est. 2007

Barbados Underground

Bringing News and Opinions to the People

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BU Covid Dash – Economic Effect

In the business world there is the familiar quote “culture eats strategy for breakfast”. It simple terms it does not matter the policy implemented, it is the prevailing culture that will determine the degree of success. The headline in today’s Sunday Sun Bookings Take a Hit was predicted in this space months ago. In our…

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In the business world there is the familiar quote “culture eats strategy for breakfast”. It simple terms it does not matter the policy implemented, it is the prevailing culture that will determine the degree of success.

The headline in today’s Sunday Sun Bookings Take a Hit was predicted in this space months ago. In our tourism source markets of UK, Canada and the USA there has been high penetration of COVID 19 vaccination of the population that has permitted a return to some since of ‘normalcy’. We observe people in those markets attending sports events, travelling in unrestricted numbers, dining and other pre Covid 19 activities.

While the developed world is moving ahead with finding ways to coexist with coronavirus, Barbados with an economy solely dependent on tourism continues to be engaged in analysis paralysis. Before the pandemic Barbados was a country up to its ‘wazoo’ in debt – easy access to credit at the household and government level, we have developed an addiction to consumption and less to promoting a culture of excellence; high productivity, customer service, innovated and creative thinking to name a few.

It was easy to have predicted tourists – who have the final say where they want to spend – would want to relax at a destination where there is peace of mind. The current situation where Covid 19 numbers are surging for the world to see, we find ourselves in a pickle given the reluctance by government after government to mitigate risks associated with an over dependence on tourism. We the people are not entirely blameless, we have never felt the need to forcefully protest against lazy policies of successive government. The blogmaster buys into the position ‘people deserve the government they get‘.

After more than a decade in the economic doldrum and Barbadians described as suffering from economic fatigue, we are also being described as suffering from Covid 19 fatigue. The effect of the two ‘afflictions’ do not augur well for the future. The reality is that people must adapt to the environment in which they have to exist. If we want to enjoy the benefits (earning hard currency) of being an idyllic, iconic destination we know what we have to do. If we want to engage in analysis paralysis and bellyache about Covid fatigue then suffer the consequences. What should be obvious is that this stage of the game, we cannot pivot to replace the direct and indirect contribution to GDP in the short term. That boat has sailed.

Here is he latest BU Covid 19 Dashboard prepared by Lyall Small.

Attached are 2 charts for last week. We appear to be at a point where the cases per day have been fluctuating around 300 for nearly 2 weeks now. This suggests to me that there has not been an explosive growth in cases over that period and that there is therefore a reasonable chance that we could be nearing a plateau and then a decrease in cases. However, it can go any way and we all should do our individual parts in scrupulously adhering to the protocols, using our common sense and taking the vaccine – Lyall Small

256 responses to “BU Covid Dash – Economic Effect”

  1. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Strictly speaking Barbados is not a real Country as it is so small
    but this thing called life is all about the duration
    the bible is full of random idioms and proverbs
    God loves Bajans and Non-Bajans

    Midnight Mass
    What Happens When We Die

    Ecclesiastes 9:11 ~ The race is not given to the swift or to the strong but to the one who endures to the end…

  2. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Size has nothing to do with whether or not we are a country.

  3. angela cox Avatar
    angela cox

    Hardly gets involved in these Covid debates as they become boring and monotonous
    However COVID has not stop govt from barreling towards Barbados becoming a.Republic
    For all intents and with purpose of entertaining the dispora generating forex and bringing more tourist to the island
    Having high expectations of forex planted on the island
    Giving the locals something out of the COvid environment to look forward which can become a release valve from Covid fatigue
    The hotel industry bellyaching is not new
    But it would be of interest to know who are those in the hotel industry complaining of cancelled bookings
    Just read that during COVID Jamaica Tourism industry generated in 2021 1.2 billion and over 1 million visitors amidst increase numbers in Covid infections
    Barbados on the other hand did not have the big out breaks earlier until recently
    How is it that the tourism industry in Jamaica can generate that much forex during high rates of Covid infections but Barbados with lower rates have not
    Yet as Govt pursue a path of having to generate income for the tourism industry during Independence and bringing the country into a Republic most of which can generate fast cash for the hotel industry the hoteliers cannot help themselves but to belly ache instead of being innovative and helping to find ways to fight against these cancellations

