Media Writer
Members of the Saint Elizabeth Health Department (SEHD) pose for a picture prior to conducting their COVID-19 Protocol Blitz Assessment for business operators in the major towns in the parish on Tuesday, November 10. The exercise was used as a means of ensuring business operators were in strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols going into the usually busy Christmas season.
The blitz assessment helped members of the SEHD determine the level of compliance with COVID-19 protocols in the parish, to provide further COVID-19 protocol education for business owners, to identify towns in the parish which may need special intervention, and to conduct revisits and follow-up on non-compliant establishments.
Pictured above is Parish Manager for the St. Elizabeth Health Services, Sean Brissett (left), along with fellow members of the SEHD taking notes while conducting the COVID-19 Protocol Blitz Assessment.
Mr Brissett said the blitz gave the department an idea of happenings in the parish relating to COVID-19, and showed the department that businesses needed constant reminders to adhere to protocols. The Parish Manger stressed the importance for business establishments to follow protocols consistently in order to have a positive effect on the COVID-19 numbers, while also urging community members to play their part in limiting the spread of the virus.
Some of the parameters assessed included whether businesses had mandatory hand washing/hand sanitization available at the entrance of the building, whether mask wearing for workers and customers was mandatory, if adequate signs or posters were in place indicating COVID-19 protocols, the businesses ability to undertake mandatory temperature checks and whether entities were overcrowded with staff and customers.
Of the 8 towns visited in the parish, Junction and Maggoty showed the highest level of compliance with 74 percent, while Treasure Beach showed the lowest level with 38 percent. Santa Cruz had a compliance percentage of 50 with 225 of the 448 locations visited obeying protocols; South Field had number of 68, Balaclava 51, New Market 60 and Black River 55. The overall compliance level in the parish is 56 percent.
