RELAXATION OF RULES FOR BARS, RESTAURANTS, BEACHES, CHURCHES AND GYMS WILL BE CONSIDERED

Bars may re-open next week, while restaurants may be allowed to serve patrons for a longer period during the day. These are considerations the Cabinet will address next Wednesday, April 14, at its weekly sitting.
 
Information Minister Melford Nicholas says the daily COVID-19 infections have been on a decline in recent weeks, which is a good sign.
 
Further, based on how the Police handled the enforcement of COVID Regulations over the Easter weekend, there is some capacity for bars to be effectively monitored, Nicholas says.
 
However, once the relaxation of the Regulations has been agreed to, they will be strictly enforced and reinforced by fines for persons who disregard the rules, the Minister says.
 
Meanwhile, consideration will also be given to beaches remaining open for the next two holiday periods in May and June.
 
Nicholas adds that the Cabinet will also consider whether churches should be allowed to accommodate more than the current 25-person limit and if gyms should be re-opened.
 
The Minister says that Government is hoping to achieve some level of normalcy, gradually, supported by science through information from Health officials.