Full speed ahead for PNP - General secretary tests positive for COVID-19 but party says work continues

The People’s National Party (PNP) still expects its campaign to continue full speed ahead into the September 3 general election even as one of its senior troops on the front line has been forced to retire from the grounds of the battle after contracting COVID-19.

General Secretary of the PNP, Julian Robinson, confirmed yesterday that he had contracted the virus and was in isolation.

He is expected to be in isolation for the next two weeks.

However, PNP campaign spokesperson Lisa Hanna told The Gleaner yesterday that the party’s work would proceed.

“While the general secretary Comrade Robinson is in isolation, the work still continues. Fortunately, he is continuing to steward the ship with his duties and certainly giving the instructions for the last stretch,” Hanna said, as she extended best wishes to Robinson.

The Gleaner understands that the Old Hope Road headquarters of the PNP underwent deep cleaning yesterday in the wake of the Robinson’s positive COVID-19 test result.

The Gleaner has also been informed that Robinson’s wife, who is the chief executive officer of First Global Bank, sent out an email message to staff yesterday advising them of the situation involving her husband.

Gleaner sources close to the PNP campaign said at least one other prominent PNP official was being tested for COVID-19 and a result was expected soon.

With the party now in the final stretch of the campaign, Hanna told The Gleaner that the canvassers have been working hard even as the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the political ground game.

She said the candidates have been on the ground and the voter guides were being distributed to constituents.