material for face masks only between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.;

(xliii) vendors of health and wellness supplies, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.;

(xliv) vendors of marine and fishing products, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.;

(xlv) vendors of office equipment and office supplies, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.;

(xlvi) vendors of security products and services, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.;

(xlvii) vendors of stationery and education supplies (but not book stores), between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.;

(xlviii) village shops between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

(2) The Public Service including Statutory Corporations will function as and when required in the direction of the Head of the Public Service.

(3) Ministry of Agriculture’s plant quarantine and veterinary services shall work as needed

(4) The following private sector essential services shall be open for the entire day

(a) electricity; and
(b) telecommunications.

(5) The owner or operator of every business establishment shall

(a) follow strict distancing protocols for staff and customers;

(b) restrict the number of persons within or outside that establishment at any one time in order to ensure that a distance of at least 6 feet is maintained between every person and also ensure that persons do not assemble otherwise than for the purpose of transacting business, and any owner or operator who contravenes this paragraph is liable to have his exemption revoked.

(6) Places of religious worship shall open only for

(a) the conduct of funeral services and weddings; and
(b) the streaming of religious services at which only 10 persons including the officiant shall be present.

(7) Every motor omnibus and every public service vehicle is limited to carrying only 60 percent of its seating capacity and no 2 passengers shall be allowed to sit side by side and the driver, conductor, and passengers on such a vehicle shall wear face masks.

(8) Every motor omnibus and public service vehicle shall be sanitized after putting down passengers and before picking up new passengers at the following terminals:
(a) Oistins;
(b) Princess Alice;
(c) Fairchild Street;
(d) Constitution Road; and
(e) Speightstown.

(9) No person shall host or attend
(a) a private party;
(b) a recreational or competitive sporting event;
(c) a wedding other than the bride, the bridegroom, official witnesses, and the marriage officer;
(d) a banquet, ball or reception;
(e) any social event;
(f) a meeting of a fraternal society, private or social club, or civic association or organization.

(10) No person shall visit any place of quarantine or an isolation station.

(11) No person shall transmit a video recording or audio recording of any person or in any way make known to the public the identity of any person who is in a quarantine or isolation station.

(12) No person shall visit a prison or a Government Industrial School.

(13) Private businesses and offices shall only continue their operations where the employees can work exclusively from their homes.

(14) Beaches shall be opened from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. only

(a physical distance of at least 6 feet shall be observed between individuals unless they are members of the same household). Parks shall be closed.

(15) The sale of intoxicating liquor shall be permitted on licensed premises only but consumption on such premises is prohibited. (For the avoidance of doubt Bars shall remain closed.)

(16) Any person may leave his residence

(a) to purchase medical and pharmaceutical supplies and to have a prescription filled;
(b) to seek medical, dental or ophthalmic attention; or
(c) to work in, or transact business with, an essential service or a business that is exempt from this directive.

(17) No person shall leave his residence to go to

(a) a bank or credit union to do banking business;
(b) a public market, including a fish market, to purchase fruit, vegetables, fish, and meat;
(c) a hardware store or other retail operator; and
(d) a supermarket or a minimart, to purchase groceries,

except in accordance with the conditions set out in the Schedule.

(18) No group exceeding 3 persons who are not members of the same household shall remain outdoors unless they are within the curtilage of a residence.

(19) Notwithstanding paragraph (18), no more than 5 members of the same household shall remain outdoors as a group except in the curtilage of their residence.

(20) No more than 20 mourners, one officiant, and the funeral director and the necessary staff shall attend a funeral. (

21) No group exceeding 3 persons who are not members of the same household are permitted to exercise beyond the curtilage of their residence and they must adhere to physical distancing.

(22) No more than one person at any time shall visit a patient in a hospital, nursing home, senior citizens’ home, and facilities for the treatment of persons with addiction or a dependency on drugs or a narcotic substance.

(23) Subject to the provisions of this Directive, every person shall remain in the confines of his residence and its curtilage.

(24) Notwithstanding any provision of this Directive, no person shall leave his residence unless he has with him, his Barbados Identification Card, his driving license or his passport, or some other means of picture identification.

(25) Every person shall present one of the means of identification mentioned in paragraph (24) when requested to do so by a person in authority.

(26) A person who contravenes this Directive without reasonable explanation is guilty of an offense and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $50 000 or to imprisonment for a term of one year or to both pursuant to paragraph 15(1) of the Emergency Management (COVID-19) Order, 2020.

(27) This Directive shall come into effect on the 4th day of May 2020.

