Everyone must do their part to stop spread of Covid-19

A MINISTER OF government believes that Vincentians have not sufficiently embraced the protocols of COVID-19 locally.

Senator Julian Francis was making his contribution to the debate of the 2021 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure last Thursday when he said “there is a collective blame out there for the entire population” as it relates to the spike of cases in SVG since the end of December.

As at February 1, a total of 951 cases had been recorded in SVG, 802 of which are cases recorded locally with no recent travel history.

There are currently 698 active cases.

“Everybody wants to blame the government,” Francis said, noting that authorities have been putting protocols in place, making recommendations and insisting on what should be happening.

The Minister of Urban Development, Energy, Airports, Seaports, Grenadines Affairs and Local Government further appealed to the public to acknowledge the possibilities of what could happen, if things were to continue in the way they have been since the end of December.

He highlighted protocols recently implemented by neighbouring Barbados, which will go into lockdown from tomorrow, February 3 to February 17.

During this 15-day period, a curfew from 7 pm to 6 am will be enforced, supermarkets will be open for a certain time period and all other activities except those deemed essential will cease.

Markets will remain closed for the period and vending will also be stopped during the lockdown. Public transport will resort to 60 per cent seating, shops will not be allowed to open, nor will restaurants or gyms.

It has been reported that this phase of the COVID-19 fight will cost Barbados between 20 and 25 million over the next few weeks.

“I want to appeal to our people. We have managed this thing collectively. We have given guidance, the prime minister has spent significant time and hours, the chief medical officer and the medical officer of health and his team have put a lot into this,” Francis said.

He continued: “As a people out there, I want us to take a note as to what is happening outside… we do not need to lock it down. We need to be Vincentians who follow the protocols. Be aware this thing is a contagious disease and we must follow the protocols”.