Established October 1895 Friday June 12, 2020 $2 VAT Inclusive FURTHERBy Jenique Belgrave EASEwindows on these vehicles kept open; no restrictions on the use of parks and ALL businesses around this island Monday reopening for all businesses beaches; sporting activities to be have been given the green light to while lifting several restrictions that to keep citizens from their workplaces. conducted as normal with limited restart operations come Monday, had been implemented in March to These include: the allowance of Public spectators, which will be specified at a under strict health protocols. reduce the spread of COVID-19. With Service Vehicles and buses to operate later date; the allowance of up to 250 Meanwhile, day-care centres are to the island recording no new cases for at full seating and half the stipulated persons at social events, with higher reopen on June 22. over two weeks and the latest being four standing capacities with all passengers numbers requiring guidance from the Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley new cases imported from the United required to wear masks, and with the made these announcements last night States, she declared there was no reason exception of inclement weather, the FURTHER EASE on Page 3 Opposition People’s Party for Democracy and Development (PdP) spokesperson for Culture, Alan Springer (second from right), explained that the Ministry of Creative Economy and Culture should be detached from Sports. (From left) Opposition Leader, Bishop Joseph Atherley; Energy spokesperson, Dr. Philip Corbin; and Health spokesperson, Paul Gibson. Separate Creative Economy and Sports, says Springer WHILE outlining the Alternative media in the Worthing Corporate change and that under the PdP,the role internationally,” said Springer. People’s Plan for the Creative Economy, Centre at the Office of the Opposition of the Ministry of Creative Economy One of the main reasons for the the Opposition People’s Party for Leader yesterday morning. He and Culture would change. change in the role, according to Democracy and Development (PdP) contended that the current Ministry of “Rather than micro-managing Springer, was to ensure less spokesperson for Culture, Alan Creative Economy, Culture and Sports projects and persons, its role will interference from the ministry in Springer, presented the argument that should be split to allow both sectors the be to act more as a legislative body, day-to-day operations of the sector, the Creative Economy and Sports time and focus necessary to develop as policymaker, strategic oversight, which would allow for the creatives to should be separate and distinct genuine economic engines. Also noted promoter of the arts and cultural run things on the ground. ministries. was that the separation into two sectors, and leading the drive to Springer presented the plan to the ministries was more than just a name source investment, both locally and PLAN on Page 2 2 • Friday June 12, 2020 The Barbados Advocate No positive cases NONE of the 129 tests at Harrison Point, carried out for COVID-19 St. Lucy. Of the 96 by the Best-dos Santos confirmed cases, 52 are Public Health Laboratory females and 44 males. on Wednesday was posi- Eighty-three people have tive. Additionally, no one recovered and seven have was released from isola- died. tion yesterday. The public health As a result, six persons laboratory has completed remain in isolation 6,321 tests. Roman Catholic The public health laboratory has completed 6,321 tests. churches to reopen to public from tomorrow ROMAN Catholic (RC) set by the Government churches will reopen and the Diocese,” Fr. to the public this Nyga added. weekend (June 13), In a video message to after being closed for the Diocese, Archbishop almost three months. Gordon has asked people The churches were to show patience with the closed on March 19 when many protocols that need Barbados recorded its to be followed and the first cases of COVID-19. limited church space Fr. Andy Nyga, available. Co-Delegate of “It will take us a little Apostolic Administrator while to get this thing set- Archbishop Charles tled and to learn this new Jason Gordon, said the normal,” the Archbishop Church was reopening said. with great joy but also Persons wanting to at- with the awareness that tend Mass are asked to it will not be Mass as contact their parish office usual. for further information. “We want people to be The reopening of RC safe, and we want our churches this weekend churches to reopen and coincides with the major stay open. So, we are Christian celebration of making sure that people Corpus Christi – the know the ground rules Body and Blood of Christ. NCF’s role would change PLAN from Page 1 would come to an end. “These are not ‘cultural’ Another suggestion in spaces, but inherently the Alternative People’s spaces that showcase the Plan for the Creative arts. Art practitioners Economy is to revise the themselves must be seen role of the National to