Gazette February 14, CLVII No.15 (Covid-19) Directive, 2022

Feb 14, 2022 | Part A, Statutory Instruments (SI's)

VOL. CLVII No. 15

Part A

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS, 14TH FEBRUARY, 2022

Content

S.I. 2022 No. 8: Emergency Management (COVID-19) (Protocols) Directive, 2022.

14th February, 2022

S.I. 2022 No. 8

Emergency Management (COVID-19) (No. 2) Order, 2021

S.I. 2021 No. 61

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (COVID-19) (PROTOCOLS) DIRECTIVE, 2022

WHEREAS pursuant to paragraph 15 of the Emergency Management (COVID-19) (No. 2) Order, 2021 (S.I. 2021 No. 61) made under the Emergency Management Act, Cap. 160A, it is provided that the Prime Minister on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer may issue a directive requiring every person to observe such physical distancing and associated protocols in the interest of public health as may be specified;

AND WHEREAS a public health emergency exists in Barbados;

The Prime Minister, by virtue of the power and authority vested in her and on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer pursuant to paragraph 15 of the Emergency Management (COVID-19) (No. 2) Order, 2021, hereby issues the following Directive:

  1. This Directive may be cited as the Emergency Management(COVID-19) (Protocols) Directive, 2022.
  2. All businesses, establishments, organizations and persons shall

comply with this Directive.

3.(1)

Subject to this Directive, all businesses, establishments and

organizations are permitted to open and operate daily.

  1. Notwithstanding subparagraph (1), night clubs shall be closed for theduration of this Directive.
  2. No person shall consume food or drink inside a bar or a rum shop but mayconsume such items outdoors.
  3. Gyms, dance and exercise studios shall only operate in accordance withprotocols issued by the Unit.
  4. The owners or operators of businesses, establishments and organizationsmay permit their staff to work remotely where operations can continue effectively if the staff work remotely.
  5. Subject to this Directive, meetings shall be held virtually whenever theycan be efficiently and effectively conducted.
    4.(1)shall
    (a)The owner or operator of any business, establishment or organization
    ensure that
    1. the staff of the business, establishment or organization; and
    2. all persons who enter the business, establishment or organization,

comply with the physical distancing protocols;

  1. provide hand sanitizing stations for staff and all persons who enter the business, establishment or organization;
  2. restrict the number of persons within and outside the business, establishment or organization at any one time in order to ensure that a physical distance of at least 3 feet is maintained between persons;
  3. ensure that persons do not assemble otherwise than for the purpose of transacting business; and
  4. comply with such other protocols as may be established by the Chief Medical Officer and the Unit.
  5. The owner or operator of any business, establishment or organization inwhich there are 25 or more employees shall designate an employee as a COVID-19 compliance officer.
    5.(1)Subject to this Directive, pleasure craft, private boats and party cruisesare permitted to be operated in the manner specified in this paragraph.
    1. Subject to subparagraph (3), pleasure craft and private boats may bechartered for private cruises but shall carry no more than 50 per cent of their authorized number of passengers.
    2. Pleasure craft and private boats may be chartered for private cruises andmay be operated at full capacity if all passengers produce evidence that they
      1. are fully vaccinated; or
      2. have had a Rapid Antigen test administered no more than 24 hours prior to seeking to board the pleasure craft or private boat and that the result of that test was negative.
    3. Party cruises are permitted to be operated if
      1. all passengers produce evidence that they
        1. are fully vaccinated; and
        2. have had a Rapid Antigen test administered no more than 24 hours prior to seeking to embark on the cruise and that the result of that test was negative;
      2. staff and performers produce evidence that they
        1. are fully vaccinated; and
        2. have had a Rapid Antigen test administered no more than 24 hours prior to seeking to enter the event venue and that the result of that test was negative;
      3. a member of the Unit is on board the vessel.
    4. The persons referred to in subparagraphs (4)(b) shall produce the evidence

referred to in that paragraph to the member of the Covid Unit referred to in subparagraph 4(c).

6.