SCHEDULE

(Paragraph (17))

Conditions under which persons may leave their residence

(1) Every person whose surname begins with the

(a) letter A or B shall only leave his residence to go to

(i) a bank or a credit union, every Monday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.; and
(ii) a hardware store, public market, including a fish market and any other retail operator,
(A) every Monday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.; and
(B) every Friday between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and closing time; and
(iii) a supermarket and minimart
(A) every Monday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.; and
(B) every Friday between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and closing time; and

(b) letter C, D, E or F shall only leave his residence to go to
(i) a bank or a credit union, every Wednesday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.; and
(ii) a hardware store, public market, including a fish market and any other retail operator,
(A) every Wednesday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.; and
(B) every Saturday between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and closing time; and
(iii) a supermarket and minimart
(A) every Wednesday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.; and
(B) every Saturday between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and closing time; and
(c) letter G, H, I, J or K shall only leave his residence to go to
(i) a bank or a credit union, every Thursday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.; and
(ii) a hardware store, public market, including a fish market and any other retail operator,
(A) every Thursday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.; and
(B) every Monday between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and closing time; and
(iii) a supermarket and minimart
(A) every Thursday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.; and
(B) every Monday between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and closing time; and

(d) letter L, M, N, O, P, Q or R shall only leave his residence to go to

(i) a bank or a credit union, every Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.; and
(ii) a hardware store, public market, including a fish market and any other retail operator,
(A) every Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.; and
(B) every Tuesday between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and closing time; and
(iii) a supermarket and minimart
(A) every Friday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 12 noon; and
(B) every Tuesday between the hours of 12 noon and closing time; and

(e) letter S, T, U, V, W, X, Y or Z shall only leave his residence to go to
(i) a bank or a credit union, every Wednesday between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.; and
(ii) a hardware store, public market, including a fish market and any other retail operator,
(A) every Saturday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.; and
(B) every Wednesday between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and closing time; and
(iii) a supermarket and minimart
(A) every Saturday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.; and
(B) every Wednesday between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and closing time.

(2) Every person who is 70 years of age or older, or who is disabled, notwithstanding the first letter of his surname, shall only leave his residence to go to
(a) a bank or a credit union, every Tuesday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.; and
(b) a hardware store, public market, including a fish market and any other retail operator,
(i) every Sunday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.; and
(ii) every Tuesday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.; and
(c) a supermarket and minimart
(i) every Sunday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.; and
(ii) every Tuesday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

(3) Every person who is healthcare or another essential worker, notwithstanding the first letter of his surname, shall only go to
(a) a bank or a credit union, every Thursday between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.; and
(b) a hardware store, public market, including a fish market and any other retail operator,
(i) every Sunday between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.; and
(ii) every Thursday between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and closing time; and
(c) a supermarket and minimart
(i) every Sunday between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and closing time; and
(ii) every Thursday between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and closing time.

(4) This Schedule does not apply to village shops, the purchase of inputs for construction projects, or pharmacies.

Made by the Prime Minister this 30th day of April 2020.

S BRADSHAW
Acting Prime Minister

Source: https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/download/official-gazette-may-2-2020-part-a-no-45/

Notices about Coronavirus COVID-19 for Barbados
All events and activities in Barbados have been postponed until May 17th, 2020. This date may be extended

Timeline of COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

Tuesday, May 12th, 2020 – As per the Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS) – A 31-year-old Barbadian male is the latest COVID-19 positive case in Barbados.His case is currently being investigated by the Ministry of Health and Wellness since he has no recent travel history nor can he be linked to any known contacts.
His was the only positive result among 177 tests conducted by the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory yesterday.
There are now 85 cases of COVID-19 – 44 females and 41 males. The number of persons in isolation has moved to 21, while the number of recovered persons remains at 57. There have been seven deaths.
The public health laboratory has now completed 3,185 tests.
As the phased reopening of businesses and the public sector continues, CEO of the Transport Board Fabian Wharton is today reminding the public of strict guidelines as it relates to commuting.
“With more people beginning to report to work, we expect to see incremental increases in ridership,” said Wharton.
He continued, “We are still in the midst of a public health emergency, and in accordance with the curfew directive we are reminding persons that it is compulsory for all passengers to wear face masks when riding the buses.”

COVID-19 Barbados Statistics for May 13th, 2020.

Thursday, April 30th, 2020 – Healthcare Workers Urged To Self-Care – Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS).

Thursday, April 30th, 2020 – Functioning Of Government Offices Post Curfew – Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS).

Thursday, April 30th, 2020 – According to the Barbados Government Information Service – a 32-year-old Barbadian male is the latest COVID-19-positive patient. He was among one hundred and fifty-five (155) people tested yesterday. Of the one hundred and twenty-two (122) results returned so far by the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory, he is the only positive.

He brings the number of persons in isolation to thirty-eight (38) and the number of confirmed cases in Barbados to eighty-one (81), forty-three (43) females, and thirty-eight (38) males. No-one was released from isolation today, so those numbers remain at thirty-nine (39). The public health laboratory has now conducted two thousand, one hundred and sixty (2,160) tests since February 11, 2020.

Thursday, April 30th, 2020 – Healthcare Workers Urged To Self-Care – Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS).
Thursday, April 30th, 2020 – Functioning Of Government Offices Post Curfew – Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS).

