Santia Bradshaw is sworn in as acting Prime Minister by Governor General Dame Sandra Mason at Government House today. Looking on is Minister of Home Affairs, Information and Public Affairs, Wilfred Abraham. (C. Pitt/BGIS)
With the Emancipation and Kadooment Day bank holidays just a few days away, Acting Prime Minister, Santia Bradshaw, is urging Barbadians to use the break for a time of reflection on the past and future.
She made the comments earlier today after she was sworn-in as Acting Prime Minster by Governor General Dame Sandra Mason as Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley goes on holiday from today.
Ms. Bradshaw told Barbadians that she wanted them to appreciate that this was not a normal environment that “we were operating in”.
“Most of us would have no doubt been in costumes and would have been revelling during the upcoming holidays. However, I think that this is going to be a time of reflection of not only the past but also looking forward to the future as well. I want to encourage Barbadians to adhere to the protocols, ensure that they are still doing the physical distancing, make sure that they are wearing their masks and continuing to sanitise as well.”
She continued; “I don’t think anything has changed over the course of the last few weeks, if anything, we’ve had to become more vigilant about our surroundings and certainly the variants that obviously have the potential to affect us because at this point, we can no longer drop our guard we have to continue to adhere to the various protocols.”
On the topic of upcoming national consultations on testing and vaccinations, the Acting Prime Minister said after today’s sub-committee meeting the final plans will be shared with the public.
Ms. Bradshaw noted: “I suspect that we will be looking at four different locations across the country. There will be a few Ministers, members of the private sector, members of the medical profession and the trade union movement as well, who will be joining us to take the conversation to the country in relation to COVID and certainly in relation to vaccinations.”
The Acting Prime Minister said the sessions will be hybrid in nature making use of face-to-face and virtual platforms. Regarding the former, Ms. Bradshaw assured that there will be limited numbers in the physical setting and strict protocols will be in effect.
She added that the sessions will give locals and those living overseas an opportunity to have a say on what is happing in their country.
JULIE CARRINGTON – BGIS
