Barbados to end 24-hour lockdown
Prime Minister Mia Mottley yesterday announced a phased reopening of government and business operations, ending a mandatory 24-hour lockdown imposed on April 3 amid the global coronavirus pandemic.
In a 7 p.m. national address, Mottley also announced that effective Monday, May 4, online classes would resume for the island’s students.
A national curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. will take effect next week.
The Bridgetown Port will, however, reopen today as a precursor to the resumption of limited commercial activity on Monday.
Mottley also announced that the sale of alcohol would be allowed, but no consumption would be permitted in public.
Limited reopening of beaches will also occur from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. daily.
The public was also advised to wear masks and to practise social distancing.
Mottley said that since the onset of COVID-19, which has infected 80 people and claimed seven lives, the government has spent US$37 million on the healthcare system and is projected to lose US$225 million in tax revenue.
However, the island’s reserves remain healthy at US$0.8 billion.
