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The Chase Files Daily Newscap 4/5/2020

Good Morning #realdreamchasers! HAPPY MAY DAY! Here is your daily news cap Monday 4th May, 2020. There is a lot to read and digest so take your time. Remember you can read full articles via Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS), Barbados Today (BT), or by purchasing a Daily Nation Newspaper (DN).

MASCOLL: NO NEED TO PRINT MONEY – Government’s ambitious push for a six per cent surplus under the Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT) programme, sanctioned by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has been readjusted to one per cent. This revelation was made by Government’s Chief Economic Advisor, Ambassador Dr Clyde Mascoll, who contended that since the Mia Amor Mottley administration was still aiming at a net positive in the face of a $2 billion stimulus package to combat the economic effects of COVID-19, recent fears about the printing of money (financing of Government by the Central Bank) had been misplaced. “In these circumstances, we have to relook the capacity of the Government to run a surplus and therefore there has been a reversal to the extent that we will now relax the target of six per cent primary surplus and bring it down closer to one per cent. What is happening in that environment is that once again, Government is going to extract less than when it was having a six per cent surplus. “So, the fiscal room that you are hearing about is that Government no longer has to have a surplus of $600 million. It would instead be around just about $100 million,” said Mascoll, who was a guest today on Starcom Network’s Sunday Brass Tacks radio call-in programme. (DN)

GOVT, NUPW STATEMENT ON NATIONAL ASSISTANCE BOARD – Government and the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) issued a joint statement today after discussions relating to staff of the National Assistance Board (NAB). NUPW President Akanni McDowall said on May 2 that there had been “conflicting information coming from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Elder Affairs” concerning the quarantining of NAB workers. This is after six employees of the state entity tested positive for the coronavirus a week ago. Please see the statement below: Government and the leadership of the National Union of Public Workers met today under the chairmanship of Acting Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw, to discuss a number of matters related to the cluster of positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) diagnosed among the staff of the National Assistance Board (NAB) and the associated implications for the staff, the clients of the NAB and the broader public health management of COVID-19 in Barbados. This meeting was constructive and productive with discussions being guided by three main principles and priorities:

• Protecting the health and wellbeing of the entire staff of the NAB and their families who have been impacted either directly or indirectly by these events

• Ensuring there is no compromise of the health and wellbeing or quality of service delivered to the more than 1 000 clients of the NAB

• Maintaining the principles of sound public health management in the management of this NAB cluster that have guided the implementation of the National Pandemic Plan for COVID-19 in Barbados.

The meeting agreed as follows:

• All members of the staff of the NAB on active duty since the diagnosis of the first case linked to the NAB cluster will be tested for COVID-19

• All members of staff of the NAB testing positive for COVID-19 will go into isolation for treatment at the Harrison’s Point Isolation Centre.

• The entire staff of the Country Road Office of the NAB, which is the main location of the cluster of cases, along with members of their households will undergo a period of 14 days quarantine dating from last exposure to a confirmed case, at facilities designated by the Ministry of Health & Wellness.

• The Government of Barbados through the Ministry of Health & Wellness and the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs will take every reasonable measure to protect and promote the welfare of those in quarantine or isolation including the quality of accommodation, nutrition and access to appropriate pyscho-social support.

• All additional staff of the NAB who may have come into contact with an infected member of staff would have done so outside of the contagious period and therefore there is absolutely no COVID-19 public health risk associated with engagement with the staff of the NAB and therefore no need for the public to be concerned.

• The Home Help Workers and other field staff of the NAB who have been tested for COVID-19 and are negative and who have been assessed and cleared by the Ministry of Health & Wellness will continue their duties in support of the elderly in care or shut-in as of Monday May 4, 2020.

• All Home Help Workers and other field staff of the NAB will continue to be provided with full personal protective equipment (PPE) as per the protocols of the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

• All outstanding payments of wages and salaries to NAB staff which may have been delayed by the requirement of quarantine of the office staff will be paid no later than Tuesday, May 5, 2020.

