West Coast restaurants to implement vax-only policy

In another month, patrons who wish to dine at the popular West Coast restaurants, The Tides and QP Bistro must be fully vaccinated, management announced Friday.

Happy Group Restaurants, which manages the two establishments, served notice that it will implement a “safety zone policy requiring full vaccination against the COVID-19 virus with effect from February 16, 2022”.

The policy also requires staff to be fully vaccinated.

“No testing is being done and a negative test will not be accepted in lieu of vaccination. It’s a vaccination-only policy and persons who cannot provide evidence of valid vaccination status will not be allowed access,” it said.

Management explained the policy is being implemented to ensure that all patrons, staff, suppliers and visitors to its restaurants can enjoy the experience while benefitting from the highest possible level of safety.

Operations Director Jacqueline Sealy said: “We are happy to do everything in our power to protect our staff, customers and their families. We have had huge support from our staff to create safer restaurants.”

Sealy added that the restaurants continue to adhere to the full suite of COVID-19 safety protocols, in keeping with Government’s policy directives.

Several private sector companies have implemented safe zones requiring either vaccination or testing.

Local boutique hotel, the Sweetfield Manor and the PAVAO Barbados restaurant, both located in the Upper Garrison area of the Bridgetown UNESCO Historic Area; Senses Marche restaurant and Caribbean Smile Makers Dental Clinic, both located at Belleville, St Michael, are among them.

Last November, entrepreneur and president of the Barbados Dental Association Dr Vijay Armogan rolled out a private sector safe zone policy to protect staff and clients in his group of companies. All patrons must be fully vaccinated, have a COVID-19 PCR test 72 hours before visiting the establishment, or have a rapid test done at their own expense.

The website barbadossafezones.com has already been launched.

Back in November 2021, the Ministry of Health and Wellness launched the first phase of its safe zones initiative in the healthcare sector. However, challenges resulting from an apparent lack of consultation on the policy resulted in the initiative being put on hold pending further consultations with key stakeholders. (SD)