Covid-19 one year on: A retrospective glance
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The announcement of Antigua and Barbuda’s first case of the novel coronavirus struck an ominous tone.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s announcement on Friday March 13 2020, a day with its own superstitious undertones, sent shockwaves throughout the country, already struggling to understand the origins of the virus and its potential impact.
Recall the rush to the varying supermarkets and gas stations upon the announcement of initial restrictions and varying states of emergency.
At that time, the scientific community was still making new discoveries about the virus which was spreading rapidly across the globe.
Lower House passes cap on RRC waivers amidst Opposition’s disapproval
By Kadeem Joseph
The ruling administration is continuing its push to improve revenue collection with the passage of a Bill to limit waivers of the revenue recovery charge (RRC).
The Revenue Recovery Charge Amendment Bill 2021, which was presented in the Lower House of Parliament on Thursday by Prime Minister Gaston Browne, is expected to cap any exemption to the RRC at 50 percent.
The measure was announced in the Budget presentation earlier this year, however, Browne said the law will not affect pre-existing agreements.
“There are certain agreements including PLH [Peace, Love and Happiness project] and various projects even at the Mill Reef Club, for example, in which we would have agreed to waive the full amount of the revenue recovery charge for specific investments, and they have argued that they have already done their costings, they would have done fixed price contracts and if now they have to pay an
A&B could soon see nine-member juries
By Kadeem Joseph
Trials that require a panel of jurors may soon be able to occur with a reduced complement after an amendment to the Jury Act 2009 received the green light in Parliament yesterday.
Should the bill be made law, the number of jurors serving on a panel will be reduced from 12 to nine.
Attorney General Steadroy Benjamin, who tabled the legislation during the sitting of the Lower House, explained that the government must take measures to ensure the safety of workers “in a situation where they are, by necessity, working closely with others”.
By Kadeem Joseph kadeem.joseph@antiguaobserver.com As the world celebrates International Women’s Day today, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) is…
Pharmacist says jab is safe for asymptomatic people
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By Kadeem Joseph
Antiguans and Barbudans and other residents who are hoping to access the lifesaving AstraZeneca vaccine are being assured that a Covid-19 test is not necessary before being inoculated.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) had recommended that individuals wait until the course of the Covid-19 disease had passed before being vaccinated.
Some prospective vaccine recipients have expressed skepticism about taking the jab as they may be asymptomatic, however, Michael Joseph, the head of Antigua and Barbuda’s Pharmacy Council explained that taking the vaccine is safe for these individuals as well.