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020 – Christiane Amanpour on CNN International (CNNI) featured Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley on CNN. See a recording of the live interview below from Bridgetown, Barbados. Prime Minister of Barbados and Chairman of CARICOM, Mia Amor Mottley, has described the effects of the coronavirus on this island and the region as “the most destabilizing event”, probably since World War II.

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley Addresses To The Nation on matters of national importance – 29th April 2020.

Monday, April 27h, 2020 – According to the Barbados Government Information Service – All one hundred and seventeen (117) staff members at the National Assistance Board (NAB) who were tested for COVID-19 were negative for the viral illness, and tests are on-going. Their results were included in the 161 negative results returned by the Best dos-Santos Public Health Laboratory this morning.
So far 156 employees of the NAB have been tested after a member of the administrative staff, stationed at the Country Road, St. Michael headquarters, tested positive for COVID-19 on April 14th, 2020. Since then four (4) others, also stationed at Country Road, have tested positive, leading to a decision by Government to test all NAB employees at headquarters as well as the other locations. Forty-six staff members are being tested today and tomorrow is expected to be the final day of testing. The five positive cases are in isolation.
Meanwhile, seven persons (7) will be released from isolation today after receiving negative results twice over a 48-hour period. This brings the number of persons in isolation down to thirty-four (34) and the persons who have now recovered to thirty-nine (39). The number of confirmed cases remains at seventy-nine (79) and six (6) deaths have been recorded.The Best dos-Santos Public Health Laboratory has now completed 1663 tests since testing began on February 11.
Barbados Nation News – Barbados is not accepting any commercial flights or passengers, says Terry Layne, acting chief executive officer of Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) Inc.

Sunday, April 26th, 2020 – Loop Barbados News – The people and government of Barbados received a heartfelt “Thank You” from the Aida Perla cruise ship for the hospitality shown over the past month.

The cruise ship arrived at the Bridgetown Port shortly after the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) announced the temporary suspension of cruise ship operations in March.

During that time, the Aida Perla has worked with the Bridgetown Port, and local Port agents Foster and Ince and Platinum Port Agents, to complete complex operations to repatriate passengers and crew.

Throughout their stay, the Port continued to provide intensive operational support to the vessel and its captain and crew while working closely with the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) and cruise partners Carnival Cruise lines as the parent company.

Before saying farewell and setting sail from the Bridgetown Port on Friday (April 24) night, the Aida Perla’s remaining onboard crew wanted to say thank you to Prime Minister Mia Mottley and the Barbadian people who welcomed them.

The crew staged a light display with the message “Thank You BB” while crew members shouted the words from the deck.

The people and government of Barbados received a heartfelt “Thank You” from the Aida Perla cruise ship for the hospitality shown over the past month.

Friday, April 24th, 2020 – As it seeks to expand testing, the Ministry of Health and Wellness has revised its criteria for COVID-19 testing referral. It is anticipated that “scaled up” testing will improve case detection for earlier diagnosis and containment of the viral illness. Medical practitioners on the island have been advised to refer all clients displaying the following symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 to be considered for testing:– Fever
— Respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath)
— Fatigue
— Anosmia (loss of smell)
— Ageusia (loss of taste)
— and gastrointestinal complaints (anorexia, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain). Source: Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS)
Friday, April 24th, 2020 – COVID-19 Czar says too many people on the streets – Czar, Richard Carter has expressed frustration with the number of Barbadians who are not strictly adhering to the regulations of the 24-curfew. While acknowledging that there has been some compliance to the measures, Carter contended that some Barbadians were acting as if it was business as usual as they traversed around the island. Source: Loop Barbados News

Thursday, April 23rd, 2020 – According to the Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS) – the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Barbados remains at seventy-six (76). Six (6) people have succumbed to the viral illness. Three (3) more people will be released from isolation today after testing negative for COVID-19 twice over a 48-hour period.

Three (3) more people will be released from isolation today after testing negative for COVID-19 twice over a 48-hour period.
The number of recovered persons has now increased to thirty (30) and the number of persons still in isolation has dropped to forty (40).
Meanwhile, of the sixty (60) tests performed by the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory yesterday, there were no new positive results.
Since testing started in Barbados on February 11, the public health laboratory has conducted 1222 tests.
Barbados has recorded its sixth death to COVID-19 according to the Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS) https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/blog/sixth-covid-19-death-one-more-positive-test/
The Ministry of Health and Wellness has reported that the deceased is a 70-year-old CARICOM national who resided in Barbados. The diabetic gentleman became infected by a known case who traveled abroad. He was diagnosed and admitted into isolation on April 1. However, he passed away around 9:00 this morning at the Harrison Point Facility in St. Lucy. Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kenneth George, expressed his deepest condolences to the wife, family, and friends of the deceased on behalf of the Government and people of Barbados.
In addition, a 66-year-old Barbadian woman became the first person to test positive for COVID-19 after a six-day lull in cases on the island. She contracted the virus after being in contact with a known case on April 14. Aggressive contact tracing has begun.
This brings the total number of positive cases to 76 – 39 females and 37 males.
Sixty-four (64) tests were conducted by the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory yesterday, thirty-three (33) of which were conducted on the Trinidadian contingent, who left the island later in the day. They all tested negative for COVID-19.
On April 20, Minister of Health and Wellness, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bostic, announced that the Ministry of Health and Wellness would broaden testing for COVID-19.
He also said that testing centers would be established across the island and would include all the polyclinics. Increased testing for COVID-19 is part of the Ministry’s strategy to ensure that community transmission is not taking place in Barbados.
The total number of tests conducted by the laboratory since February 11, now stands at 1,162. Two persons will also be released from isolation today after they tested negative twice within a 48-hour period.
To date, 27 persons have recovered. There are now 43 persons in isolation.

