Businesses in Dominica have been given new opening hours, as the island continues to are to battle a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This, as the island’s epidemiologist reported that 80 cases have been recorded per day for the last six days, with active cases on Tuesday at 408.
The new hours fall under the Environmental Health Services COVID-19 SRO 26, which was approved and Gazetted on August 24 and came into effect today.
Under the order, businesses will be allowed to open from 6am to 6pm on weekdays, and from 6am to 1pm on Saturdays.
On Sunday, however, all businesses will remain closed.
The announcement was made by Minister for National Security Rayburn Blackmoore, who said all businesses will be allowed to open in accordance with protocols established and published by the Chief Medical Officer, with the exception of the following:
- Restaurants will open for takeout and delivery only.
- Barbershops, spas, and hair salons will be open in accordance with the protocols established by the Chief Medical Officer (These protocols have been published and circulated and the Ministry of Health says it will work closely with these businesses to ensure compliance to protocols).
- Hot water spas will open under the protocols of the Safe in Nature Programme of the Ministry of Tourism.
The Minister added that all nightclubs, bars, gaming establishments and gyms will remain closed at this time.
Blackmoore assured citizens that these measures, along with other measures outlined in the SRO, are geared at minimizing the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
He urged the public to continue adhering to health protocols put in place to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
