Grenada delays controversial COVID-19 Bill

The COVID-19 Control Bill will not be tabled in Grenada after all.

It was pulled following unrest over the weekend from certain quarters that the Bill was unconstitutional, unnecessary and would have extended the emergency powers for a year.

The government says it accepts responsibility for not ensuring that the public had a full explanation of the Bill before attempting to take it to Parliament.

It says the Bill was drafted nearly after four months of managing the SARS-CoV-2 National crisis.

The State says the sole intention of the Bill was to protect Grenadians, especially now that the government has taken the decision to reopen the country’s borders.

It notes while the Bill does not significantly change the existing legislation and does not contravene the island’s Constitution, the government has listened to the concerns raised and will delay the process to give an opportunity to address these concerns.

Meanwhile, the government reiterates the importance of putting systems in place to ensure there is no outbreak of COVID-19 in Grenada.

It again appeals to Grenadians not to become complacent but to follow all the protocols and regulations that are in place.