By Chantale Fletcher
SINCE Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s declaration on Tuesday night that he saw no reason why Trinidad and Tobago should not fully reopen all its sectors, businessmen want clarity.
AZP News spoke to two members of the Business Community on Wednesday who shared their views on the announcement.
President of the Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CCIC), Richie Sookhai described the announcement as excellent news and well accepted in the business community.
Sookhai said, “When he said full reopening though, we will need the details behind it in terms of what he means, such as:
- Entry and exit of the country;
- What protocols are going to be changed;
- Whether the Covid tests will move from a PCR to an antigen test; an
- Whether all business sectors would be firing at 100 % capacity to some level of a new normal.
He also hoped the public would be responsible to follow the required protocols given that the Covid-19 virus was still present.
Sookhai made reference to neighbouring islands as well as the rest of the world that have already begun to reopen.
He said, “So it’s time for Trinidad and Tobago to follow suit.”
Meanwhile, President of the Couva/Point Lisas Chamber of Commerce Mukesh Ramsingh described the full reopening of the economy as a positive way forward.
Though the initiative was welcomed, Ramsingh enquired what a full re-opening would look like, as he said the Prime Minister did not give details.
Ramsingh said, “Most of the fast-food outlets choose not to operate as Safe Zones and they operate take away service.
“So, I don’t know if full reopening means these food outlets would be reopened to the unvaccinated persons, including bars, restaurants and the other entertainment parts of the industry.”
He said this also meant more jobs would become available for the public.
Ramsingh said, “He had also made a call for the removal or restructuring of the TTPass to enter the country, so we don’t know if these things will be in place as travel was also part of the economy.”
He said the Chamber also hoped for 100% return of children in schools as well as the return of sports in schools.
Ramsingh said children have been clustered at home for far too long and needed to become active.
He also appealed to the public to continue to get vaccinated, their booster shots and follow all Covid-19 health protocols.
Ramsingh“As we don’t want to be in full reopening and end up in another form of restriction.”