7.(1)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

(h)

(i)

(j)

Subject to paragraphs 7 and 8, no person shall host or attend a fete;

a graduation;

a private party;

a private ball or dance; a private banquet;

a prize giving ceremony; a reception;

a social event known as “a bus crawl”; a karaoke event; or

a bus or other vehicular excursion.

Notwithstanding paragraph 6, any person who wishes to host an event

at which members of the public may be entertained for payment of money directly or indirectly, shall comply with the protocols set out in subparagraph (2).

  1. The following protocols apply for the purposes of subparagraph (1):
    1. the venue for the event and the maximum number of patrons who may attend the event shall be approved by the Unit and the National Cultural Foundation;
    2. all service providers, staff and performers shall produce evidence that they
      1. are fully vaccinated; and
      2. have had a Rapid Antigen test administered no more than 24 hours prior to seeking to enter the event venue and that the result of that test was negative;
    3. all patrons shall produce evidence that they
      1. are fully vaccinated; or
      2. have had a Rapid Antigen test administered no more than 24 hours prior to seeking to enter the event venue and that the result of that test was negative; and
    4. the duration of the event shall not exceed 3 hours where the event is held at an indoor venue.
  2. The persons referred to in subparagraphs (2)(b) and (c) shall produce theevidence referred to in that paragraph to a person approved by the Chief Medical Officer or to a member of the Unit.
  3. For the purposes of this Directive, a person is fully vaccinated if that person

has completed, at least 14 days or more prior to seeking to enter or remain within the precincts of a venue for the event, a full regimen of COVID-19 vaccinations approved by the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

8.(1)

Notwithstanding paragraph 6, a person who wishes to host a

graduation, a private banquet, a prize giving ceremony or a reception shall apply to the Chief Medical Officer for permission to do so.

  1. The Chief Medical Officer may grant permission in relation to anapplication made under subparagraph (1) subject to any conditions that he may deem reasonable.
  2. An event referred to in this paragraph shall not exceed 3 hours induration.
    9.(1)Indoor cinemas are permitted to be opened subject to the followingconditions:
    1. there shall be a physical distance of at least 3 feet between patrons;
    2. there shall be no more than such number of persons, sitting at least 3 feet apart in every direction as may be approved by the Unit; and
    3. members of the same household may sit together at a distance of less than 3 feet apart.

(2) Drive-in cinemas are permitted to be opened subject to compliance with

the protocols specified by the Chief Medical Officer and the Unit.

10. Notwithstanding paragraph 6, the following outdoor events shall be

permitted but may be attended by no more than 30 persons:

(a)

(b)

11.(1)

the social event known as “a lime”; and a picnic.

Any member of the Police Service or the Unit may enter any business,

establishment or organization at any time during its hours of operation in order to ensure that the business, establishment or organization is in compliance with this Directive and for that purpose, may ask questions of the owner, operator, employees or patrons of the business, establishment or organization.

  1. An owner, operator or employee referred to in subparagraph (1) who
    1. denies entry to;
    2. fails to answer any question put to him by or gives a false or misleading answer to any such question to;
    3. assaults, insults, obstructs or uses threatening words or gestures to; or
    4. fails to comply with any instructions given to him by

a member of the Police Service or a member of the Unit, contravenes this Directive.

12.(1)

All indoor sports, contact sports and team sports, including practice

sessions of such sports, are prohibited.

  1. For the avoidance of doubt, non-contact outdoor sporting activities arepermitted.
  2. The host of an organized competitive sporting event which is conductedoutdoors is permitted to admit
    1. the full capacity of spectators that the venue can accommodate, if all spectators produce evidence that they
      1. are fully vaccinated; and
      2. have had a Rapid Antigen test administered no more than 24 hours prior to seeking to enter the event venue and that the result of that test was negative; or
    2. no more than 80 percent of the number of spectators that the venue can accommodate, if all spectators produce evidence that they
      1. are fully vaccinated; or
      2. have had a Rapid Antigen test administered no more than 24 hours prior to seeking to enter the event venue and that the result of that test was negative.
  3. Players, coaches and ancillary staff of the organized competitive sporting

event shall produce evidence that they

(a)

(b)

13.(1)

are fully vaccinated; and

have had a Rapid Antigen test administered no more than 24 hours prior to seeking to enter the event venue and that the result of that test was negative.

