Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley has announced an ease of COVID-19 restrictions on some sectors, as government cautiously moves into the “new normal”.

Here are the restrictions which have been eased, to come into effect on Monday (October 26th)

-All places of worship are to be opened at 50% capacity- all services must not exceed an hour. Social distancing and 

– From Monday, public service to go back to 100% capacity (no more rotation)

-Educational institutions that cannot be facilitated online (eg flight aviation) can apply to the Minister of Health for an exemption to resume classes.

-Casinos, cinemas, theaters and member clubs can operate at 50% capacity. Eating and drinking is however not allowed to ensure the wearing of masks.

– Beaches and other coastal waters are opened. Rivers and ponds remain closed.

-Hotels can open pools to guests

-Gyms reopened  at 50% capacity between 6am to 10pm and by appointment.

The PM admitted that he was under “extreme pressure” to reopen the society and with “good reason”. He apologized to those who have been feeling the most severe impact of the restrictions, including bars and restaurants- who, while operational, cannot entertain in-house customers.

“I know the time is coming and some people are feeling that they are carrying much more of the burden than the others,” the PM said, adding however that those who operate businesses in the most at risk sectors will have to bear the burden to avoid a massive explosion of cases.

He warned that the threat of the virus is very much alive, noting that caution was still needed to provide a safety net against an explosion of cases.

“You require not just hospital beds, you require additional healthcare givers- highly skilled healthcare givers- which is not in excessive supply,” the Prime Minister said.