  4. David Avatar
    David

    BOOKINGSnTAKE A HIT
    By Gercine Carter
    gercinecarter@nationnews.com

    Barbados’ hotel sector is battling a wave of cancellations of bookings.
    This development threatens to wreck hopes for the strong tourism rebound anticipated this winter season.
    Officials at the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) sounded the alarm about the number of reports of cancelled bookings received from members last week and on Friday, one hotelier told the Sunday Sun his hotels had as many as 718 bookings cancellations between September 1 and for October.
    In the case of another hotelier, cancellations for the period between October and December represented close to $3 million in lost business.
    Factors such as the number of unvaccinated Barbadians working in the tourism sector, the current surge in COVID-19 cases, the island’s protocols and curfew were said to be the main reasons given for the cancellations.
    Reeling
    Head of the Sun Group, veteran hotelier Bernie Weatherhead, said his four hotels – Sugar Cane Club, Time Out Hotel, Worthing Court and Savannah Beach Hotel – were all “reeling” from the cancelled bookings.
    “Our numbers are floating up and we are concerned,” Weatherhead said.
    “Unless guests feel that they can come here and be safe, they are not coming.”
    He is encouraging his staff to get vaccinated and disclosed a policy to be effected from November 1 that will require staff to produce a certificate of vaccination or be tested every week at their own expense. This has moved some unvaccinated staff to take the jab, Weatherhead said, as he maintained his intention was “to protect the vaccinated people in my hotel” and “the vaccinated guests”.
    The vaccination issue was also highlighted by the BHTA’s first vice president and hotel owner Renee Coppin Friday during her participation in their programme on Voice of Barbados.
    “I don’t think issues of public health should come down to personal choice,” Coppin said, while revealing her hotels Infinity on the Beach and Pirate’s Inn had received 81 cancellations. She said it was a reflection of what was happening overall in the sector. “All of us are reporting high cancellations and our repeats don’t feel safe to be here,” Coppin said.
    According to group general manager for Ocean Hotels, Patricia Affonso-Dass, the group’s three hotels, South Beach, Sea Breeze Beach House and their new O2 Beach Club and Spa, have between them lost “just under $3 million in business that was booked between October and December.”
    “In most cases visitors are concerned about safety with respect to the level of vaccinations generally as a destination, but more specifically in the industry, because in many of the countries that these guests are coming from, staff are required to be vaccinated. In their estimation they are leaving a place that is safer than the place that they are going to. That has been a big part of the reason for our industry’s advocacy for vaccine requirements,” said the former president of the BHTA and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association.
    “We have a strong winter ahead of us on the books, but we are seeing that business now cancelled. About the winter, we continue to hope that people get vaccinated and that the demand for the destination remains strong,” she said.
    Meanwhile, Affonso-Dass said the hotels continued to work “extremely hard” on vaccine sensitisation and education among staff, which had to date resulted in 69 per cent of staff receiving the first vaccine dose.
    The 90-room Coral Reef Club and 50room Sandpiper Hotel on the West Coast hotelier Wayne Capaldi said.
    “The situation is we are getting cancellations at quite a rate for November and December at this point in time. Both of our hotels have been really reeling under the cancellations. It started about two and a half weeks ago,” Capaldi told the Sunday Sun.
    However, for his large clientele of repeat winter guests who represent the high end of the tourism spectre, vaccination is not the main issue.
    Capaldi said: “The single biggest issue is the curfew. People are not prepared to spend that kind of money to be told they have to be back in their room by 9 p.m. Number two is the possibility of isolation at Harrison Point and third, our protocols as they currently stand are a huge deterrent for us. Our cancellations are coming in fast and furious.”
    The former president of the BHTA insisted the decision-makers, the health officials and representatives from the tourism sector must meet to iron out these issues.
    “I really would like to urge the authorities to come fast and let us look at these protocols with a view to changing them” he said. With around 49 per cent of staff vaccinated, the two west coast hotels will be staging a mobile vaccination drive next week for staff their friends and family.
    “If the country does not have a winter season, I think it is going to be a very difficult 2022” Capaldi said.

