Shoppers trying to beat the rush

Lines were forming outside two major supermarkets in Christ Church on Wednesday morning as shoppers tried to get ahead of the new restrictions set to go into effect in February.

At Massy Oistins, the line was just outside the entrance to the former CIBC FirstCaribbean bank when the Nation team visited. They were social distancing and people appeared to be wearing masks.

A line was also forming outside Popular Kendal Hill where people were standing in the rain waiting their turn to shop. Unlike former runs on that supermarket when the line stretched down the hill, shoppers are queuing at the side of the building, so it does not appear as congested as in the past.

On Tuesday night, Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced Barbados would take a ‘national pause’ from February 3 to 17 to allow healthcare workers time to fight the spread of the COVID-19 virus, which is now in the stage of community spread.

During that time, supermarkets will open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., but will be closed on weekends. Mottley told Barbadians not to panic and said there was ample food on the island.

The current curfew of 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. will be extended to run from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. during the 15-day period of restrictions.

READ – KEY POINTS: Barbados under more restrictions in February