Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley's Media Conference On COVID-19: Saturday January 15th 2022

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley announced that the vaccination requirement for Government Workplaces has been extended to mid-February 2022. The Prime Minister also expressed satisfaction with the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs in seeking recommendations for vaccinations in the Public Service as he noted that significant proposals were received over the last few weeks. Prime Minister Rowley said it is his hope that more children will be able to go to school in February. He said an uptick in COVID-19 vaccinations in the adult population will make this possible. The Prime Minister announced that beach time will be extended to 2PM. New time: 5AM to 2PM. Rivers are set to reopen but with restrictions in place: - No large gatherings (no more than 10 persons). - No alcohol consumption. - No fires. - No music. - No parties. The Prime Minister said some elements of Carnival can happen this year, once health protocols are in place. However, he said the festivities will be “numerically smaller.“ The Carnival fraternity and Ministries involved will have further discussions. Prime Minister Rowley also announced the establishment of a team that will go into the hospital system to examine the conditions and care of COVID-19 patients. The team will provide a report at the end of the week which will be made public. The team comprises: 1. Professor Terrence Seemungal, Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, The UWI (Chair). 2. Professor Emerita, Phyllis Pitt-Miller, Consultant Anesthetist and ICU Specialist, and former Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, The UWI. 3. Dr. Anton Cumberbatch, Public Health Specialist and former Chief Medical Officer. 4. Dr. Vidya Dean, Consultant Anesthetist and ICU Specialist. 5. Professor Donald Simeon, Director of Caribbean Centre for Health Systems Research and Development and Professor of Research and Biostatistics, Dean's Office, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The UWI. The Prime Minister reiterated that it is not Government's intention to shut down the economy unless something "super damaging" comes up. He said we are now prepared to live with the virus.