With more than 10 000 people in isolation due to the Omicron COVID-19 variant surge, Minister of Energy, Business Development and International Business Kerrie Symmonds says he is confident there will be a full reopening of the Barbados economy later this year.
However, he is concerned that the cavalier approach by some is not only causing the process to take a lot longer than it should, he believes it is running the risk of obliterating certain sectors before the full reopening can occur.
“I do foresee a full reopening of the economy this year. I am cautiously optimistic. We have seen the commitment given in other parts of the Caribbean. I, personally, as a business minister, am exceptionally concerned that our cavalier behaviour collectively is going to hurt some sectors and drive some people out of business, taking food out of families’ plates, if we are not careful.
“Entertainers are people too. So, too, are those involved in the night life of the country. It is really in the interest of that segment of the society that some of us have to be a lot more careful about what we do. Otherwise we will make it quite difficult for others to eat food in Barbados,” said Symmonds. (CLM)
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