We would like to remind residents and visitors that hurricane season officially starts June 1st, 2025, and runs through to November 30th, 2025. While the likelihood of a hurricane directly impacting Barbados is low, it always remains a possibility each year.

In 2021, Barbados was directly hit by a category 1 tropical cyclone, known as Hurricane Elsa. A few weeks before, an unexpected storm caused damage to dozens of homes across Barbados.

Please make sure you are prepared for the hurricane season. Familiarise yourself with the Emergency Shelters List for 2025, published by the Department of Emergency Management.

Make sure you have adequate supplies, including non-perishable foodstuffs and potable water that will last you and your family for a minimum of two (2) weeks. See page 29 of the shelters list for a detailed list of supplies you should have as part of your Disaster Emergency Kit.

In addition to hurricane preparedness, you should also be mindful that Barbados lies within an area of relatively high earthquake activity and therefore can be impacted by tsunamis at any time during the year. Always obey the 'natural signs', that is to say:

The Minister responsible for Energy and Business, under the powers conferred on her by Section 3 of the Miscellaneous Controls Act, Cap. 329, has increased the retail price of gasoline (petrol) to BBD $3.95 per litre, and the retail price of diesel to BBD $3.40 per litre.

These price adjustments are effective from Friday, May 23, 2025.

See historical gas prices in Barbados.

On March 10, 2025, the Minister in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, the Hon. Ryan Straughn M.P., announced a BBD $300 Solidarity Allowance which applies to any resident who is 18 years of age or older, and:

• is a contributory or non-contributory pensioner; or
• has made National Insurance contributions within the last 12 months; or
• is claiming the invalidity benefit, the special needs grant or welfare benefits

The Solidarity Allowance will be disbursed to eligible residents starting on May 14, 2025, as follows:

Employees of central government

For persons who are employed by central government, the Solidarity Allowance will be disbursed by the Treasury Department to the same bank account where they receive their salary.

Employees of a state-owned enterprise

For persons who are employed by a state-owned enterprise, the Solidarity Allowance will be disbursed by the state-owned enterprise using the payroll system already in place.

Employees of private sector companies

For persons who are employed by a private sector company, the Solidarity Allowance will be disbursed by the Barbados Revenue Authority if they are registered with the Barbados Revenue Authority with banking information.

If the Barbados Revenue Authority does not have bank details for a person to whom the Solidarity Allowance is owed, the payment will be sent by cheque.

Self-employed persons, pensioners, and all others who are eligible

For persons who are self-employed, in retirement, or otherwise fall into the eligiblity criteria, the Solidarity Allowance will be disbursed by the National Insurance and Social Security Service. This also applies to employees of private sector companies who are not registered with the Barbados Revenue Authority, or where they are registered with the Barbados Revenue Authority but without banking information.

If the National Insurance and Social Security Service does not have bank details for a person to whom the Solidarity Allowance is owed, the payment will be sent by cheque.

Please be advised there is an upcoming bank holiday, during which many businesses will be closed:

Labour Day on Thursday, May 1st, 2025.

The Minister of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector, under the powers conferred on him by Section 6(1) of the Minimum Wage Act, 2017 proposes to increase the National Minimum Wage from June 1st, 2025 as follows:

Security guards: BBD $11.43 per hour

All other workers: BBD $10.50 per hour

The minimum overtime rate of pay shall be 150% of the National Minimum Wage that applies.

The minimum rate of pay on a Public Holiday shall be 200% of the National Minimum Wage that applies.

For more information, please review the draft regulations.

Please be advised there are two upcoming bank holidays, during which many businesses will be closed:

Good Friday on Friday, April 18th, 2025.

Easter Monday on Monday, April 21st, 2025.

For the upcoming kite flying season, persons are reminded that kites cannot be flown in any area within 5 kilometres (3.11 miles) from the perimeter of the Grantley Adams International Airport. This restriction is necessary for the safety and protection of aircraft taking off and landing.

Any person found guilty of flying a kite within the no fly zone are liable to a fine of up to BBD $100,000 and/or two years imprisonment.

Persons who earn income in excess of the Personal Allowance are reminded that the deadline for submitting their Income Tax return for Income Year 2024 is April 30, 2025.

Income tax returns can be filed online via the TAMIS online portal. Persons who submitted their income tax return before April 1st, 2025 for Income Year 2024 are advised to check the portal, as they may be required to re-submit their income tax return due to the changes announced in the Budgetary Proposals and Financial Statement of March 10, 2025.

Residents and visitors in Warrens are advised that B & R Infrastructure Ltd. will be conducting roadworks on Highway 2A (Ronald Mapp Highway) from D'Arcy Scott Roundabout to Welches Roundabout starting Thursday, March 27th, 2025 for approximately three weeks.

Roadworks will take place each day between the hours of 8:30 PM and 6:00 AM. During this time, access to this section of Highway 2A will be restricted to local and emergency vehicles only. Persons should expect noise and dust in the surrounding area.

Motorists on Errol Barrow Highway heading north towards Highway 2A will be diverted at D’Arcy Scott Roundabout onto the Gordon Cummins Highway (see map), turning right at the traffic lights onto Cave Hill Road (see map) to re-join Highway 2A via Prior Park Road. After turning right onto Prior Park Road (see map), go straight on (2nd exit) at the roundabout (see map), and then merge onto Highway 2A (North).

Motorists travelling east along Clermont Road towards Highway 2A should detour west, turning right at the traffic lights onto Holders Hill (see map) and then turning right onto Prior Park Road (see map).

Motorists heading south on Highway 2A will be diverted at Welches Roundabout onto Padmore Village Road (see map), going straight on (2nd exit) at the roundabout (see map), then turning left at the stop sign onto Aruthor Seat Road (see map), and continuing around the bend to merge onto Melrose Road (see map), then turning right onto Highway D (see map), and at the end of Highway D, turning right onto Highway 2 (see map). At the BRC Roundabout, turn right to stay on Highway 2 (see map), and at the Jackson Roundabout, go straight on (2nd exit) to stay on Highway 2 (see map). Then, at the Everton Weekes Roundabout, turn left to continue travelling south via Errow Barrow Highway (see map), or straight ahead (2nd exit) to continue travelling south on Highway 2 towards Bridgetown (see map).

The Ministry of Transport and Works, and B & R Infrastructure Ltd,, apologies to members of the public for any inconvenience caused during the roadworks.

Residents and visitors in Cane Garden are advised that C.O. Williams Construction Ltd. will be conducting roadworks at Sunflower Drive starting Friday, March 28th, 2025 for approximately two weeks.

Roadworks will take place each day between the hours of 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM. Persons should expect noise and dust in the surrounding area.

Access will be limited to local and emergency vehicles only. Other motorists are requested to use alternate routes.

The Ministry of Transport and Works, and C.O. Williams Construction Ltd, apologies to members of the public for any inconvenience caused during the roadworks.