Tuesday, April 22nd, 2020 – For the sixth (6th) consecutive day, there were no new cases of COVID-19 recorded in Barbados. However, two more persons will be released from isolation today after testing negative twice within a 48-hour period. Their results were among the 35 tests conducted by the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory, which brought the total number of tests carried out by this facility to 1098. The island’s tally of confirmed cases remains at 75. Of these, 45 persons continue to stay in isolation, 25 persons have recovered and five have died.
Education – According to BarbadoosToday – eLearning begins at colleges and private schools in Barbados. Online teaching is underway at all tertiary institutions and most private schools, the Barbados Ministry of Education has declared, even as it is yet to declare if and when the third term of the school year is to begin.All public schools are this week preparing to roll out online teaching using the Google G Suite for Education platform which is accessed from any PC, laptop, tablet, or smart mobile device, the ministry said. Additionally, while the ministry works with providers and suppliers to ensure every child has internet access and devices to use the new eLearning platform, it will also be using radio and television in the interim to provide educational content to ensure that students are not disadvantaged, the ministry said.
During the recent Easter break, the ministry’s information technology coordinators have been training about eighty (80) teachers in the use of the eLearning platform, the education ministry said. But schools and teachers are expected to avoid introducing new concepts during the eLearning process once they begin to use the Google G Suite Classroom – at least for now. The ministry said: “This week provides an opportunity to identify any issues with the Google Classroom that need to be addressed and to ensure that all teachers are comfortable with this new emergency response teaching platform.””It also allows the Ministry of Education an opportunity to finalize protocols for teachers, students, and parents to operate in an online environment.”The ministry said it was aware that the e-learning environment was new to teachers, students, and parents, but pointed out it would be “an exciting learning experience for all”.It also asked all parties to be patient “as we work to ensure that the nation’s children are not disadvantaged during this period of shut down”.
PAHO/WHO presented 11,000 COVID-19 tests and 782 PPE kits to Minister of Health and Wellness, Lieutenant Col. Jeffrey Bostic today. BGIS – https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/blog/paho-who-donates-covid-19-test-kits-equipment/
Virtual Classroom For Public Officers – The Learning and Development Directorate (LDD) of the Ministry of the Public Service will shortly be using its virtual classroom to provide learning in multiple areas for public officers. https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/blog/virtual-classroom-for-public-officers/

Tuesday, April 21st, 2020 – According to BarbadoosToday – with 2,800 swabs and 27,000 testing kits now available, Barbados will be ramping up testing for COVID-19, Minister of Health and Wellness Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic declared today. Additionally, he disclosed the number of available testing kits had increased from 500 to 27,000.
He sought to give the assurance that although there have been no new positive tests for COVID-19 in the last five days, Government is not letting up in its fight against the deadly virus that has so far claimed about 170,000 lives globally, as the retired soldier repeated his mantra: “no retreat, no surrender”.
He said even though there had been a decrease in the number of people testing positive, the authorities will be testing more people daily.
So far, the nation’s public health laboratory has conducted 1,063 tests – merely 0.37 percent of the total estimated population of 287,375 – with five deaths from 75 positive tests.
He said a further four people had been released from isolation today after returning negative tests, bringing the number of recoveries to 23.
The Minister said 47 remained in isolation, with only one person being ventilated.
He encouraged Barbadians to continue to maintain best practices.
The Ministry of Education started to officially roll out its Google GSuite for Education online learning platform this week. https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/blog/no-exact-dates-for-start-of-term-or-exams/
Effective immediately gas station operators will discontinue the use of the alphabet system of surnames for the purchase of gasoline, diesel, kerosene, liquified petroleum gas, and cellular top-ups.
Grocery shopping at supermarkets and minimarts may now start at 7 am and run until 4 pm, while maintaining the previously mentioned break at 11:00 a.m. Supermarket operators can continue to process shoppers in the queues at the cut off times.
In light of the public holidays on April 28 (Heroes Day) and May 1 (May Day), individuals who would have shopped on those days using the alphabetical system will now be permitted to shop during the times allocated to essential workers, on Sunday, April 26, between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and on Thursday, April 30, between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. These time slots have been selected based on feedback from operators of supermarkets, who note that the shopping traffic has been quite manageable at those times.
Ms. Bradshaw reminded that a strict curfew remains in place between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., except for essential services.