    Source: Nation

  5. David Avatar
    David

    The numbers don’t lie

    The Prime Minister has once again resisted the increasing pressure from the private sector and the Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association to impose mandatory vaccinations for workers.
    In a recent press conference, the Prime Minister [Mia Amor Mottley] again stated that Government will not impose a national or sectoral vaccine mandate. A review of other Caribbean countries shows that those with the highest vaccination rates achieved them without mandates. To date, only three islands, Antigua, Guyana and St Vincent and the Grenadines have imposed vaccine or testing mandates, and these islands have what I would call embattled leaders.
    Despite these mandates, to date less than 20 per cent of the population in St Vincent has been vaccinated and only 29.05 per cent of the population in Guyana has been fully vaccinated. Barbados has almost double the vaccination rate of both these islands even without a mandate.
    The evidence strongly suggests that in the Caribbean more success is achieved without a mandate.
    There has been a significant increase in vaccine uptake in Barbados since the Prime Minister announced in late August that no mandate would be imposed. Between August 22 to the time of writing this article, the number of persons who received their first dose rose from 103 200 to 143 661. This represents approximately 40 000 people who received their first dose within the last seven weeks and is more than the number of first doses received between June 22 to August 22 when only 10 326 people received their first dose (moved from 92 874 to 103 200).
    The Government’s decision not to mandate vaccines, together with the providing of additional vaccine brands and more vaccination centres, has more than tripled vaccine uptake in the last two months. So why are segments of the business and tourism sector so critical of the decision not to introduce a mandate when the figures show the Government’s method is working better than other islands that introduced mandates?
    At least one company has required employees who work remotely to produce bi-weekly negative PCR tests even if they don’t visit the office – failing which, they will not be paid.
    How can an employee who is working from home threaten the safety of other employees or customers? On the flip side, I continue to see high vaccination rates in businesses where employees were allowed the freedom to choose being vaccinated without deadlines or the threat of job loss.
    Guidance notes
    I hope businesses will await the Government’s plan and timeline for the proposed safe zones and cease all forms of testing and vaccine mandates in the interim. I am curious to see how the Government will implement the “guidance notes” from the Ministry of Health for the establishment of the proposed safe zones. Unless they are integrated into existing or standalone legislation, they will lack the legislative force to override existing labour laws.
    On another note, I was intrigued by the address given by the Chief Justice, the Honourable Sir Patterson Cheltenham QC at the recent opening ceremony of the law courts. During his address, the Chief Justice spoke of ways in which he aggressively attacked the backlog of cases that has long plagued the judiciary. Within less than a year in office, the Chief Justice was able to successfully mobilise the efforts of the judiciary and the Registry to significantly reduce the backlog of cases in the Court of Appeal.
    Active cases were given hearing dates for case management or trials, and outstanding decisions were delivered. The majority of the backlog that now remains consists of dormant cases that litigants and/or their attorneys have failed to pursue since filing.
    Additional efforts to reduce the backlog in the other courts include encouraging judges to write shorter judgments and to give oral decisions where possible. Attorneys are advised against seeking adjournments except as a last resort and are encouraged to provide shorter briefs and submissions.
    Michelle M. Russell is an attorney at law with a passion for employment law and labour matters and a budding social activist. Email: mrussell.ja@gmail.com

    Source: Nation

  6. David Avatar
    David

    A beautiful moment of national transformation
    This is a novel moment in Barbados’ history. It is a transitional moment.
    Things are always in transition, but that transition is not also so evident.
    You don’t necessarily feel yourself growing from a baby to an adult. You don’t easily see the process of the wind and sea wearing away at a rock.
    You just go to the East Coast one day and say, “Wait! When dat happen?” As a youth, you meet someone who you haven’t seen for a summer and they say, “Wait! You shoot up!”
    When we can clearly see change in process, it is either because it is tumultuous change or it is a transitional moment. Tumultuous change is like when the wind and sea are riled up by a violent weather system. The rock will change right before your very eyes. A transitional moment is like when your mother goes to give you a slap and for the first time ever you raise your hand to shield from the blow and your mother realises, maybe also for the first time, that you are larger than she is.
    This moment in Barbados’ history is novel because it is tumultuous and transitional at the same time.
    The transitions have been going on for a long time, but we may have not paid full attention. Like how the boy’s mother saw the stubble emerge on his chin but maybe was too busy to really think about the implications.
    If she had been paying attention, if she had been a better parent, that tense moment may have been avoided. She may have been able to assist in facilitating a smooth transition.
    But mothers have a lot to do, often with little help. It’s a lot to ask to tend to the finances, the upkeep of the house and also the psychological development of a child.
    And so the boy’s transition to greater responsibility is tumultuous and marked by a period of discord.
    If he and his mother are able to recognise what is happening, they can make the moment beautiful. If not, their relationship may be strained forever.
    Barbados is a young nation in a tumultuous transitional moment.
    The nation is growing up. It remains to be seen if it is actually maturing or can capture the moment in order to mature. There have been several signs. The latest is the controversy surrounding comments made by director of the Education Reform Unit, Dr Idamay Denny.
    In a younger Barbados her comments may not have raised a hair on an eyebrow. Educators, as authority figures, were feared – if not respected – and were often thought to be beyond reproach. Such was the deference and leeway given to persons in positions of authority to say and do what they felt like.
    Another significant moment, analogous to stubble on the nation’s chin, was the march against mandatory vaccination. Two thousand Barbadians took to the streets to let their voices be heard. It was not politically organised, nor was it a religious gathering. It was, as we sometimes say, the people’s pee starting to froth, a sign that “dey getting big” and will not yield as easily as before.
    Yet another sign was the public response, not to the Trojan Riddim, but to the official response to the
    Trojan Riddim. The outrage and the call for an apology from more conservative and traditional segments of society were drowned out by the voices of those who saw this scolding and response as out of place. People in positions of authority can’t talk to Bajans any old how anymore.
    This must have some segments of society very worried. And this is understandable. If your mother is accustomed controlling you with a heavy hand and all of a sudden she realises that your hand is heavier than hers, she may not know what to do. But if she is wise and you are ready, that moment can be a beautiful transitional moment, where greater levels of communication, cooperation and understanding enter the relationship.
    Barbados is a young nation. Its smooth transition to maturity will depend heavily on how those in authority handle this tumultuous moment in history, these moments of tension. We have the chance to create a beautiful moment of national transformation.
    Adrian Green is a communications specialist. Email: Adriangreen14@gmail.com

