The Emergency Powers (Curfew) Order 2021, which governs the curfew put in place due to the sudden rise in Covid-19 cases, will be extended for one week.
The announcement was made by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit during an interview with News Editor at State-Owned DBS Radio, Curtis Matthew, on Sunday night.
On Tuesday, August 3rd, Dominica introduced a curfew and other strong measures to deal with a sudden rise in Covid-19 cases. The Curfew Order came into effect from 6:00 pm to 5:00am daily from Tuesday August 3, 2021 for 7 days.
The existing order comes to an end on Tuesday 10th August 2021, and will be extended from Tuesday 10th, August to the 17th of August 2021.
According to the Ministry of Health, Dominica now has 179 active Covid-19 cases.
“The situation is concerning, so therefore, we are extending it [the emergency period] to the 17th August,” Prime Minister Skerrit explained.
The Prime Minister explained that from the 1st of August the country has been in a state of emergency and curfew.
“And when you’re in a state of emergency and a curfew, it means therefore, that you’re in a 24 hours curfew but the law allows for exemptions to allow you to go and carry out certain duties, certain activities,” he stated.
Skerrit added, “This coming week will be similar to the week just passed, so what you were allowed to do last week and what you were not allowed to do last week is the same thing you will be allowed to do this week and it’s the same thing you won’t be allowed to do this week.”
Every day from Monday 9th August to the 17th August, according to the Prime Minister, everyone must stay inside from 6:00pm to 5:00am the following day.
He warns that if individuals have no reason to access any services that are exempted from the order, “you are to stay home.”
“You cannot just leave home and say you are going to town, you must be going to do something in town,” Skerrit pointed out.
Vendors are allowed to sell their produce on the Bay Front (Dame Eugenia Charles Boulevard) during the week, however, the produce must be kept on their vehicles and the Mahaut and Portsmouth market will also be be opened.
“We will allow activity for Saturday from 6am to 1pm and the curfew comes into effect at 3pm until Monday at 5am,” the Prime Minister explained.
He said the only three additions to the exemptions during the extension are, to allow the lawyers to go to their offices but not to accept any clients and to allow people to pay their insurance and to purchase spare parts.
Some of the emergency measures which are already in effect are as follows:
- All non-essential businesses are to remain closed, while essential businesses are allowed to remain opened between the hours of 6:00am and 4:00pm
- Essential workers including people working at the ports, healthcare workers, banks and credit unions, hardware stores, telecoms and broadcasting, pharmacies, farmers, security services, utilities—the exhaustive list will be published.
These measures will also exclude workers and people who are (1) travelling in and out of the country, (2) seeking medical care, (3) shopping for necessities, (4) banking but by appointment only, (5) caring for a family member, pet or livestock and (6) involved in construction, farming and manufacturing, – all of whom will be allowed to continue their activity.
Other measures are:
- The hours of operation for businesses that are allowed to open are from 6:00am to 4:00pm.
- All businesses must ensure physical distancing measures of 6 ft apart are maintained and should control the number of customers inside of the premises to ensure no more than 4 customers per aisle.
- ALL Bars and nightclubs will remain closed.
- Restaurants No dining-in (take-outs only)
- No consumption of alcohol in the public.
- Churches and other places of Worship are to remain closed.
- Weddings are to be limited to 5 people while funerals are to be no more than 10 individuals
- The following will NOT be permitted: a. Private parties, b. Recreational or sporting events c. Social events d. Meetings of fraternal societies or of clubs e. Group tours f. Loud music
- Public Transportation will be restricted to 3 individuals per row,
- There will be no visitation to the Hospital, Prison, Infirmary or Quarantine Facility.
- The airports and seaports will remain open 16. Remember that masks are mandatory by law AND
- The penalty for people who fail to comply with the Order has been increased to $5,000.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister is encouraging the adult population to get vaccinated.
5. “Churches and other places of Worship are to remain closed.”
Actually that should be # 1 instead of number 5, since you don’t need them to pray and fast anymore. Mission accomplish so pack them as vessels of dishonor until you need them again
The present curfew and economic conditions in Dominica scream for a stimulus package. Talk about this too, Mr. Skerrit.
Many families are at their wits end. They don’t have a clue as to how to survive through this nightmarish situation. You (Mr. Skerrit) have to be a demonic sadist to have the wherewithal to bring relief to hapless, helpless, suffering citizens and you stubbornly refused to do so..
How on earth do you sleep at nights knowing fully well that thousands of babies, children, the elderly, women and men would go to sleep on empty stomachs while you live in blissful comfort by riding on tax payers’ backs.
Mr. Skerrit you have ready access to billions of the people’s money. Why are you insisting on withholding all of it from them? Let me remind you that it’s not your personal saving account, it’s the people’s patrimony. STIMULUS PACKAGE NOW!
Ibo, The fact that you being on this forum day and night writing all sorts of lies and your criminal brains is indeed your backside, talking and making fools of yourself thinking you lots can over throw Pm Dr Skerrit, I say bring it on you may not like what you all wishing for baby!!!!!
It is encouraging news that Dominica has now received another 12,000 doses of the AstraZenica vaccine. Many developing countries are being denied access to vaccines. In the UK, where over 70% of the population are now vaccinated, daily infection numbers are falling despite the lifting of covid restrictions three weeks ago. Over 97% of of those hospitalized with covid are unvaccinated. I therefore urge unvaccinated Dominicans to get protected asap. By protecting themselves they are protecting us all.
Good morning Colin. Thanks for your input.
” Many developing countries are being denied access to vaccines. In the UK, where over 70% of the population are now vaccinated, daily infection numbers are falling despite the lifting of covid restrictions three weeks ago. ”
Can you please list some of those “Many” developing countries which you say are being denied access to the vaccines?
Also, where can I find the report and statistics to support what you say about the UK.
Thanks
Only about 1% of the African population has so far been vaccinated. The online Daily Mail has been reporting the drop in numbers recently. RT.com is also a good source of news. It has 3 weekly current event shows based in the UK – The Alex Salmond show, George Galloway’s Sputnik, Ross Ashcroft’s Renegade Inc and 3 times a week Afshin Rattansi hosts Going Underground.