5 Continued from previous page Public access to many government services has been reduced Working from home for at least pa of the time is now the norm for many people Schools resorted to teaching and learning by distance for extended periods Live sporting and entertainment events such as carnivals have bee decimated New standards of proximity and personal closeness in all business and social interactions have to be maintained Workplace layouts now cater for a minimal distance between workers Air and sea travel are a small fraction of pre-pandemic levels Seating arrangements for public transport remain under constant monitoring Hours of work have been adjusted and the wearing of masks or other facial coverings for extended periods of time, remain as a protocol Work and public dining arrangements remain rigidly controlled Social interaction among relatives and friends has often been prohibited for extended periods POLICIES AND STRATEGIES The list of issues shown above is continuing to create a “new normal” for human interaction throughout the world. We first shared some adaptation suggestions in the 2020 edition. The 2021 hurricane season coincides with efforts in member states to “re-open the economy and society”. This means that the challenge to maintain physical and social distance will be greater than it was during “Lockdown”. There could be unprecedented management challenges in relation to hurricane preparedness among the CARICAD member states that are threatened each year by tropical storms and hurricanes. The implications for shelter management in the St. Vincent and the Grenadines evacuation is a singular and specific COVID-19-related challenge for that country at this time. CARICAD recommends the following strategic and operational approaches for member states during the 2021 hurricane season in the context of COVID-19: Thoroughly assess the strengths and weaknesses of all organisational structure arrangements for the hurricane season especially strategy-level planning documents, organisational structures, (National Emergency Councils and Operations Centres) staffing/personnel, supplies, equipment and other resources. Take urgent action to deal Continues on next page
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