    Source: Nation

  7. John A Avatar
    John A

    We must really try and leave politics one side sometimes and look at our reality.

    Barbados now has one of the highest rates of covid case as a percentage of those tested in the world! Stop and think on that for a while. Why would fully vaccinated tourist come here where their taxi driver or waiter may not be vaccinated ? They are too many other destinations globally where cases per thousand tested are way lower than ours and the hotel and front line workers are fully vaccinated.

    Secondly why would a tourist come here now and have to be back in their room by 9pm? That means having a 7pm dinner booking at the latest and then going to bed with the fowls.

    My point is unless we impose mandatory vaccination or make it within the right of every business place to request proof of full vaccination for entry, we are wasting our time with these other methods like safety zones etc.

    It’s simple either present proof of full vaccination or be subjected to a rapid Antigen test at the door at your cost, they should be the 2 options. Instead of the vaccinated being punished with curfews and all the rest of it, force the unvaxxed to stand home by the simple fact that they will be restricted from entering any business place. Block chefette door and see how fast they head for the vaxx! Lol

    Point is this half patch don’t offend approach is not working. Forget the trying to be everyone’s friend and do what must be done so we can at least get the second part of the winter season, as the early part is already lost.

  8. GP Avatar
    GP

    WE AINT SEE NUTTIN YET
    IN A SHORT TIME FROM NOW WE WILL REACH THE END POINT WHICH IS A TOTAL AND SUDDEN TERMINATION OF THE WORLD ECONOMY AS DESCRIBED IN REVELATION 18. ESPECIALLY V 18 WHERE WE ARE TOLD And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,

    EVEN NOW THIS IS BEING PREFIGURED IN CALIFORNIAN PORTS
    MOST CERTAINLY VERSE 11 REFERS TO US
    And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
    OUR MERCHANDISE IS SEA SUN SURF AND SEX IN BARBADOS

    AND THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS OR BIRTH PANG SYMPTOMS OF THE FAST APPROACHING ESCHATON. ACCORDING JESUS’ PREDICTION IN THE OLIVET DISCOURSE IN MATHHEW 24

    7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
    MORE PESTILENCES TO COME MEANS LESS TOURISTS WILL BE COMING
    THIS WILL CERTAINLY DISRUPT OUR “”ECOLOGY”

    O ME MISERUM
    WE AINT SEE NUTTIN YET

  9. angela cox Avatar
    angela cox

    A story which was being told which convey a recent episode of visiting Barbados and staying at a hotel having an experience which they considered not to be welcoming and where the convience of having air condition was limited to the area of customer arrival
    Apparently there are some hotels which are streamlined on cheap booking pkgs and which are in poor disarray for meeting customer convience
    If Hotels want to meet a certain threshold which accommodates visitors and they cannot
    When word spread of negative experience by visitors with or without COVID these hotels would have large cancellations

  10. David Avatar
    David

    @John A

    You know what they say, he who pays the piper calls the tune. It will not take much for the economy to unravel if we cannot earn forex. As you know tourism contributes 60% of GDP directly and indirect. If the hospitality industry collapses what? Many of the hotels large and small not to forget Airbnbs owe on mortgages. Many public servants and pensions how will they be paid if government’s revenue is compromised? We are not being dispassionate as a nation how we manage the challenges confronting us.