• The Government of Barbados in consultation with the National Union of Public Workers will develop a channel for communication with the staff of the NAB to keep them abreast of all relevant developments and to assure them of the continuing support of both entities as this situation is managed.(DN)

SHOP OWNER’S PLAN UP IN SMOKE – Wayne “Jingles” Carrington was looking forward to restocking his shop with alcohol and foodstuff with some of the COVID-19 restrictions being lifted from May 4. But he will have to rethink that plan as his uninsured home and shop in Golden Rock, The Pine, St Michael, went up in smoke on Friday night after the gas stove exploded. “I lost all my money. I put the money on the bar with the intentions whenever I get things, I would go out and buy a small portion. When things happen tomorrow, [May 4], I did really plan to restock my place. I tell myself this opening ain’t going be for long, so I will get heavy stock so I would be okay for when that time comes,” he said from his brother’s Wildey, St Michael home today, where he is now staying. The 62-year-old said he had just finished cooking and was about to make some gravy when the incident occurred. (DN)

FOUR HOUSES DAMAGED IN FIRE AT BANK HALL – Four houses were damaged in a fire at Bank Hall, St Michael this morning. Barbados Fire Service Divisional Officer Ernie Fields said firefighters were called to the area at 11:45 for reports of buildings on fire. He said the four houses were occupied by six people but there were no reports of injuries. Three fire engines and 13 firefighters responded to the blaze. Fields said one of the houses was extensively damaged while the others suffered minor damage. The fire was subsequently extinguished. (BT)

UPDATE BODY OF TEEN MISSING AT SEA FOUND – The body of 16-year-old Amalee Mayers of Beach Mount, Bathsheba, St. Joseph who was missing at sea was discovered this morning about 6 a.m. by a resident from the area. Police Public Relations Officer, Inspector (ag) Rodney Inniss said, the body washed up on the beach near the area where he had gone missing near Tent Bay. Police are on the scene conducting the usual protocols of forensic examination. (DN)

IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT NOTICES – The Barbados Immigration Department will reopen on May 4, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. with new guidelines, in an effort to limit the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). A press release from Government said physical interaction with the public will therefore be restricted to people paying outstanding fees, until May 18. All other clients are asked to call 535-4100, or email [email protected]. Clients visiting the department are required to wear masks, whether disposable or cloth, and the physical distancing requirement of remaining at least six feet apart must be observed. Additionally, all applications for the renewal and or grant of any permit or form of status, which expired during the period March 28 to May 4, are now extended until May 30, 2020. New applications will not be accepted until May 30, and applications that have already been submitted will be evaluated and clients ontacted by the relevant personnel. (BGIS)

BARJAM PRESSING ON - A proposal to allow journalists to record court hearings is under consideration following a submission from Barbados Association of Journalists and Media Workers (BARJAM) to Attorney General Dale Marshall. That was one of the initiatives the group announced on May 3, World Press Freedom Day. It said following the request for reporters to do audio recordings of proceedings in court, it was informed that the matter was forwarded to the Registrar of the Supreme Court for discussion with the judiciary. “We look forward to a favourable outcome,” said president Emmanuel Joseph. His comments were contained in a press release to mark World Press Freedom Day in which he also saluted the “hard-working and productive members of the reputable media fraternity in Barbados”. “I say to all media personnel, especially the front-line reporters and photographers and their media houses, stand up and take a bow for weathering the COVID-19 storm which is still raging, to keep this country abreast of developments surrounding this devastating virus. Your day will come for reward in this generally thankless profession,” Joseph said. He stated that while the COVID-19 virus has blocked a number of plans and programmes by BARJAM, including this month’s media awards, there was progress on others. The association made successful representation to the leadership of a key organisation which had on two occasions in February and March, turned away media workers after notices had been sent to the media houses. “Based on the proposals outlined in the entity’s response letter to us, following what they described as a series of miscommunications, and once they act on their measures, the conflict between media professionals and the organisation is unlikely to happen again. “I can also state that a window of hope has been opened for the news media and the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) to work more closely together in a mutual and respectful partnership of information flow. I cannot say anything more specific at this time, except that I represented BARJAM earlier this year where I was invited to address an interactive session for security operations personnel of the BDF during a one-week training workshop in which media relations was a key component,” Joseph stated. Still at the top of BARJAM’s agenda is the establishment of a Benevolent Fund to assist members who fall on hard times and the need for Government to introduce that long-mooted Freedom of Information Bill into Parliament. The media body was recently admitted to sit on the UNDP’s Global Environmental Facility Small Grants Programme National Steering Committee for Barbados. The programme offers financial and technical support to civil society organisations for community-driven projects that contribute to conserving global biodiversity, adapting and mitigating global climate change, protecting international waters and preventing land degradation. (DN)

