Bartlett says bike taxis have hand in COVID spread

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said bike taxi operators in Westmoreland are partly to be blamed for the current spike in COVID-19 cases in the parish.

"We cannot solve the problem of reducing the spread if the mega spreaders are at large ... We see a bike taxi with three, four pillion riders, that's crazy! That has to change within the context of this pandemic," he said.

He signalled that the authorities may crack down on bike taxi operators as a way to slow the spread of the dangerous respiratory illness, which is on the rise in the parish. "It may come back some time after, but it's not appropriate now," Bartlett said about the mode of transportation.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced tighter curfew measures for Westmoreland. The nightly curfew would now start at 7 p.m. and end at 5 a.m. Gathering limits have been reduced from 15 persons to 10.

"Residents of Westmoreland should take this as a warning, as notification of tighter measures to come if we do not bring this current situation under control," Holness said on Tuesday.

Last week, Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton linked the rise in COVID cases to activities such as illegal gatherings, bike parties and wakes. However, Dr Morais Guy, the opposition spokesman on health, has questioned whether tourists could be driving up the numbers.

Hard to tell

Tufton said "It is hard to tell at this point", adding that the technocrats would examine closer and inform him.

"On the face of it, I wouldn't want to say that it is because of tourism. I think, more so, it has to do with how we operate within our space," Tufton said.

Bartlett, who was speaking at a Jamaica Hotel and Tourism Association, Negril Chapter, COVID-19 Ambassador Programme launch, said some cultural practices in Negril may be contributing to the spike in the infection rate.

"I know that the cultural practices in Negril may not be in alignment with the best COVID management protocols, but we have to change it," Bartlett said at the function held at the Sandy Heaven Resort along the Norman Manley Boulevard, in Negril on Wednesday.

"I came here this morning and I saw, but we have always known this, the mode of transportation in Negril, and we have to look at seriously," he said. Bartlett said that from his observation, he did not see either the riders or the pillions wearing masks, which clinicians say helps to reduce the spread for the virus.

However, bike taxi operators said they should not be blamed for contributing to the spread of COVID-19.

"Mi know all a di rider dem and so far, wi don't see or hear of none a wi have COVID," said one operator who gave his name as Ricky.

"Wi carry two an three passengers yes, but wi careful. Mr Bartlett fi know seh wi sanitise wi self to, and furthermore, him don't know a ting about transportation or health. Him only know how fi bring tourist come yah."