Leader of the Opposition Dr Godwin Friday says that while he is not for compulsory vaccination, there would be no tourism sector without widespread immunization.
Friday said that he is committed to helping the island’s tourism sector bounce back as he noted the setback caused by the COVID pandemic and the eruption of La Soufriere.
“All hands must be on deck, but the Ministry of tourism has the ultimate responsibility of setting the pace, of having that can-do attitude, by creating the opportunities for us to expand and to grow.”
Friday said he will always be available at the forefront to use whatever knowledge and wisdom passed on to him over the years, thus helping to make it happen.
“And the sooner, the better,” he said.
“We have all the challenges now, but the truth of the matter is without widespread vaccination, we will not recover our tourism sector.”
Dr Friday made comments on widespread vaccination at the Tourism Showcase held by final year students at the St Vincent Community College.
On Tuesday 27 July, Friday said the government had messed up the COVID -19 situation by speaking out of both sides of their mouth. On the one hand, as though it was nothing to fear and on the other side forcing citizens to be inoculated.
“Ralph and the ULP have talked all around this issue, and now they are at a point where they want to force people, and that would only create a worse situation and a backlash.”
In response to Dr Friday’s statement on Tuesday 27 July, Gonsalves said the Opposition leader is opportunistic on the issue.
“He says I’m saying to you take the vaccine; please take it, because I take it. And then all utterances are for all practical purposes anti-vax”, Gonsalves said.
An August 3rd report stated that 25,670 vaccines were administered on the island.
