The parliament in Barbados has extended the island’s State of Emergency (SOE) until September as the island deals with presence of a new COVID variant and another wave of the virus.
Last week, Barbados confirmed that the new Omicron BA.2 variant of the coronavirus was on the island and there was increase in COVID-19 cases.
Health Minister Ian Gooding-Edghill said that the SOE is to remain in effect until September 22.
“We still have vaccines and Barbadians are more than capable of going to the various vaccination sites and getting vaccines and boosters as we continue to manage this particular wave of this pandemic,” he said in parliament.
He said confirmation of the new variant was confirmed by the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).
“Let me remind you that COVID-19 is still with us and is likely to be with us for a long time,” the health minister stated. “Be assured that we have the experience and scientific tools to help us properly manage the impact of COVID-19. The non-pharmaceutical interventions such as mask wearing, physical distancing, good hand hygiene practices and ventilation are critical to reducing the spread of this virus.”
