CARIBBEAN ROUNDUP
Barbados
Barbados public health nurses have
declared their readiness to undertake
the largest mass vaccination program
in the island’s history, to fight the
spread of the highly contagious COVID-
19 virus.
Last week Barbados was expected to
receive 100,000 doses of the Oxford-
AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
Public health nurse and senior
health sister at Winston
Scott Polyclinic,
Rosette Cooke, told a
news conference last
week that preparations
ahead of the roll-out of
the vaccination recommended recently
to examine all eventualities, including
allergic reactions in some patients after
receiving the vaccine.
Cooke, who is in charge of the vaccination
program, said after the vaccine
is administered individuals will be
monitored for 15 minutes before being
discharged.
Co-coordinator of the National
COVID-19 Vaccine Campaign, Dr. Elizabeth
Ferdinand said the vaccine would
be given to 50,000 people, as it is
administered in two doses.
She also stressed the importance of
people over the age of 65 years taking
the vaccine. She said they needed to be
targeted as it had shown the majority
of people who got the virus, with it progressing
to be serious, were the elderly
and those with chronic diseases.
Caribbean
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
is calling for a global summit in
the context of the World Health Organization’s
(WHO) ACT-Facilitation Council
to discuss equitable
access and distribution
of the COVID-19
vaccine.
A release from the
organization said, “As the world grapples
with the challenge of controlling
the COVID-19 pandemic, the Caribbean
Community (CARICOM) is deeply concerned
at the current prospect of inequitable
access to vaccines to address
the pandemic, especially for front line
workers, and vulnerable populations.
“The reality is that small states will
find it difficult to compete in the market
place to ensure equitable access for
vaccines. Given the transmissibility of
the virus, all countries are vulnerable
and should world together,” it said.
The release said the inextricable link
economically, socially, and by virtue of
travel with our neighbors and the wider
international community, it makes
it imperative for CARICOM Member
States to be afforded access to vaccines
as a matter of urgent priority.
Caribbean Life, F 4 ebruary 19-25, 2021
Updated daily at www.caribbeanlifenews.com
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness addresses the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Friday, Sept. 27, 2019,
at the United Nations headquarters. Recently the prime minister instituted a tighter curfew to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Associated Press/Frank Franklin II, fi le
Guyana
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances (Control Amendment) Bill
2021, which removed the penalty of
jail for anyone convicted of having 15
grams or less of cannabis, was recently
tabled in Parliament.
Under the legislation, the offence
would be punishable
by mandatory counseling
“for a period to
be determined by the
counselor.”
Currently, possession
of 15 grams or less attract a trafficking
charge with a prison sentence
between three to five years and a fine of
no less than Guy$300,000 (US$144).
The Bill makes having up to 15
grams of cannabis an offence of simple
possession. An amount over 15 grams,
but no more than 30 grams, will attract
community service,
This includes employment in a public
work under the Extra-Mural Work Act
for a maximum of six months.
The Bill also increases the quantity
of cannabis that would automatically
attract a trafficking charge from 15
grams to more than 30 grams.
It also removes the fine and prison
for smoking, inhaling, sniffing, or otherwise
using cannabis or being found in
a place used for that purpose or being
the owner, occupier, or concerned management
of any place used for preparation
of cannabis for that purpose.
The Bill also caters for those instances
where an offender may refuse to consent
or breach an order of mandatory
counseling or community service.
The amended Act would grant the
court discretion to order the offender
to pay a fine of Guy$250,000 (US$1,200)
where it sees fit.
Grenada
The new US Joe Biden administration
recently congratulated Grenada
on its 47th anniversary of political
independence from Great Britain,
saying it “appreciates” the Caribbean
island’s “ regional leadership and partnership
as we work
together greater security,
prosperity and
democracy.”
US Secretary of
State, Anthony J Bilken said in a statement,
this past year the US government
contributed more than US$6
million to construct emergency operations
centers in Grenada and Carriacou
“to boost their preparedness and
disaster response capabilities.”
“We have stood together to fight
COVID-19 as the United States donated
masks, gloves, hazmat suits and
other personnel protection equipment
to help keep the Grenadian people
safe,” he said.
“We also partnered with the Royal
Grenada Police Force Coast Guard to
upgrade its nearshore interceptor vessels
as part of our work together to
improve security for citizens of Grenada
and the region,” Blinken said.
“The United States values the
strong relationship between our two
countries and wishes the citizens of
Grenada a happy Independence Day,”
he added.
Jamaica
A tighter curfew took into effect
in Jamaica last week and will remain
in place until Feb. 24, as one of the
measures announced by Prime Minister,
Andrew Holness
to contain the spread
of the COVID-19.
Jamaica recorded
403 new COVID-
19 cases a week ago
pushing the total number of con-
Continued on Page 16
THE NEWS FROM BACK HOME
Jamaica imposes curfew
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