BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Prime Minister Mia Mottley has acknowledged that the economy could lose as much as BDS$25 million (US$12.5 million) as a result of the two-week lockdown that will go into effect next month.
However, during a televised address in which she said the country would be on a two-week lockdown next month to reduce the risk of further COVID-19 spread, Mottley said saving the lives of Barbadians was a priority.
Lamenting three elderly people’s deaths in a one-week period, which marked the first COVID-deaths since the seven recorded up to April 2020, the Prime Minister said the two-week period of “national pause” was necessary.
“We can’t guarantee that we won’t lose others, but we’re going to guarantee that we fight like hell not to lose any. What will it cost us? Probably a significant amount, probably close to $20-$25 million over the next two weeks, and probably deeper in terms of wider economic impact,” she said.
“For sure, the economy is going to be seriously affected, but as we discussed with the International Monetary Fund’s Fiscal Affairs mission up to yesterday, we must spend what we will, and we will keep the receipts and be accountable. But what we are not going to do is we are not going to sacrifice people at the altar of expediency or at the altar of simply trying to hold on to a dollar that is likely to be lost because of the level of deaths in the long run.”
Prime Minister Mottley said she was confident the economy would eventually bounce back.
“We need to bring the country back to a level of stability and to recognize that there will be sacrifices, there will be difficulties….We have to rebuild this economy from scratch again, but I feel we can do it…because having done it once, I know we can do it twice.
“But what I cannot do is to bring back those three people who have passed. I ask all Barbadians to recognize that we are in this together. Life has always been valued in this country. Many nations across the world have lost hundreds, thousands, and in some instances, millions. We have lost 10, but for us, that is 10 too many,” she said.
Mottley indicated that the government’s mantra is safe people, safe work, safe country, and, therefore, choosing to save lives must be the first objective.
The government is implementing a February 3-7 lockdown that will see the country facing extended and longer curfew hours, essential services exemptions, and advanced restrictions. There are community spread and the UK variant of the virus present on the island.
Supermarkets, pharmacies, and gas stations will be open during the period. Still, community shops, markets, bars, restaurants, and gyms will be closed, and there will also be a cessation of vending.
Other than those that would be exempted as essential activities in the public or private sector, all other activities will not be allowed to continue during the lockdown period.
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