Party promoters, barbers, hairstylists on radar in Manchester

Mandeville, Manchester:

In a bid to stave off an expected surge in COVID-19 cases in the next few weeks, Mandeville Mayor Donovan Mitchell says that enforcement teams will be stepping up operations to ensure greater adherence to protocols and orders.

Atop the list of targets are barbers and hairstylists, who accommodate a large number of clients, as well as party organisers.

At yesterday’s Manchester Municipal Corporation meeting, Mitchell said that no approval would be given for parties, and persons in breach would face charges.

“The municipal police will be asked to ramp up their inspection of properties where there are day raves, night raves, grave-digging, and other parties,” he said, adding that a justice of the peace will be travelling with each patrol team, to sign summonses.

Mitchell warned councillors and other persons across the parish not to host events, including treats, but to find other ways to support persons and deliver gifts to individual houses, if necessary.

Dr Nadine Williams, medical officer of health at the Manchester Health Department, warned that COVID-19 cases would spike if guidelines are disregarded.

“The spike has already started across several parishes in the country. It is important that we adhere to the protocols. Not because it is Christmas time means that we should be relaxing. COVID is not going away so easily,” she said.

With 1,103 persons in home quarantine and 22 active cases in the parish, Williams reported that two of those cases were as a result of party attendance.

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