    It is laudable for MOTTLEY to try to champion support from international agencies to support SMEs but there must be commensurate cultural change on the ground. There is a big disconnect between civil society actors notwithstanding the existence of the social partnership

  11. GP Avatar
    GP

    WE NEED TO GO ABOUT TREATING THE VIRUS CORRECTLY IF WE WILL SURVIVE ITS “ECOLOGICAL” EFFECTS
    START SHARING OUT CHEAP DRUGS INSTEAD OF VACCINES

    THINK………. IS IT EVEN POSSIBLE THAT THE VACCINATED ARE INFECTING THE UNVACCINATED……..SINCE DEATHS AND INFECTIONS HAVE SOARED SINCE MANY HAVE BEEN VACCINATED?

    AFTER ALL THESE “VACINES” WERE NOT DEVELOPED AS USUAL, WERE THEY?
    WHAT KIND OF VACCINES ARE THEY? DO WE KNOW? ARE THEY LIVE?

    ARE WE LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS, EG JOHN KNOX’S WATER THEORY OR IS IT VAX OR DIE?
    THERE IS A HYMN OH HOW SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS

    I HAVE CHANGED THE WORDS SLIGHTLY
    BET WUNNAH CAN GUESS THE FIRST LINE.

  12. John A Avatar
    John A

    @ David

    I spoke Friday with a hotelier friend of mine who said the cancellations were rolling in, but while the high positive rate was the main reason, some also asked if his entire staff was vaccinated. To which he had to admit no they are not. So we have 2 issues threatening the industry, one is infection rate and the other lack of full vaccination.

  13. David Avatar
    David

    @John A

    This is what is meant by referring to the industry as fickle. In this case potential tourists do not want to hear arguments about vaccinated people can spread the virus or there being less load etc, they want to know the local environment is mirroring where they come from to realize peace of mind. We have stuck our eyes in one basket now we have to live with the consequences. Bear in mind there is the issue of whether/when/if to administer booster shots.

  14. Mathew 5:5 Avatar
    Mathew 5:5

    “Size has nothing to do with whether or not we are a country.”

    Yes indeed D
    it was a throw away musing like a disposable tissue intended by design to wake up and shake up bajan people who were still asleep
    (you may notice the diabolical robot biblical idiot has started his usual mental masturbation with erectile dysfunction MO so here is one more common idiom proverbial text random bibliomancy reading from the book of google for dull witted retarded scholars heads to cut and paste to represent manifestations revealed in these times of Corona which may or may not resonate with you but most definitely went over somebody’s big head)

    Blessed are the meek:

    for they shall inherit the earth.

    Blessed are the gentle,

    for they shall inherit the earth.

    μακάριοι οἱ πραεῖς,

    ὅτι αὐτοὶ κληρονομήσουσιν τὴν γῆν.

  15. John Avatar
    John

    https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/covid-cases-in-russia-rocket-70-in-a-month/ar-AAPCMZr?ocid=msedgntp

    https://floodlist.com/tag/russia

  16. John A Avatar
    John A

    @David

    Yes you are correct. The other issue is we have to remember that the UK visitors and the Europeans are accustom having to show proof of vaccination to enter most places at home already, so if we went with showing proof of vaccination here that would not be an imposition on them. This though is what gives them the comfort to go to a restaurant at home for example. They know that everyone in there with them also had to show proof of vaccination. So no curfews, just carry your vaxx card with you and give businesses the right to decline entry to all those who don’t have it.

    I mean it don’t take no scientist to see their infection rates falling and we here with curfews etc ones climbing.

  17. GP Avatar
    GP

    RE I mean it don’t take no scientist to see their infection rates falling and we here with curfews etc ones climbing.
    DOES THAT NOT TELL YOU THAT WE ARE DOING SOMETHING WRONG?

  18. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    There is no truth in science say the Bajan scholars who can not observe happenings properly
    the virus is going viral and stupid trolls are blaming Government with their lack of reasoning
    copying memes and tropes from the far right corners of the net
    some are even making up and spamming their own nonsense

  19. John Avatar
    John

    The Brits looking at seaweed farms!!

    https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/uks-hidden-goldmine-of-seaweed-to-invigorate-brexit-britains-economy-and-slash-emissions/ar-AAPAHcp?ocid=msedgdhp

  20. TLSN Avatar
    TLSN

    “We must really try and leave politics one side sometimes and look at our reality.”

