The National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) has opted to keep the 6pm to 6am curfew in place even as a new phased re-opening plan was announced yesterday.
Yesterday, when the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (No.3) were expected to be posted, the NCTF announced that phase one of a six-phase re-opening plan will commence today and is expected to last until July 2nd 2020.
As part of the first phase of this re-opening, the Task Force stated in a release that the 6 pm to 6 am curfew will remain in effect for all regions. However, for Regions 5 and 8 which to date have not been affected by COVID-19 the non-curfew measures will be lifted.
In phase one, all food establishments will now be able to operate inclusive of street vendors but only for takeout and delivery services between the hours of 6 am to 5 pm. No dine-in services will be permitted.
While social distancing rules and the wearing of face masks must be maintained, this phase will allow for persons to have 90 minutes of exercise in open public spaces on Mondays to Fridays between 6 am and 6 pm.
The release cautioned that no contact or team sports will be allowed and gatherings of more than five persons will remain prohibited. Public transport will continue to operate at the 50% passenger capacity as noted in the first set of emergency measures which were put in place.
Hardware, plumbing and electrical stores will now be allowed to operate from 6 am to 5 pm while the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) will now be classified as an essential service. This the NCTF noted is necessary to facilitate the timely opening of sluices during times of regular heavy rainfall.
Further, the Stay-At-Home order will remain in effect as persons will only be permitted to leave home if they are essential workers or seeking essential services, emergency medical care or for the 90-minute daily exercise allowance.
The COVID-19 lockdown began on April 3rd this year. After a month it was extended to June 3rd. It was then extended by a further two weeks. Yesterday’s announcement would constitute a further change. Twelve persons have died from COVID-19 and cases continue to rise.