Rapid Antigen tests required for the purposes of this Directive shall

be of a type approved by the Chief Medical Officer.

(2) The Rapid Antigen test referred to in subparagraph (1) shall be

administered by an entity or person approved by the Chief Medical Officer.

14. A meeting of a fraternal society, private or social club or civic

association or organization is permitted, and may be attended by such number of

persons as the venue can accommodate where a distance of at least 3 feet is maintained between persons.

15.(1)

Places of religious worship are permitted to be opened for religious

services and meetings but shall be attended by no more than the number of persons that can be accommodated where a distance of at least 3 feet is maintained between persons.

  1. Sacraments and rituals of faith may be administered at places of religiousworship and the following protocols shall be observed:
    1. communion shall be by individual servings of sacraments only; and
    2. officiants and participants in the sacrament of baptism, except the person who is being baptized, shall wear face masks and face shields.
  2. Funeral services shall be attended by no more than the number of mournersthat the place of religious worship can accommodate where a distance of at least 3 feet is maintained between persons.
  3. Wedding ceremonies shall be attended by the bride and bridegroom, 2

witnesses, the marriage officer and no more than the number of guests that the venue can accommodate where a distance of at least 3 feet is maintained between persons.

(5)

party.

(6)

Only seated dining may be provided at wedding receptions for the wedding

Religious services, meetings, wedding ceremonies and funeral services

shall not exceed 3 hours.

  1. Dancing is prohibited at wedding receptions.
  2. Members of the same household may sit together at any event referred toin subparagraphs (1), (3), (4) and (6).
    16.(1)Where persons exercise together outdoors, they shall maintain aphysical distance of
    1. at least 6 feet, where they are not wearing face masks; and
    2. at least 3 feet, where they are wearing face masks,

unless they are members of the same household.

  1. Hiking in a group of more than 30 persons is prohibited.
  2. Aerobic and dance exercise classes shall be conducted outdoors.

17.

(a)

(b)

(c)

18.(1)

(a)

(b)

A person who is in a public place shall

wear a face mask as specified in paragraph 18;

comply with the physical distancing protocols established by the Chief Medical Officer, unless they are members of the same household; and

comply with every condition specified by the Chief Medical Officer and the Unit.

No person shall, without reasonable explanation, be in a public building or public place; or

travel on a public service vehicle or other public transport, whether as a driver, conductor or passenger,

unless he wears a face mask, face shield or face-covering which covers his nose, mouth and chin.

  1. Where the person referred to in subparagraph (1) is a child who isaccompanied by an individual who has responsibility for the child, the individual shall provide and ensure that the child has and wears a face mask, face shield or face covering as required by subparagraph (1).
  2. The owner or operator of any business, establishment or organization,which provides goods or services to the public shall ensure that no member of
    the public is permitted to enter, or, having entered, to remain within any enclosed space of the business, establishment or organization unless the person is wearing a face mask, face shield or face covering which covers his mouth, nose and chin.
  3. Subparagraph (3) binds the State.
  4. Subparagraphs (1) to (3) shall not apply to children under 5 years of age.
  5. Subparagraph (1) does not apply to persons travelling in a privatevehicle.
  6. Notwithstanding subparagraph (1)(a), a person may, if he is required tospeak and is physically distanced from other persons present, remove his mask only for the duration of the speech.
  7. For the purposes of subparagraph (1), a person has a reasonable explanation
    1. where the person cannot put on, wear or remove a face mask, face shield or face covering by reason of any medical, physical or mental illness or disability;
    2. where the person is travelling with or providing assistance to another person and the other person relies on lip-reading to communicate with the first person;
    3. where the person is eating, drinking, taking medication or exercising;
    4. where a request is made of the person to remove his face mask, face shield or face covering temporarily for security and identification purposes; or
    5. in such other circumstances as may be provided for in such protocols as the Chief Medical Officer may determine.
  8. For the purposes of this Directive, “public building” or “public place”

includes a building or a place to which members of the public have a general or conditional right of access.

