Chamber Calls For 9pm To 5am Curfew

By Prior Beharry

THE Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce is calling for a curfew between 9pm and 5am on weekdays to help curb the spread of Covid-19.

This call is among other efforts private companies are implementing to stop the spread of the coronavirus which has caused 265 deaths in T&T so far.

The Supermarket Association of T&T put in place 13 measures for its members including the suspension of advertising and promotions.

Republic Bank Limited also limited some of its services come Monday.

Bhawangsingh and Dansteel hardware outlets will be closing from May 15 to May 23.

The Hosein Group of Companies, Allied Home Center, Eastern Credit Union and other businesses have also temporarily closed its doors.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley declared May 23 a national day of prayer. On this day the latest lockdown measures will expire.

The T&T Chamber held an emergency board meeting based on the escalation in cases and pressure on the healthcare system.

Feedback from its members noted that factors contributing to the exponential increase in numbers were due, in part to:

• Points of contact where many people are asymptomatic;
• Lack of adherence to protocols by members of the public; and
• Increased rate of spread perhaps due to new variant.

The chamber stated that while businesses were compliant with Covid-19 protocols, they have called for stricter enforcement of guidelines.

It stated, “The greatest concern is social engagement and unnecessary movement of individuals.”

The chamber made the following recommendations:

• Extend the lockdown for another week to evaluate the impact of the actions taken;
• Implement a limited curfew from 9pm to 5am on weekdays, and 5pm to 5am on weekends to reduce casual movement of individuals. Only people who work in industrial operations, which need to operate on a shift basis, should be allowed movement during the curfew period with a letter from their employer. Inter-island transport will have to be considered and allowances made;
• Further reduce crowd density in all essential businesses, as well as ensure proper crowd control at the entrances to these businesses;
• Review the businesses that are considered essential and open only those that are absolutely necessary for the needs of the citizens, (e.g. essential repairs);
• Where possible the utilisation of curbside and delivery service options to reduce the interaction and movement of individuals;
• Additional efforts by business to facilitate work from home;
• As additional vaccines are received the priority should include persons who are working in the essential businesses to keep them safe.