Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has appealed to residents of Barbados, aged 70 and over to stay off the streets for the next 12 weeks in the first instance, as the number of COVID-19 cases rose to five, today.

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, the Prime Minister told persons over age 70 that they “really need to listen to advice and stay home as much as possible.  I want to repeat it because the vulnerable population is where our concern is.”          

She warned: “I don’t want to, but I promise you, if we have to, we will go to Parliament and pass legislation to keep them at home, but I don’t want to at this stage because the truth is that the feedback we are getting is that the majority are in fact adhering to the warnings.”

Ms. Mottley further advised those with underlying medical conditions, particularly asthmatics, persons with badly controlled diabetes, cardiovascular problems that were of serious concern to their doctors, and those with chronic respiratory disorders to consult with their doctors, and be advised as to whether they should also stay at home as part of the vulnerable population.

“If your doctor tells you yes, then I suggest that you get the letter from your doctor and that you share it with your employer, if you are working.  I have, already, for those who are public servants, given instructions in the Public Service for us to deal with those persons who feel that they may be vulnerable after consultation with their doctor.”

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley listens to a question from the media at today’s press conference on COVID-19 at Ilaro Court. She is flanked by Chief Medical Officer (Ag), Dr. Anton Best (left) and Minister of Health and Wellness, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bostic.(C.Pitt/BGIS)

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley making a point at today’s press conference on COVID-19 at Ilaro Court. From extreme left is Hon. Kerrie D. Symmonds, M.P. Minister of Tourism and International Transport: Senator Lisa Cummins, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Barbados Port Inc and Chief Medical Officer (Ag), Dr. Anton Best.

Acknowledging that regrettably, this was the new global reality, she noted, that “there is virtually no country in the world which is escaping this”.

Ms. Mottley said she had every confidence that the average Barbadian was prepared to “carry the weight, recognizing that they don’t want their mother or grandmother or grandfather, great-aunt or great-uncle to be on the frontline.  And that those were the same people who took care of us when we were young, who made sure that we did not come into harm’s way and that we can do it for them now.”

She said that this type of support for the elderly would be required at least until a vaccine was developed, so while she was advising that this measure be in place for 12 weeks in the first instance, if the vaccine was not available in that time span, then there would be an extension.

Prime Minister Mottley thanked businesses, for example, supermarkets, for putting special arrangements in place to facilitate the elderly and added that the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs would be leading the effort to assist.

She, however, noted: “The most effective support is family, community and the church ultimately to be able to support persons who are elderly.  People need to know and be comfortable with whom they are dealing with, so we are just putting the arrangements in place to make sure that that can happen en masse.”

joy.springer@barbados.gov.bb