December 30, 2020
For the second time in less than two weeks, renowned international hotel chain Sandals Resorts has found itself at the centre of controversy regarding flagrant breaches of COVID-19 protocols that this time has led to harsh sanctions from the Government.
But in a strongly worded, exclusive statement to
Barbados TODAY, Sandals Resorts International vehemently refuted the allegations of repeated breaches and is accusing public health officials of heavy-handed action in the middle of dialogue between the hotel and the Ministry of Health.
The five-star property is also contesting an “implication” from authorities that three tourists currently in police custody regarding protocol breaches are in any way associated with its guests.
December 29, 2020
An investigation is underway into reports that a number of hotels are continually breaching COVID-19 protocols, Minister of Health and Wellness Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic, confirmed Monday.
And, if found guilty, the delinquent hoteliers will be immediately delisted from the catalogue of certified quarantine centres as early as Tuesday, he warned.
Lt. Col. Bostic has also put tourists on notice that evading quarantine could land them a six-month stay at Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) Dodds.
The health minister told journalists: We’ve had some breaches from quarantine. We’ve taken swift action to correct those and we are satisfied that we have those breaches under control.
Quarantining visitors ‘under scrutiny’ by MOH unit
Article by December 23, 2020
Head of the national COVID-19 Monitoring Unit Ronald Chapman has promised the highest level of scrutiny and swift sanctions against local hotels, resorts and other local properties where visitors are found to be in breach of the country’s quarantine protocols.
In an interview with
Barbados TODAY, Chapman revealed that the surveillance of specific guests is not within the unit’s purview, but warned that managers of local accommodations can be held liable.
The public health official explained that arriving passengers are given a red wristband at the country’s ports of entry, which indicate that they are supposed to enter and remain in quarantine at an approved government facility or at an approved property, including select hotels, villas and guest houses.
Full disclosure
Article by December 23, 2020
Minister of Health and Wellness Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic is adamant that Barbadians were given all of the information at his disposal regarding a small spike in COVID-19 cases over the weekend, that was eventually linked to a “cluster”.
And today, he along with Minister of Tourism and International Transport Senator Lisa Cummins, re-affirmed their confidence in the country’s existing protocols and monitoring mechanism despite concern from the public.
Barbados TODAY on Monday disclosed troubling details about a breach of quarantine protocols involving at least one visitor from the United Kingdom that resulted in a small COVID-19 cluster on the West Coast.
Ministry of Health monitors vacation property group
Article by December 22, 2020
The Ministry of Health and Wellness has confirmed the existence of a “small cluster” of positive COVID-19 cases originating at a St James property.
Barbados TODAY learned of the unfolding events less than 24 hours after Minister of Health and Wellness Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic spoke of “potential developments” relating to 14 recent cases that may have to be relayed to Barbadians “if the situation warrants”.
At the time, Minister Bostic confirmed that some locals and visitors had been “deliberately” flouting the country’s COVID-19 protocols. Subsequent investigations revealed that an alleged protocol breach at the West Coast property involving one of two UK visitors is at the root of the cluster.