19. No person shall visit any place of quarantine or an isolation station.

20.(1)

School.

No person shall visit a prisoner or a ward of a Government Industrial

(2) A person may visit a prison or a Government Industrial School to transact

business.

21.(1)

No more than one person at a time shall visit a patient in a hospital,

or a facility for the treatment of persons with an addiction to, or a dependency on, a drug or a narcotic substance.

  1. No person may visit a patient in a nursing home, senior citizens’ home, ageriatric hospital or a district hospital but may visit such an institution to deliver care packages and transact business.
    22.(1)No person shall transmit a video recording or an audio recording ofany person or in any way make known to the public the identity of any person
    1. who has been tested for COVID-19 or the result of any such test; or
    2. who is in quarantine or in an isolation station.

(2) It is a defence for the person who is charged with an offence under

subparagraph (1) if he proves that he had obtained the prior consent of the person who is the subject of the act.

23.(1)

The driver of a public service vehicle shall carry no more than its

authorized number of sitting passengers and no standing passengers.

  1. The driver of a public service vehicle shall ensure that the windows of thevehicle remain open throughout the journey, except during inclement weather.
  2. Subparagraph (2) does not apply to those public service vehicles thewindows of which are sealed by the manufacturer.
  3. The owner or driver of a public service vehicle shall ensure that the vehicleis sanitized after setting down passengers and before picking up new passengers at the following motor omnibus depots and terminals:
    1. Mangrove Bus Depot;
    2. Oistins Bus Depot;
    3. Constitution Road Terminal;
    4. Fairchild Street Terminal;
    5. Princess Alice Terminal; and
    6. Speightstown Terminal.
  4. An owner or driver of a public service vehicle who fails to comply withany provision of this paragraph is, in addition to the penalty provided by paragraph 29, liable to have his licence or permit suspended.
    24.(a)
    (b)(c)
    25.A traveller to Barbados shallgive details of his accommodation in Barbados to the Chief Immigration Officer and to the Chief Medical Officer;comply with this Directive; andcomply with the Travel Protocols for entry into Barbados and the Health and Safety Protocols for the Tourism Sector established by the Chief Medical Officer for the Ministry of Tourism.
    A traveller to Barbados who gives false or misleading information orsubmits a false document on arrival in Barbados to the Chief Immigration Officer or the Chief Medical Officer concerning
    1. his accommodation in Barbados;
    2. whether he has been tested for COVID-19 and the result of such test; or
    3. whether he has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19,

contravenes this Directive.

26.

(a)

(b)

A person who

fails to answer any question; or

gives a false or misleading answer to any question

put to him by a doctor, a nurse, a member of the Unit or any other person authorized by the Chief Medical Officer who is seeking information for the purpose of tracing any other person who has been exposed to a person who is or may be infected with COVID-19, contravenes this Directive.

27. A person who is placed in quarantine or isolation contravenes this

Directive if he

(a)

(b)

(c)

28.

leaves the place in which he is quarantined or isolated without the consent of the Chief Medical Officer;

receives guests; or

fails to comply with the directions of the Chief Medical Officer.

The owner or operator of any business, establishment or organization

who fails to comply with this Directive is, in addition to the penalty provided by paragraph 29, liable to be ordered by the Prime Minister or Attorney General, acting on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer or the Unit, to cease to operate for the duration of this Directive.

  1. Any person who contravenes any provision of this Directive or failsto comply with any protocol specified by the Chief Medical Officer or the Unit is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $50 000 or to imprisonment for a term of one year or to both pursuant to paragraph 15(1) of the Emergency Management (COVID-19) (No. 2) Order, 2021 (S.I. 2021 No. 61).
  2. This Directive shall come into effect on the 15th day of February, 2022

and shall cease to have effect on the 28th day of February, 2022.

Made by the Prime Minister this 14th day of February, 2022.

S. BRADSHAW Prime Minister (Ag.)

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