Barbuda enters partial lockdown after spike in cases

Barbuda: Following the rise in COVID-19 cases, Barbuda island will go into partial lockdown for the next 14 days starting from 27 August 2021, said Barbuda Council. According to new restrictions imposed, all non-essential travel to the island is banned, and there will be no construction activity in the country.

As a number of people remain under isolation in Barbuda, the new restrictions were announced after 9 positive cases were reported on the island. The lockdown is imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19.

According to a bulletin issued by the Barbuda Council states that until 9 September 2021, no more than 10 persons can enter the premises of all businesses. And all establishments on the island must install handwashing stations at all entry points. Barbuda Express Ferry services are also directed to limit the passengers to a maximum of 25 and Typhoon can carry a maximum of 19 passengers per visit to Barbuda. Taxi operators are also urged to adhere to strict COVID-19 protocols, including proper sanitisation of their vehicles.

Persons coming to Barbuda on a yacht would not be allowed to disembark and all other day tours are banned for the next 14 days. Secretary of the Council, Paul Nedd said that partial lockdown is being imposed to expedite contact tracing on the island following the discovery of new coronavirus cases.

Nedd further said that people of Barbuda must remain at their homes or exercise quarantine for at least 14 days so that they can assess the situation at the island. “It appears that the hotspot is within the transfer of employees between Antigua and Barbuda to conduct construction work in Barbuda.”

Apart from this, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda had also announced a partial lockdown in Antigua in the post-cabinet press conference on Wednesday to curb the spread.

[caption id="attachment_37142" align="aligncenter" width="424"] COVID-19 cases in Antigua and Barbuda[/caption]

The measures also include an 8 pm to 5 am curfew that will continue till Friday. B bars and gyms will remain closed for a two-week period. Restaurants are limited to only provide takeaway and home delivery services churches-weddings-funerals are limited maximum of 24 persons and complete ban on summer camps.

Schools will remain closed till 13 September, and public gatherings are now limited to only 10 persons. Currently, there are total of 222 positive cases of COVID-19 in Antigua and Barbuda, from which 58 were reported on 25 August.