PM Rowley: SoE Extension Necessary At This Time

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley says the Government has to ensure the population suppresses the rate at which persons are infected by COVID-19. As he moved a Motion on matters pertaining to the State of Public Emergency in the House of Representatives on Monday to extend the State of Emergency to three months, Dr. Rowley said if the infection rate isn't suppressed, it will undermine the Vaccine Programme and will result in significant hurt to families and the economy. Dr. Rowley said the Government supports the statement by the President under Section 9(1) of the Constitution, setting out the specific grounds on which the decision to declare the existence of a State of Public Emergency was based. Dr. Rowley noted that if statistics change, there may not be a need to have the SoE for the full three month period. Government would need a Simple Majority to pass the Motion to extend the SoE.