By Sue-Ann Wayow
BOOKSTORES and hardware stores re-opened on Monday but many were concerned that they were putting themselves at risk of contracting the Covid-19 virus.
While grateful for the opportunity to start back business after several weeks, some remained closed.
Owner of Charran’s Bookstore in Chaguanas Vishnu Charran is suggesting that with the gradual re-opening of some aspects of businesses, government should ensure that workers in those places become vaccinated as soon as possible.
Last Saturday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley announced that a shift system will be in place for hardware stores to operate. The Ministry of Health issued a release later that day with the operating times for hardware stores, bookstores and art supply stores as school children are entering the examination period.
Charran told AZPNews.com that business will be slow simply because not many people had the money to spend and they were really purchasing the bare essentials.
At his store on Chaguanas Main Road, Charran said the main item that was selling was stationery.
He said, “Customers have been coming to purchase whatever school supplies they need for the kids to do projects, some books, stationery, art supplies and so on. The comments we have been hearing from the public is that they are very happy we were allowed to open because it makes it so much easier. While they can shop online at our store here, not everybody is able to shop online. “
He said customers were trickling in and he is hoping that business will increase later on.
“Personally for me, I feel a little uneasy about the vaccine situation and we are being extremely cautious. We are not taking chances so we will definitely not allow any sort of crowd and everybody must follow all the protocols because this is a matter of life and death. Preserving life is more important than money at this stage,” Charran added.
He was not sure how long bookstores will be allowed to open for but he is hoping that the Ministry of Health would ensure that staff be protected by way of being vaccinated. He said he believes further discussion may be held with Minister of Trade and Industry Paula Gopee-Scoon for such processes.
“They (The Ministry) must ensure that they allow business to re-open, that their workers get vaccinated. Speaking to the staff this morning, they are very cautious and concerned about what is happening,” Charran said.
He added that now, the population was more receptive to the vaccine because in the initial stages, there was too much varying information being spread about vaccines and persons were sceptic.
And Ralph Bassaw, who owns a community hardware, CSR Enterprises at Main Road, Palmiste, Chaguanas, was pleased about being able to open back.
The shift system was a good idea he said because people did not have money to purchase items every day.
However, not all items purchased could be provided.
“Right now, things are really bad for hardwares because of the closure of the main factories. We do not have building blocks, steel and cement which are the main items that people are asking. I was now speaking with a supplier and he said TCL (Trinidad Cement Limited) will be rationing cement to hardwares because right now they are only exporting.”
He said the main items customers requested were items for plumbing.
The construction sector currently remains closed and Dr Rowley had indicated hardware stores will be allowed to open for persons who needed emergency supplies.