    Is John A, BU’s equivalent of the hapless and clueless Lisa Cummins from the BLP.

    John A, you do realise when our Covid-19 figures were in the basement how our government encouraged tourists to visit the island as it was been promoted as a safer place to visit and stay then their country of origins. Can you remember these same hoteliers, whom I may add are predominantly foreign and members of minority communities, were pushing their young and impressionable staff to serve mindless and self-indulgent tourists without wearing masks! Incase it would make them, the tourists, feel uncomfortable!

    You cannot have it both ways. I was one of the few who called for the GOB to seal off the borders in the same manner as Australia, New Zealand and a number of other responsible countries. Such a period would have brought new ideas and renewal to the country’s economy; with an emphasis on regrading the country’s dismal and unsustainable tourism product.

    I for one would be happy to see the total collapse of this industry. Out of the ashes we will see the regrowth of an industry that serves and enhances the country’s ecology and the development of a local economy which brings prosperity to all not just to a few.

  21. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    @ John A October 17, 2021 7:01 AM

    We should by no means dismiss John A’s arguments as DLP party propaganda.Tron, as the most loyal paladin of our Supreme Leader, sees it the same way. Let me sharpen John A’s arguments a bit, in typical Tron-style.

    Unfortunately, it appears that our home-grown no-vaxx terrorists under the leadership of this Muslim Brotherhooder not only started the Delta wave in Barbados in August. No, they have also been running our Corona politics ever since. Our government is bowing to these domestic terrorists through a lukewarm Corona policy instead of boosting tourism and protecting our people.

    What is clear is that our tourists feel screwed. On the one hand, they are supposed to pay lots of money for a PCR test before entry and a quarantine hotel, even though they are fully vaccinated and will not, by any scientific standards, fall seriously ill themselves. On the other hand, the official line in Barbados is that there is freedom of choice when it comes to local vaccination. Many locals will therefore remain permanently unvaccinated. There is obviously a disparity here between these very strict measures against tourists and these zero measures against our locals. Unbiased observers might interpret this as xenophobia or even racism against white guests. I say this not because I see it that way myself, but because many tourists do so. Government really needs to understand that point.

    We cannot at the same time reprimand our guests Corona-Taliban style and expect the strictest standards from them, when at the same time our locals are allowed to do whatever they want. That would be like the cook and the waiter being allowed to spit in the soup and touch the dishes with dirty fingers, but the guests should please wash their hands and show a health certificate before entering the restaurant.

  22. Sargeant Avatar
    Sargeant

    Wuh happen to that business group that was very vocal and up in arms at the policies of Freundel &Co? Cat got dey tongue? Do they now think that silence is golden? Are people afraid to be candid? Did the hoteliers believe that tourism numbers would remain steady or increase? Do they think that the Gov’ts laissez faire approach to the virus would work? Do they think that the PM’s statement that “this is not who we are” is problematic? Do they think that the Min of Labour’s threat to prosecute them if they enforced their own vaccine mandates is wise? Do they think that visitors who intended to come to Barbados can’t read the US Gov’ts warning to its citizens to avoid Barbados?

    Lots more questions and wunnah know the answers.

  23. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    Addendum

    However, we should not blame our government for the mess despite the bad situation in the tourism industry. The August riots in Bridgetown organised by the Muslim Brotherhood are responsible for the outbreak of the Delta variant. It is also clear that our government will have to fear terrorist attacks on government institutions and vaccination centres if it introduces compulsory vaccination. From this point of view, our government is behaving strategically and tactically very wisely.

    However, the recent death toll among the unvaccinated raises the hope that soon all the unvaccinated will either be naturally immunised or that these people will then be collateral damage. With the current case numbers, this should not take another six months. Then the problem of compulsory vaccination will have resolved itself through nature.

    For the rest, I advise our government to test less or only to count severe cases. The high number of cases scares off our tourists and does nothing for immunisation.

  24. Vincent Codrington Avatar
    Vincent Codrington

    Please note that the percentage of population fully vaccinated is over 40 % of total population. A metric that is higher than several More Developed Countries. Please also note this level has been achieved without mandatory vaccination.
    How does vaccinated tourists and vaccinated hotel workers guarantee immunity from infection?
    Culture is an important input into strategy. Without this variable all social strategies will fail. I think this administration recognises this and factors it into their strategic decisions.It is too transitory for some to recognize especially those with political blinkers.

  25. Pachamama Avatar
    Pachamama

    David

    This writer has always had time for Adrian Green, a true artist!