Sunday, April 19th, 2020 – No NIFCA Or Crop Over Festival For 2020 – (https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/blog/no-nifca-or-crop-over-festival-for-2020/)
This is the fourth (4th) consecutive day that Barbados has recorded no new cases of the viral illness. The tally of infected persons remains at seventy-five (75) out of a total of 1,035 tests carried out by the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory since February 11. Barbados has recorded five deaths since April 4. There are 51 persons in isolation.
(https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/blog/covid-19-update-fourth-straight-day-of-negative-tests/)
Owners and managers of restaurants are reminded that these businesses are not to be operating during the curfew period. The Emergency Management COVID-19 Curfew (No.3) Directive, 2020, states that “all private businesses and ofﬁces shall only continue their operations where the employees can work exclusively from their homes”. They are also asked to note that “any person who contravenes this Directive without reasonable explanation is guilty of an offense and is liable on summary conviction to a ﬁne of $50, 000 or to imprisonment for a term of one year or to both”.

Wednesday, April 14th, 2020 – Fifth (5th) Death recorded in Barbados – COVID – 19 Updates
Since April 4th, four (4) men and one (1) woman have succumbed to the viral illness. The number of COVID-19 positive cases in Barbados now stands at seventy-three (73), with one new case reported today out of twenty-two (22) tests yesterday. The latest patient is a forty-eight (48) year-old man, who came into contact with a known medical-case.
Meanwhile, the number of persons who have recovered rose to fifteen (15) after two more persons left isolation today, after receiving two negative test results.
Fifty-three (53) people remain in isolation. The number of tests carried out by the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory since February 11 is eight hundred and sixty-four (864).

Saturday, April 12th, 2020 – We try to provide a lot of helpful information about the Coronavirus and COVID-19 in Barbados. If you are searching for more information please feel free to visit other information services such as:
The Government Information Service (BGIS) at https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/covid-19/
Especially the Emergency Management (COVID-19) Curfew (No. 2) Directive, 2020 in which Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley last night announced that the curfew, in place since April 3, will be extended until midnight May 3, 2020.
COVID-19: Barbadians to shop by surname during extended curfew weeks – find schedules here: https://www.totallybarbados.com/gallery/notices-coronavirus-covid-19/
Active Cases of COVID-19 in Barbados = Seventy-one (71) infected
Deaths = Four (4)
Persons Recovered from virus = Eleven (11)
Fifty-six (56) persons are still infected and in isolation
Thirty-five (35) are Male
Thirty-six (36) are Females

Saturday, April 11th, 2020 – Address to the nation by the honorable Mia Mottley, Q.C. M.P., Prime Minister on matters of national importance in Barbados.
Barbados 24-Hour Curfew to be extended from April 15th to now May 3rd, 2020. The first day we hope people can get back to work would be May 4th, 2020.
Active Cases of COVID-19 = Sixty-eight (68) infected
Deaths = Four (4)
Persons Recovered from virus = Eleven (11)
Fifty-three (53) persons are still infected
Thirty-three (33) are Male
Thirty-five (35) are Females
Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory has now conducted 747 test in total

IMPORTANT: To see the complete Shopping Schedules for Supermarkets, Fish Markets, and Hardware Stores visit our notices within our photo gallery. Viewing these files will clearly give you all the details and times when people are allowed to hope at the grocery stores.

Shopping Schedule for Supermarkets, Fish Markets and Hardware Stores

Two (2) times a week maximum, and if possible one or zero times if not absolutely necessary.

Shopping Schedules for Fishing Markets Hardware Stores for COVID-19 Barbados 24-hour Curfew until May 3rd, 2020.

Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 – Ninety-five (95) year-old man is third death from COVID-19 in Barbados. According to the Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS), a 95-year-old man, who was very ill when he presented with symptoms of COVID-19 last Sunday, passed away early this morning, becoming the third Barbadian to die from the viral illness. The deceased was infected after coming into contact with a known case.

Isolation Facilities Manager, Dr. Corey Forde, further announced that three out of 45 persons tested yesterday were positive, bringing the tally of cases in Barbados to 63. The Ministry of Health and Wellness identified the three new cases as Barbadians – a 28-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman, who returned from overseas, and a 33-year-old woman, who is the wife of a known case. Currently in isolation are 53 persons. Dr. Forde reported that three of them, who are on ventilators at the Enmore facility, were critically ill, including a 52-year-old man, who the medical professional deemed extremely ill, with the added complication of diabetes.We thank [email protected]for her daily updates on the Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS).
Further detailed information about access To Food Supplies During Curfew can be downloaded here: https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/download/access-to-food-supplies-during-curfew/.

