By Sue-Ann Wayow
ONLY fully vaccinated persons over the age of 12 will be allowed to enter restaurants, cinemas, places of entertainment, casinos, betting shops, gyms and fitness centres from October 11.
The owners of these “safe zones” are to ensure all employees are also fully vaccinated and must have proof of vaccinations on the premises. Those who patronise these establishments must also present proof of their vaccination.
Owners will be liable for their employees vaccination status.
These announcements were made on Wednesday by Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young at a press conference hosted by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.
In the first phase of this roll out, Young also said only 50% capacity will be allowed and there are to be no consumption of alcohol on the premises.
Young added that the details in terms of law are still being worked out and will be finalised by October 11.
Curfew time shifts
Dr Rowley also announced that from Monday, the curfew time will be shifted from 9pm to 10pm.
While he said he could hear that the new measures were “ new and oppressive” it was not a new model being used to ensure safety of all citizens of a country.
Protection in vaccinated children
Dr Rowley is also maintaining that only vaccinated schoolchildren will be allowed on the school’s compound on October 4.
He admitted that only 39,000 children were vaccinated out of a possible 60,000 to 70,000 which was disappointing.
Dr Rowley said, “Surprisingly, we are not anywhere near the target that have set.”
The prime minister said the loss of the opportunity to attend physical classes carried the same significance as if an adult lost his or her job.
And he also said major drives have been done to educate teachers to be vaccinated and he hoped that they will make the responsible choice.
“The protection is in the vaccinated children,” he emphasised.
While he said the Government has not adopted dictatorial methodologies regarding administering of the vaccines, he is hoping that the population makes the right choice to get vaccinated.
