BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - BARBADOS has joined Grenada in pulling out of the proposed CARICOM Bubble after territories that were part of the initiative continue to see increasing numbers of positive COVID-19 cases via community spread.
Reports out of Bridgetown today (Nov. 2) stated that Prime Minister Mia Mottley said she has a responsibility of putting the lives and livelihood of Barbadians first.
Two territories in the Bubble, St. Lucia and Antigua-Barbuda, in recent days have seen increasing case numbers which have spurred the changes.
Under the CARICOM Bubble, residents are free to travel and not have to be quarantined once they present a negative PCR test upon arrival at the end destination.
However, PM Mottley, in announcing sweeping changes to the country’s COVID-19 protocols, said that all persons travelling from high-risk, medium or low-risk destinations “have to have a PCR test before entering”.
She added: “And secondly that then they will be subject to the second test within four to five days after that first test.”
In St. Kitts and Nevis, CMO Dr. Laws at Wednesday’s NEOC media brief told reporters that they are reviewing the developments within the Bubble to see if it remains feasible to continue operating.
In Grenada, the Government on Friday moved in the Parliament to officially withdraw from the CARICOM Travel Bubble due to the spike in cases.
On Saturday, last, while speaking on the Browne and Browne Show on Pointe FM, Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne indicated that the CARICOM Travel Bubble has burst.
Reports out of St. Lucia confirmed that the island has seen 34 confirmed cases over the last several weeks, with six confirmed yesterday alone.
No official word has been made in Basseterre about the way forward regarding St. Kitts and Nevis’ presence in what pieces are left of the CARICOM Travel Bubble.
