The COVID-19 virus has struck at the electricity rate hearing on Monday forcing all of the intervenors, the lead attorney for Barbados Light and Power Company (BLPC) Ramon Alleyne, KC, and some senior members of staff to go online for the session.They joined the proceedings via Zoom after the Fair Trading Commission (FTC), which is hearing the BLPC’s application for a basic rate increase, agreed to conduct the case using a hybrid format. The decision to go online came after several intervenors tested positive for the virus.Before taking evidence today, Dr Donley Carrington, who is chairing the hearing, issued a statement informing all parties that the commission had received information this morning which indicated that “certain persons had requested to be able to join this hearing in a virtual format”.“The commission,” Dr Carrington added, “has decided that today we will be having this meeting in a hybrid format so that persons who would feel more comfortable joining online are able to do so using the Zoom link that has been provided.”Without making any reference to the COVID-19 situation affecting some parties, he then read out the virtual hearing oral etiquette for those joining online. He also said that the same hybrid format will continue on Tuesday when the hearing resumes.