BACK IN COURT TWO WEEKS LATER – Two weeks after fisherman Anthyne Douglas Jones said he was sorry for having drugs and it would not recur, he was back in court on similar charges. And on May 2, despite the pleas of his attorney Queen’s Counsel Michael Lashley, the 59-year-old, of Colleton, St John, was remanded by Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes. Jones appeared in the District “A” Magistrates’ Court Criminal Court No. 2 charged with possession of cannabis, trafficking and supplying on May Day, in relation to $2 900 in drugs. He pleaded not guilty and prosecutor, Sergeant Theodore McClean, objected to bail, stating that Jones had several convictions for drugs and was before the court only a few weeks ago.(DN)

CONSIGNEES WITH PERSONAL EFFECTS URGED NOT TO COME TO PORT – Consignees with personal effects at the Port of Bridgetown are required to utilize the new Home Delivery System and will not be allowed entry into the Port for collection of shipments. Barbados Port Inc. in collaboration with the Customs & Excise Department, authorized local freight forwarders (consolidators) and truckers, will be offering a full home delivery service for all personal effects, effective Monday May 4. Consignees should not come to the Port. These arrangements will remain in place for the next two weeks to allow for the safe clearance of cargo backlog, without large numbers in Port. The protocol will then be reviewed to gradually allow limited self-service clearance by appointment only. Consignees have the option of working with an: Authorized freight forwarder, Authorized trucker. If you elect to work with a trucker when contacted by your freight forwarder about your cargo, you will be required to contact the trucker of your choice. How it Works - The Freight Forwarder or Trucker will: Manage all relevant documents, Arrange for signature of customs declaration by you, Facilitate processing of the documents through ASYCUDA World, Make arrangements for the processing of all monies (electronic or cash payments) due by you, Confirm with you payments due either on delivery or through pre-payment, Pay all associated fees and duties owed to Customs and the Port on your behalf, Collect your cargo from Shed 2, Deliver your cargo to you, Where cargo has been flagged for inspection by Customs, the shipment may be examined on your behalf by the freight forwarder or trucker, or you may be required to be present in person at the Bridgetown Port for interview. You will be advised by the freight forwarder or trucker. Unless requested to be present at an inspection, you will not be allowed to enter the Port. All persons presenting at the Port of Bridgetown to conduct business are reminded that strict health and safety and social distancing protocols must be observed. All visitors are required to wear face masks, utilize sanitization stations and follow the directives of security personnel. Should you require any assistance, please call 434-6101. (BT)

COVID-19 CASES REACH 82 - A 55-year-old Barbadian male has tested positive for novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the national count to 82. A statement from The Ministry of Health said the latest case, an employee of the National Assistance Board, came into contact with two known cases. He brings the number in isolation to 31. No one was released from isolation today, so the number of recovered people remains at 44. Seven people have died. Fifty-one tests were done by the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory yesterday, and results were returned for 46. The total number of tests done by the laboratory now stands at 2 420. (BGIS)

CHANGES IN PETROLEUM PRICES FROM MIDNIGHT - The retail prices of gasoline, diesel and kerosene will decrease, effective midnight Sunday, May 3. Gasoline will be adjusted from $3.57 per litre to $3.09 per litre, which represents a decrease of 48 cents; the price of diesel will drop by 37 cents, from $2.89 per litre to $2.52 per litre, and kerosene will go from $1.01 per litre to 73 cents per litre, a reduction of 28 cents.These price adjustments are in keeping with Government’s policy of allowing retail prices to be reflective of those on the international market. (BGIS)

The world is facing the rapid spread of the Covid-19 Coronavirus Pandemic. As we continue to do our part in Barbados please remember to stay home but on the days you have to go out wear your masks, practice social distancing (stand 6-10 feet away from each other), practice good daily hygiene, eat healthy, exercise and keep your mind active. There are 242 days left in the year Shalom! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram for your daily news. #thechasefiles #dailynewscaps #bajannewscaps #newsinanutshell #coronavirusinbarbados #nationalresponse #dailynews #thechasefilesblog

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