Monday, April 6th, 2020 – According to Barbados Today and the Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS), “Four persons tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, bringing the total number of persons who have tested positive for the viral illness since March 16 to sixty (60) – thirty-one 31 females and twenty-nine (29) males.
Of those, 52 remain in isolation; six (6) have been released and two (2) have passed away. Their ages range from seven-years-old (7) to nighty-five (95).The new cases include a nighty-five (95) year-old male, who is critically ill. The others are a forty-seven (47) year-old female, who was infected by a known contact; and a fifty-seven (57) year-old female and an eighty-four (84) year-old female, who traveled abroad. A total of thirty (30) tests were done yesterday at the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory, and five hundred and fifty-seven (557) have been carried out since testing started on February 11, 2020. (BGIS)”.

Sunday, April 5th, 2020 – Palm Sunday – Barbados recorded its first death of COVID-19 by an eighty-one (81) year-old Barbadian man who arrived in Barbados on March 22nd, 2020 and was under home quarantine. He was tested positive yesterday, Saturday, April 4th, 2020. The now, deceased man deteriorated rapidly with pneumonia and diabetes. The Government of Barbados wishes the deepest condolences to the deceased. His wife is generally stable but was admitted to a medical facility for precautions.
One (100) Cuban specialists and nurse will arrive today in Barbados to assist in the medical efforts. We thank the Republic of Cuba.
A new medical facility at Harrisons Point is being outfitted – a two hundred and twenty (220) bed location – will be opened and outfitted with required medical equipment in the shortest possible time. Thirty-eight (38) with ventilation capacity. Ventilators have been arriving daily for the past two (2) weeks. Thus far, only three (3) ventilators were required in the treatment of Barbados COVID-19 patients. An order of one hundred and fifty (150) ventilators have been paid for and waiting for shipment.
The emergence of isolation of six (6) persons who have recovered by COVID-19 in Barbados.
Chief Medical Officer states that as of April 4th, 2020
Five hundred and twenty-seven (527) laboratory tests have been performed
Fifty-six (56) positive cases
Twenty-eight (28) males
Twenty-eight (28) women
One patient is seven (7) years old
The eldest patient is eighty-three (83) years old
Majority cases are mild to moderate conditions.
Testing continues in Barbados with efforts to contact, trace, and contain future cases.
Guyana 1.4 million Paid for ventilators but ceased in the USA – exportation of ventilators – five (5) ventilators sent by Rihanna – 20 ventilators were ceased.
First Paragon campus: all stable 19 patients – 4 patients being discharged today, three (3) males and one (1) female
Second Enmore campus: Four (4) patients – three (3) female and one (1) male – three (3) on ventilators, other two (2) are in critical condition
Third campus: Blackman and Gallop – are looking after twenty (20) patients, two (2) have been discharged, one (1) male and one (1) female, while three (3) remain in under intensive care

A large amount of COVID-19 positive patients in Barbados are walking around and feeling well. All three (3) critical care patients are on ventilators, have diabetes, and hypertension, which are similar conditions to the eight-one (81) year old who was the first to recorded death in Barbados.

One COVID-19 patient is seven (7) years old but is doing very well and are listed as mild cases. Barbados does not expect an increase in cases. The shutdown period was determined by other factors and not an incubation period.

Friday, April 3rd, 2020, at 8 pm – until midnight on the 14th day of April 2020, every non-essential service shall remain closed. Except for the following, which may open only between the hours specified (see Business Hours Below), all government ministries, departments, and statutory corporations will be closed until 6 am on 15 th April the end of the current period of restriction. The only exception to this order will be those public services designated as essential services, which shall open between 9 am and 6 p.m, and only employees assigned as necessary may go to the office. All other staff shall remain at home. The owner and operator of every business establishment shall restrict the number of persons within or outside that establishment at any one time to ensure that a distance of at least six feet is maintained between every person.
Download the Emergency Management (COVID-19) Curfew (No. 2) Directive, 2020, on the Barbados Government Information Service website. The Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS) is the official communications arm of the Barbados Government.

Wednesday, April 1st, 2020 at 7 pm – address to the Nation of Barbados, by Acting Prime Minister Hon Santia Bradshaw.
Wednesday, April 1st, 2020, at 5 pm – the number of COVID-19 cases globally stood at 928,000, with more than 46,000 deaths. COVID-19 is now affecting 203 countries and territories – around the world.

Tuesday, March 31st, 2020 – Barbados have done 382 laboratory tests for COVID-19, of which 45 have been positive.

Sunday, March 29th, 2020 – the Minister of Health of Barbados announced thirty-three (33) confirmed cases of COVID-19 within its borders.

Saturday, March 28th, 2020 – 8 p.m – Island-wide Curfew Begins

Friday, March 27th, 2020 – the Parliament of Barbados passed an amendment to the Emergency Management Act, and the Government announced several restrictions including — the limit of public and private sector activity to several identified essential services;– a restriction on the hours of operation for public and private sector agencies;
— the imposition of a curfew period from 8.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m.;
— and an appeal to Barbadians to restrict movement outside of their homes to the absolute minimum required to meet essential needs and to observe the now-familiar basics of physical distancing when they do so.