    From maybe more than thirty years ago we can well recall his public performances of poetry.

    As writer, he must be located within the greatest the region has produced. For he’s located amongst the Callenders, the Clarkes, the Manleys, the Jameses and the great Martin Carter

    We know Adrian Green well. We’ve seen the social rejection, his trials and tribulations. His development arc is not unlike any other true artist.

    However, we would want to disagree on a singular point. His supposition that the appearance of a national “growenupsy” is totally local in origins.

    That the national transition is not at least partially informed by external forces. As scientist these measurements make the world of differences.

    Other than these, we would be hard pressed to find a writer anywhere better at doing what real artists must. Going to spirit to give expression.

  26. David Avatar
    David

    @Pacha

    He is talented. Do not always agree with him but valuing the difference in people is i’necessary if as a people we are to grow.

  27. David Avatar
    David

    @Vincent

    How does your comment agree with the central argument that our key source markets for tourists are deeply covid 19 penetrated and day to day protocols are in advance of ours?

  28. Sargeant Avatar
    Sargeant

    Life doesn’t come with a guarantee, non-smokers get lung cancer, however if one doesn’t smoke their chances of getting lung cancer are decreased significantly. Vaccinated hotel workers are not risk free but given the odds a visitor will opt to be attended by a vaccinated employee over those who are not vaccinated.

  29. David Avatar
    David

    @Vincent

    Uk is pushing to 90%, Canada is pushing to 80% and the US pushing to 70%.

  30. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    https://covid19tracker.ca/vaccinationtracker.html

  31. John A Avatar
    John A

    Let me remind you the people catching tail are not just the hoteliers but all those smaller people too we don’t see as being part of the industry.

    These include the hair braiders, jet ski operators, beach vendors, taxi drivers, glass bottom boat guys and the list goes on and on. When we say tourist sector many only see hotels, but they are so many other sectors that feed off those hotels you can’t imagine and they are not ” minority or foreign owned” but bajans like you and me.

  32. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    Say it louder for the despicably dependent tourism pimps…..who can see nothing else and don’t have the mind of a creative…to bring forth better..

    “I for one would be happy to see the total collapse of this industry. Out of the ashes we will see the regrowth of an industry that serves and enhances the country’s ecology and the development of a local economy which brings prosperity to all not just to a few.”

  33. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ John A
    Don’t you agree that the major problem is that we can’t seem to walk and chew gum at the same time?
    You and others realised that the opportunity to commence the restructuring of the economy had ironically presented itself because of our COVID challenges; nevertheless we continued on the same path.
    There are some very serious jokers, who rather than concentrate on the mammoth task ahead thought that we could just continue merrily along on the tourism bus. It’s not too late to change course but apparently, the powers that be, know something that we don’t.
    @ Pacha
    I find your elevation of Greene quite interesting. I agree he is indeed one of the better writers we have at present.
    @ David
    You’re correct about cultural influences being ignored when looking at societal change. One of the major reasons we can’t meet challenges, is the simple fact that the country has now been under dangerous cultural penetration for the better part of the last six decades. This is one of the reasons that Adrian Greene’s columns are so profound. He tends to pay attention to cultural damage.

  34. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    IF this is the case in Barbados, they really got serous problems on their hands….and ignorance will cause massive deaths…

    https://scontent.fbgi3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/246148873_270839991466440_7944701256046171226_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=ae9488&_nc_ohc=jwjYN1hmvX0AX_OtNZy&_nc_ht=scontent.fbgi3-1.fna&oh=d285d17e796ef4a28e7fc55bdd218e03&oe=61908492

  35. David Avatar
    David

    @John A

    It is why mention is always made to how tourism contributes both direct and indirect. It will take tremendous resolve to diversify the economy given the disruption it will cause to start. There has to be reallocation of resources in the national budget and therein lies part of the problem.

  36. watchman Avatar
    watchman

    When the poor Black working class Barbadians are in the park waiting for a daily meal will they be still wearing their political blinkers they received from a RED BAG.

  37. John A Avatar
    John A

    @ William

    Yes I agree with you for sure and for many reasons. I also feel we should of had an economy diversification plan in place by now that should of started 2 years ago. This way we could of planned for the post covid tourism reality and picked up the fx shortfall with hi tech green house agriculture and alternative energy.

    Instead we did nothing to diversify the economy and we now have a weak tourism sector facing a virus which he seem to be unable to take charge of, coupled to Emera asking for a rate increase. Could there by a worst economic storm brewing than this? I sincerely hope not.