be the producers of Cultural Foundation the arts events in those (NCF). spaces, while the NCF will “It will no longer act as a have oversight of those producer of arts events, sectors that more obvi- but will be focused more ously straddle arts and on maintaining and devel- culture, such as festivals, oping our cultural spaces fashion and literature,” such as museums and Springer noted. heritage sites in a way to While the PdP sees the safeguard legacy,” ex- role of the NCF evolving plained Springer. to meet the needs of the The PdP cultural times, the foundation spokesperson expanded would continue to be the further, saying that the main organiser of cultural NCF management of art festivals including Crop installations such as Over.However,fundamen- Queen’s Park House, tally, the structure will the Queen’s Park Shed, lead to a culture shift, the Creative Space and which Springer said would Recording Centre at see the role of the NCF Pelican and the Dance move from one of a pro- Centre in West Terrace ducer to a facilitator. (AS) The Barbados Advocate Friday June 12, 2020 • 3 Consultation on reopening of borders next week Island to receive spruce up, says PM THE possible reopen- ship is a lonely place and ness associate or visitor, ing of the island’s bor- leadership is about lead- you have heard me say ders will be one of the ing and my friends, I in- over and over, we have topics to be discussed tend after the widest pos- to welcome them to a when the wider Social sible consultations next pristine-looking island. Partnership meets on week to lead decisively on “We have to return Monday. this matter. For what is the ‘wow’ factor to our This was revealed at stake is not just lives beaches. We have to also during an address to and livelihoods, but in- make sure that driving the nation last night deed also the Barbadian around Barbados will by Prime Minister Mia way that reflects consul- cause people to say ‘what Amor Mottley as she tation. a beautiful countryside’, announced a number of “That is how we have rather than wondering planned actions to be done it from day one. That what all that garbage is taken by Government in is how we will do it, but doing thrown all about or the near future, while I assure you that after being littered by people.” commending Barbadians consultation, the The Prime Minister for largely following the Government reserves the said discussions have COVID-19 directives. right to decide and to act.” already started on what According to Prime Additionally, Prime will be the steps forward Minister Mottley, “The Minister Mottley said for the country. “We reality is much is hap- next week, initiatives to started already and we pening around us, but spruce up Barbados will shall continue meeting we know oh so well in also be announced. “We over the next few days Barbados that both sce- started some and some but today (yesterday), Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley addressing the nation last night. narios are plagued with came to an end and we I came straight from danger and a measure of restarted them. If we Cabinet and go back mendations from the next few weeks because National Cultural risk. In many respects, we want to welcome people there tomorrow (today) Social Partnership and we have a number of Foundation and captures die if we don’t and we also back here, whether it is because we have taken from the Jobs and key measures to put in the essence of Barbadians die if we do. But leader- family or friend or busi- the advice and the recom- Investment Advisory place including the BOSS and can be shared with Council and we are pool- (Barbados Optional anyone in the world and ing these together to Savings Scheme) pro- uplift their spirits, fol- begin to get an idea of the gramme, including lowing the devastation priorities for the trans- amendments to the wrought by COVID-19. ‘Do not drop your guard’ formation that is critical Severance Payments Act, The song featured a num- FURTHER EASE from going to guide our behav- those businesses yet to be for us to be able to come and other regulations ber of the island’s artistes Page 1 iour, and therefore if peo- consulted or in doubt on out of this pandemic, that we need to put in including Stedson “Red ple are going to allow us to what protocols had to be stronger and fitter as I place.” Plastic Bag” Wiltshire, Health Ministry; a special continue to function as followed, to contact rele- have told you from day During her address, Sister Marshall, Trinity unit to be set up to facili- close to normal, then we vant authorities or her of- one.” Prime Minister Mottley Clarke, Mikey, Bobo, tate requests for bigger need everyone to be each fice pmbarbados@barba- It was also stated that also debuted the song, Alison Hinds, Paula events; and the reopening other’s first own guard and dos.gov.bb to gain informa- next week will be a busy “This is Who We Are”, Hinds, Blood, Gabby and of gyms, which must have as a reminder to their tion.