Thursday, March 26th, 2020 – the Prime Minister of Barbados Hon Mia Amor Mottley addressed you on the state of the COVID-19 response in Barbados announcing that the country had registered 24 cases and that the Cabinet of Barbados had agreed to an immediate declaration of Stage 3 of the National Pandemic Response Plan.

Sunday, March 22nd, 2020, all visitors arriving from the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States are placed in quarantine for 14 days, regardless of if they are showing any symptoms of coronavirus. Citizens and residents of Barbados are subject to a home-quarantine and are confined to their places of residence during curfew hours. The Government of Barbados is conducting thermal screening at airports and seaports.

Monday, March 16th, 2020 – Barbados identified its first case of COVID-19 on March 16 this year (and since then have witnessed an almost daily increase in the number of cases).

Quarantine

As the majority of new cases of COVID-19 have been identified as imported – persons residing in Barbados who have recently traveled abroad and returned; the Government of Barbados has decided to implement the following additional measures under the Emergency Management Act:

With immediate effect, a mandatory 14-day quarantine in a government facility will be placed on all persons entering Barbados, irrespective of the port of origin or port of entry

Business Hours

8 am to 5 pm – Abattoirs, butcher shops, and fish markets
6 am – 4 pm – Bakeries
5 am – 4 pm – Farms
8 am to 5 pm – Pharmaceutical manufacturers; manufacturers of juices, soft drinks, and dairy products; food processors and food distributors
9 am to 5 pm – Banks, Credit Unions, and other financial institutions excluding insurance companies only to support the automatic teller machines
7 am to 6 pm – Cleaning Services
11 am to 5 pm – Restaurants for drive-through or take away services only; no dining on-premise
7 am to 5 pm – Fuel manufacturers, fuel storage facilities and fuel distributors
9 am to 5 pm – Wholesale and retail grocery stores, mini-marts and village shops
7 am to 5 pm – Gas Stations
8 am to 5 pm – Delivery services for meals, groceries, and medical supplies
Twenty-four hours – Hotels, villas, and other rental accommodations can operate but are NOT allowed to provide ancillary and recreational activities, such as gaming rooms, discos, salons, spas, restaurants (except for taking away and room service), golf courses, and lawn tennis.
24 hours – Portvale Sugar Factory is excluded from the curfew
As needed – Private veterinary services
All construction companies must cease to operate EXCEPT for work taking place at Harrison’s Point Quarantine & Isolation Facility. Therefore, construction work on residential and commercial properties is not allowed during this period. Hardware stores must be closed except for the limited purpose of supplying goods to the Harrison’s Point Quarantine & Isolation Facility ONLY.

Curfew

Barbados has upgraded to Stage 3 of the national response plan – its highest level and moving to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and a curfew is in effect on the Caribbean island of Barbados.

Curfew Start Date: March 28th, 2020 – 8 p.m. through 6 a.m., in the first instance
Curfew End Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2020, (now extended to May 3rd, 2020)
This duration may be extended.
The curfew will be in place for two weeks unless extended.
No person may host or attend a private party, sporting event, or attend a public gathering during this curfew.
Visits by members of the public to all public and private geriatric institutions have been suspended until further notice.
Limited movement during the day
Continue to practice physical distancing of six feet between persons

Barbados COVID-19 Hotline Phone Number

Barbados has established a COVID-19 information hotline that can be reached at +1 246-536-4500.

All Notices on Coronavirus Covid-19 - Totally Barbados

Closures

The Barbados Government has announced that all businesses with a few exceptions are closed from Saturday, March 28th, 2020, 20:00 local time until April 2020.
All non-essential businesses are to remain closed across the island until Wednesday, April 15, 2020.
Businesses in the private sector will be closed from March 28th, 2020 by 8:00 pm until 15 April 2020,
Excluded companies by the government, such as groceries, pharmacies, gas stations, and farms, with specific allowed operating hours for each type of business.
Restaurants can open but only for drive-through and take away services.
People contradicting the order without a reasonable explanation will be liable to a fine of BBD 50,000, 1-year in prison, or both.
Sandals Resorts will be temporarily closing all its hotels between March 30th and May 15th, 2020.
Coconut vendors are not included in the list of businesses allowed to operate when businesses close from 8:00 tonight.
Snowcone, coconut, roadside, fruit and vegetable vendors are not included in the list of businesses allowed to operate when businesses close from 8:00 tonight, as Government moves to curb the spread of COVID-19.”Our priority is on keeping Barbadians safe, and to do that, we have to reduce the number of people on the road. And we will make exemptions if it relates to vital things,” he said, noting they were prepared to make exemptions in appropriate cases. However, coconut, roadside, snow cone, fruit, and vegetable vendors do not fall into that category.”We always have to consider what is the proximity risk that is associated with these things. I am happy to discuss it, but I think that is proximity with the person who is purchasing snow cones and is probably a proximity risk to several other kinds of enterprises,” he said.

