by Linda Straker
- 100 new cases recorded within past 10 days
- Takeout service only for restaurants and bars as of Saturday, 28 August
- In-classroom teaching delayed for 2 weeks
Grenada has made adjustments to Emergency Powers and Public Health regulations that will see a delay in the resumption of schools and the banning of all in-person dining at restaurants and bars, as measures are put in place to curb the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak.
The adjustments are aimed at reducing mass gathering of citizens following the announcement that the island is experiencing “a degree of community spread” of Covid-19. Within the past 10 days, health authorities confirmed that the island recorded over 100 active cases.
Health Minister Nickolas Steele said that restaurants and bars shall move to takeout service only as of Saturday, 28 August 2021. “Funerals will be between the hours of 9 am and 12 noon and should not be longer than 1 hour,” added Steele as he announced the new measures.
Schools that were scheduled to open on Monday, 6 September for in-person classes will now have the option of resuming classes using virtual settings where possible on that date, or delay until 20 September.
“In-classroom teaching is delayed for 2 weeks,” said Steele as he informed the media that the adjustments were agreed to during an emergency cabinet meeting on Thursday, 26 August 2021.
Churches are asked to maintain the 6 feet distancing at all services and gatherings. In other words, they are to comply with the requirements in the Public Health (Covid-19) (Restrictions on Religious Institutions) Order, 2020.
Grenada’s upsurge in cases is linked to a number of mass gathering events held between the period of 8-15 August 2021. Some of these events were approved by the authorities for vaccinated persons only, while some were not approved. Some illegal activities were attended by both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
Dr Shawn Charles who is the Acting Chief Medical Officer said that most of the persons who are presently positive with Covid-19 are unvaccinated. “Less than 10 of the cases are vaccinated,” Dr Charles said during a news conference.
Less than 25% of the population is fully inoculated with a vaccine to protect them against Covid-19.
There are those of us that do not think COVID is a hoax, but are uncertain of the efficacy of the vaccines, not only against the original strain,(hence second shots, hence boosters), but also the new variants. Please if you are medically compromised, or obese, then maybe your risk is greater and you have to consider the vaccine. The fact that they never even considered Ivermectin (human, not animal), as a viable preventative, cheap, safe, and able to be mass produced quickly, is unexplainable, (or political). There is evidence in many reports, from all over the world of its effectiveness at prevention and treatment of COVID .
It has been around and used extensively for 60 years, and although this is an off label usage, so were the likes of Rogaine, and Viagra. It has proved a viable antiviral in double blinded clinical trials, over the last 18 mos (maybe more), and yet it has been ignored. This is from the mouth of a cardiologist with impressive credentials that spoke for its initial usage at the Homeland Security hearings, last August. I have an inherent distrust of Big Pharma and government that supports it, as these medications, made up of God knows what, will have their side effects and what are the side effects of the vaccines? No one dares speak of that, and they wouldn’t, even if they knew. We have not been privy to the information regarding adverse or fatal reactions, just that they are insignificant, excuse me? I am healthy, have a great immune system, no previous medical conditions, not obese, and do not take any prescriptions, but I wear a mask, stay away from crowds, eat a vegan diet now, and was trying to take preventative measures with the help of my doctor and Ivermectin. I am over 60. Now my choice seems to be threatened because of fear, power, and greed. Do the research please. If I am forced to take the vaccine, as I feel may happen, which one is best one and the one with least side effects, or don’t the masses care? Let the government decide how best to take care of us? God help us!
Forget about the blame, shit happens, just get vaccinated.
This happens when observing the rules is an abstract concept
If the government had the fortitude to lock down the country for the 2 carnival days, we would not be in this position. Last year when the road was blocked in Gouyave and a calypsonian told the police when they could open the road, that should have served as a warning. Seems the tail is able to wag the dog.
Why would the island need to go into lockdown when both days of carnival were removed as bank holidays and all festivies canceled? There comes a time when everyone needs to take personal responsibility for their actions.
Exactly. The 2 days could have been kept but in strict lockdown to avoid the parties etc. But preferential practice is always a problem…. “so-and-so” want a party so we will have for the “vaccinated” but who was confirming that the persons in the party were in fact vaccinated….smh
There are people here who still believe that covid19 is a hoax. I read the postings on social media and I think some of them are on another planet. I hate to say that this jab jab and illegal parties would have taken place any way. They believe they were defying the government. So I agree that a lockdown would have been a better option.
I must say I’m surprised and even a little disappointed that Kesri Johnson has not posted on this issue. Where are the keyboard warriors when you need them?
The tail was allowed to wag the dog for sure – by politicians who are more concerned about votes than they are about our safety. What else is new?!?!