Barbados to see changes in functioning of High Court

Barbados: The government of Barbados launches new guidelines for all concerning the Criminal Division’s works (High Court) on witnessing community spread.

With the Minister of Health’s announcement on January 23, 2021, that community spread of the COVID-19 virus now exists in Barbados, the public is advised of the following concerning the Criminal Division works (High Court).

All illegal matters set for January 27, 2021, will be listened to on February 3, 2021; issues set for January 28, 2021, will be apprehended on February 4, 2021; and matters set for January 29, 2021, will be apprehended on February 5, 2021.

All matters set for trial by jury will be postponed until further notice. All accused persons who are to attend court concerning these trials must attend court to be equipped with proposed new dates for these trials’ resumption.

Arrangements set for hearing on February 1, 2021, and beyond will continue as usual, and all arrested persons on bail must attend court duly observing all relevant Covid-19 protocols. Those persons on remand to HMP Dodds will appear via Zoom hearing.

All matters scheduled for sentencing hearings on February 1, 2021, and beyond will continue as usual, with the arrested persons on bail appearing in person and those on remand being facilitated by way of Zoom hearing.

Bail Applications will be set for hearing originating the week of February 8, 2021, and beyond. These will continue to be apprehended remotely via the prison link once this facility is available. 

Recent update on COVID-19

Barbados reported 26 new positive cases of COVID-19 on Monday, January 25, while 27 persons were redeemed from the viral illness.

The total number of active cases are now reported as 360 (a significant reduction, reflecting an additional number of releases recorded for January after an audit was done).

The 26 new cases were recognized from among the 330 tests conducted by the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory. They include 18 women and eight men. The public health laboratory has so far completed 100,129 tests.

Click here for more news