Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda accepts target of achieving 70% vaccination rate by June 30

Antigua and Barbuda: The government of Antigua and Barbuda has given the latest update on the viral infection of the COVID-19 pandemic. The update has been given by the Cabinet of the country, which stated that the pandemic is diminishing in the nation. 

Further, Cabinet held a discussion about Covid-19 and its diminishing impact on the Antigua and Barbuda nation.

It gives a new update on the pandemic and states: 

• All persons entering into healthcare facilities will be required to continue wearing masks.
• Moreover, the medical staff such as Doctors’ offices, hospitals, private and public clinics, homes for the elderly, and other healthcare facilities will still be mandated to wear masks and to practice the other protocols that remain in effect.
• The Cabinet was responding to a request by the Medical Association to retain the tried and tested method of reducing infections.

Further, Cabinet also provided information on the vaccination coverage in Antigua and Barbuda and stated: 

• The Cabinet asserted that the vaccination rate in Antigua and Barbuda now stood at 62 percent, and the government is making efforts to achieve it 70 percent soon.
• The Cabinet has also approved that the target can be achieved by June 30—the date which The World Health Organization (WHO) has selected to provide states with special incentives if they meet that vaccination target.

Further, the Director of Education of Antigua and Barbuda also provided the information on the reopening of the schools and stated: 

• The Director of Education was invited to Cabinet to report on the opening of Schools on Monday past.
• He reported that all Preschools, Primary and Secondary Schools returned to face-to-face learning on Monday.
• Only one Secondary School, the Sir Novelle Richards Academy, has not had full return of students because of overcrowding.
• The Cabinet agreed to the temporary use of the auditorium and other unused spaces to be turned into temporary classrooms.
• In the meantime, a build-out of one block of eight classrooms will begin almost immediately, utilizing resources that have been donated by a philanthropist.

The Cabinet congratulated the Director for his leadership during the Covid-19 crisis and indicated that it would support the nomination of teachers for National Honours during the 2022 Independence celebrations.