  38. Pachamama Avatar
    Pachamama

    William Skinner

    Well, it’s our judgement.
    Explain? Why”interesting”. We certainly don’t see it as an elevation. His body of work over decades earns his this, we think.

  39. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    reports ae coming in from various jurisdicons…

    https://scontent.fbgi3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/245021775_598589011484998_6489863975193206368_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=ae9488&_nc_ohc=5E-laR92kgwAX-l8bp_&_nc_ht=scontent.fbgi3-1.fna&oh=e505f1f20838e10ae83eabdb7e324a21&oe=6192A569

  40. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    @8:02
    “they want to know the local environment is mirroring where they come from to realize peace of mind”

    Your contribution was quite sound. However, most tourists will hold the local environment to a much higher standard than where they come from.

    Vaccinated versus not vaccinated may be a discussion for the locals. For most tourists vaccination of the locals is how things should be.

    A friend’s girlfriend return from Barbados and attended a family function. Her sister and brother came down with Covid and you can guess who was the #1 suspect. Her angry family insisted that she be tested,and fortunately for her, she was negative.

    Why do I tell you this. The models being used are too simplistic. The story does not end when the plane leaves GIA. Tourists also have to worry about the opinion of those at home.

  41. GP Avatar
    GP

    RE Uk is pushing to 90%, Canada is pushing to 80% and the US pushing to 70%.
    AND THE INCIDENCE CONTINUES TO RISE IN ALL THESE PLACES
    SOMETHING IS WRONG

  42. John A Avatar
    John A

    @ Theo

    We also have to prepare for the fact that as of October 4th all tourist leaving the UK once fully vaccinated will not require testing on departure. We already know the vaccinated can spread covid so that may well increase our covid load this end as a result.

  43. David Avatar
    David

    We are tourism dependent this means we needed to be ahead of what is required to receive tourists from key markets. Instead we are lagging which has led to a gap in expectations from visitor reflected in today’s Sunday Sun report. The blogmaster is open to sensible realistic suggestions for next steps.

  44. David Avatar
    David

    Which means in the red list we remain. Around and around we go.

  45. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ Pacha
    One occasionally uses the term “ interesting” without any intention to deeply analyze anything. Elevation here can easily be termed ,as some would ,say : “ big up”. Again, nothing really there. As I said Greene is one of our better writers. He more than deserves such positive comments.
    Take it easy bro’

  46. Vincent Codrington Avatar
    Vincent Codrington

    @ David BU at 10:12 and !0 :28 PM
    I am not sure the metrics of herd immunity of 90% and 70 % have arrested the contagion rates in the MDCs you have mentioned. The science seems to indicate that vaccines encourage the mutation rate of the virus.
    Are the rates of contagion and deaths per thousand of population better than Barbados? As GP has suggested ,a diversion of resources to cures and effective protocols would seem to be more beneficial..
    I do not subscribe to Hobson’s choice scare tactics. Barbadians priority is to wrestle CoVID to the ground. I do not believe in trading one bajan death in order to maintain an industry already on its death bed.

  47. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    I visited a sister Caribbean island a few months ago. Requirements to be met prior to boarding the plane
    (1) proof of full vaccination
    (2) evidence of a negative test 72 hours before departure.
    (3) an approval email from the island authorities…

    But it would be tough for the GoB to adopt this policy if local folks are not vaccinated.

  48. David Avatar
    David

    @Vincent

    There is more, stress on health services? The peace of mind of the visitor on who we depend? The unknowns about the virus and the avenue for being a space to facilitate mutations etc. The end result – peace of mind of the incoming. Seems to be a number of variables to juggle.

  49. Watchman Avatar
    Watchman

    Barbadian recognize they were hoodwink in 2018 the resistance has started. The Red bag was skin-out, its empty. The gift of the gab is spent. The Payne have started

  50. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    It is all well and good to demand the diversification of the economy. But that will never work. Our local market is too small, our exchange rate is far too high, we are weak in terms of capital, we are under permanent threat from the DLP, cockroaches, hurricanes and volcanic ash.

    With elections around 18 months away, it seems to me much more important to name the right scapegoats and plant them in the minds of the black masses. So I am thinking first of all of our local terrorist group around this Muslim brother and anti-vaccinationist, secondly of the outspoken senator and thirdly of the opposition in general. They all undermine the vaccination campaign of our government. We just have to tell the people over and over again until they not only believe it, but can recite it by heart.

    I can assure you all, I will go to the extreme to bring about the final victory of our Supreme Leader.

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