BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Wed. Feb. 17, 2021– As the number of COVID-19 cases in the Eastern Caribbean continues to rise, several countries have reinforced measures to combat the spread of the virus. Some of these countries, in an effort to ensure that travelers do not bring the virus into their communities, are requiring a clear negative test result from visitors before arrival, a test on arrival and a re-test within a certain number of days.

Among these countries, Barbados, which has not closed its borders since the onset of the pandemic, has increased the strict domestic regulations in place to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Under a standing order, Barbadians will have to abide by a curfew between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., with tighter restrictions than were in place under Belize’s previous Statutory Instruments. Barbados had imposed these restrictions on Feb. 3, 2021, and since then, has extended them to February 28, 2021.

The increased regulations are in response to the discovery of three cases of the UK variant of the virus in Barbados. Despite the fears caused by this new variant, the Prime Minister of Barbados, Hon. Mia Mottley, has urged residents and visitors not to panic.

Under the new protocols in place, supermarkets, excluding convenience stores, may open between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday, along with gas stations and pharmacies, which are allowed to operate on the weekends. Other essential services, like post offices, courier services and money transfer companies, will now be able to reopen. Public transport was also authorized to operate at sixty percent (60%) seating capacity.

Nonessential services in the public and private sectors remain disallowed from opening. This includes the closure of gyms, restaurants, markets and shops and the discontinuance of all construction projects, excluding work on Highway 1. In addition, all social gatherings, commercial pleasure cruises and paid public parties and fetes are also banned.