Essential Services during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

Only businesses deemed necessary will be exempt from the mandatory shutdown of enterprises across Barbados from 8:00 p.m. today, Saturday, March 28, until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14.

The uniformed organizations of Barbados
The security organizations
Royal Barbados Police Force
Barbados Fire Service
Barbados Prison Service
Immigration and Customs
Medical and paramedical professionals
Caregivers example nurses, home helpers but NOT domestic workers
Collection, storage, purification and distribution of water for public use
Customs Department
Disaster Management Services
Hospitals, Clinics, and Pharmacies
Media and Broadcasting Services
Medical and Paramedical Professions
Operation of airport and seaports
Removal, handling or burial of deceased persons or disposal of dead animals
Sanitation Service Authority for the collection, storage, treatment, and disposal of sewage, garbage or refuse
Security Services (Private)
The staff of pharmaceutical agencies
Telecommunications providers
Transport Services – aircraft, ship, motor vehicle and PSVs
Utility companies (water, electricity)

Businesses in the private sector are to be CLOSED from 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 28. However, select companies will be allowed to operate from March 28 to April 14, between the recommended hours from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Food enterprises that would be allowed were wholesale and retail grocery stores, mini-marts, village shops, and these are allowed to open between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Courier services bringing in medical supplies, such as personal protective equipment and medical supplies, or a freight forwarder bringing in ventilators, which were needed by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, would also be allowed to operate within specified times.

Agriculture is essential to the continuity of residents, and therefore exemptions were provided in that area to allow farmers to tend their land and deal with their animals.

Feed manufacturers were also excluded from the curfew to allow farmers to have access to feed for their livestock. At the same time, hotels and restaurants will also be allowed to operate for housing and feeding guests only.

Grocery stores
Pharmacies
Restaurants for taking away or drive-thru only
Shops
Commercial bakeries
Butcher shops and abattoirs
Fishermen
Farmers
Gas stations
Critical areas in the Government will be identified, and these will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays.

Extracts – Emergency Management (COVID-19) Order, 2020

by Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS) | March 27, 2020

Stage 3 of the COVID-19 National Preparedness Plan

A public health emergency has been declared
A curfew from Saturday, March 28, to Tuesday, April 14, 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. This may be extended.
Persons are confined to their places of residence during curfew hours
Limited movement during the day
Continue to practice physical distancing of six feet between persons
The plan is being implemented in a phased manner based on the intensity of the spread.

Essential Services during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

Royal Barbados Police Force
Barbados Deference Force
Barbados Fire Service
Barbados Prison Service
Caregivers, e.g., nurses, home helpers but NOT domestic workers
Collection, storage, purification and distribution of water for public use
Customs Department
Disaster Management Services
Hospitals, Clinics, and Pharmacies
Media and Broadcasting Services
Medical and Paramedical Professions
Operation of airport and seaports
Removal, handling or burial of deceased persons or disposal of dead animals
Sanitation Service Authority for the collection, storage, treatment, and disposal of sewage, garbage or refuse
Security Services (Private)
The staff of pharmaceutical agencies
Telecommunications providers
Transport Services – aircraft, ship, motor vehicle and PSVs
Utility companies (water, electricity)

The Public Service

Selected ministries, departments, and statutory corporations will be performed by a skeleton staff.

They will open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

All courts will be closed EXCEPT for matters before the Duty Judge.

Additional Advice To The Public On Restrictions

Subject to the provisions of the Emergency Management (COVID-19) Order 2020, everyone must remain in the confines of his/her place of residence and property

Except for funeral services and weddings ALL churches and places of religious worship, including mosques and synagogues, shall be closed
Weddings are LIMITED to bride, bridegroom, the official witnesses and marriage officer
Funerals will be LIMITED to no more than ten mourners, one officiant, the funeral director, and necessary staff
No person shall host or attend a private party, a recreational or competitive sporting event, a banquet, a ball, reception, any social events, a meeting of a fraternal society, private or social club, civic association or organization
Restricted visitation to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Visits to all public geriatric hospitals and the Psychiatric Hospital have been suspended
No appointments are allowed to any quarantine or isolation centers
No visits to the HMP Dodds Prisons and the Government Industrial Schools
No more than one person will be allowed to visit private senior citizen homes, nursing homes, and facilities for the treatment of persons with addiction or a dependency on drugs or narcotic substances.

Penalties

If any person contravenes the Emergency Management (COVID-19) Order 2020 without reasonable explanation, that person is guilty of an offense and is liable to a fine of $50,000, imprisonment for a term of one year, or both.

Business owners are required to restrict the number of persons within and outside their establishments to ensure that a physical distance of at least six feet is maintained between each person.

Private businesses and offices may continue to operate where employees can work exclusively from their homes.

For more information or to submit queries, email [email protected]