Statement by Hon. Rayburn Blackmoore Minister For National Security

With effect from Tuesday, August 24, 2021 business and establishments will reopen in accordance with protocols established and published by the Chief Medical Officer.

Every business or establishment shall be subject to the physical distancing requirements in Section 10 of the Environmental Health Services (COVID-19) Regulations:

• Ensure that customers and staff maintain physical distancing of no less than six feet in or outside of their business
• Determine the number of people to be inside by permitting one person for every thirty square feet of store space
• Place distance markers in and outside of the business
• Provide all cashiers with masks and
• Exercise proper hygienic practices

All establishments which were allowed to open under the Emergency Curfew Order will continue to operate, and all other retail and service establishments will reopen with the following exceptions:

• Restaurants will remain open for take out and delivery only
• Barbershops, Hairdressers and Spas to be opened on a phased basis under strict protocols from the Ministry of Health. Protocols to be published. Please note that approval must be granted by the Environmental Health Department prior to opening.
• Hot water spas and other tourism establishments will operate under the same protocols of the Safe in Nature Programme of the Ministry of Tourism.
• Bars and Nightclubs will remain closed
• Gyms will remain closed

Although we are no longer under a Curfew, the Police will work closely with the Ministry of Health to ensure that the measures under the Environmental Health Services are strictly enforced.

These measures present as cautious a balance as possible at this time between maintaining livelihoods, resuming a measure of economic activity

and ensuring the safety of all our citizens. We must however, continue to follow the protocols and follow the advise of the health professionals.

Let us continue to be our brother’s keeper and do all in our power to make Dominica a safe a prosperous nation for all.

Thank You.