Antigua and Barbuda to extend State of Emergency in country

The government of Antigua and Barbuda had successfully passed the motion through which they would extend the State of Emergency. This time the opposition also told that the citizens of the country had also been facing hardships as the government should look for ways to control the spread of the Coronavirus.

The last date of effect was June 28th for SOE, but now the date has been extended to September 30th. The government said that the timing for the curfew would remain the same from 11:00 pm to 5:00 am

Prime Minister Gaston Browne, defending the decision to extend the SOE, told legislators that it does not prescribe any specific restriction, neither does the Public Health Act.

PM Gaston Browne said that so if their issue had with the restrictions, then make their case, but to say that They might be using the Public Health Act instead of a rhea state of emergency to justify the restriction, he meant that has half a dozen, practically the same thing.

Opposition Leader Jamal Pringle also questioned the government on how long would the government going to keep them under a state of emergency. He heard them talking about political activity. That was not about political action. Do the government knows how many persons have been stressed during those times.

Pringle asked Mr Speaker that they could not continue with a state of emergency when the government could use other means of managing the ongoing COVID-19.

Pringle said that the Public Health Act made provisions for the country to implement certain measures under a public health crisis. The question he had to ask was why 90 days state of emergency.

He said, noting that the island has no current case of the pandemic.
And all know why that had done that, Mr Speaker, because clearly under a state of emergency, the government had the right, put it that way, certain constitutional freedom that he could enjoy could be infringed upon. It was clear, and that was clearly what the government, in his view Mr Speaker had in their back pocket because they had not explored any other options.

Walker said that he was not saying him that he should relax all the measures, he was not saying he should be careless and just act as if he was not responsible, but Mr Speaker should gradually show the people that at the end of the day, he moves the country in the direction where things start to become palatable for them again.