The “COVID-19 outbreak is starting to take a bite out of the food service business.
Business has slowed significantly, and with schools now closed, tourists leaving the island, international flights grinding to almost a standstill in coming days, and more people opting to stay indoors, customers are expected to dwindle even further.
Many restaurants, food vendors, bars and hangout spots are taking no chances as they continue to put measures in place to help prevent the spread of the viral infection.
Giving an indication that she was preparing for the worst impact, Prime Minister Mia Mottley said at a press conference on Thursday: “We have to come to the reality that there will be a large number of Barbadians who will get the virus.
“But I want to say to you that [of] that large number, the overwhelming majority will only have mild symptoms.”
In addition to adequate supplies of hand sanitizers and soap in the restrooms, eateries have also been outlining various guidelines to ensure the safety of workers and customers.
Several restaurants reported that customers had generally accepted the initiatives implemented and they “appear to be comfortable”.
But they have started to report a cut in business.
A consortium of about 29 restaurant operators indicated in a notice that they were working both independently and collectively on several initiatives to ensure that they were doing their best for the customers.
In addition to outlining the measures being taken, the restaurant operators advised customers to “order takeout, stay calm and continue to adhere to the approved messages from the local health authorities”.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Ryan Walters told Barbados TODAY they were all reporting a decrease in business and a definite decline in walk-in customers.
“The general response here is that there is definitely a decline in business,” said Walters.
Since the announcement of the first two cases, officials have been pleading with residents to limit their public gathering to no more than 100 people and for the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions, who are said to be at greater risk of dying from the virus, to stay indoors as much as possible.
Walters said: “Although there has been decline in sales since the announcement [of the first two cases on island], in some cases delivery has picked up, but most of the customers have understood the measures we have put in place.”
One of the island’s most popular food delivery businesses expressed doubt about a possible uptick in business.
Co-founder of Hopscotch Mark Boyce told Barbados TODAY that there was a decline in orders since the report of the first two cases on Tuesday.
Boyce said: “It has decreased in part
because part of our business comes from the University of the West Indies, part of it comes from Ross University and both of those institutions have now closed and the students have gone home.
“Tourists are fewer, those on the island are probably going to leave sooner than expected and many of the ones who were going to come are probably not going to come any more. So that portion of our business has also gone.”
He said he was waiting to see if the Barbadian public would turn to delivery services as social distancing intensifies. He said it also depended on how the situation developed and whether restaurants continued to operate.
Boyce told Barbados TODAY: “Many of those people I don’t know how they are going to behave in the coming weeks.
“It may be that they are nervous, and they are beginning to cut their discretionary spending, and food delivery and prepared meals from restaurants is certainly discretionary.
“So our business has so far decreased, but it is early days yet.
“So we will see if it comes to pass what everyone thinks that people will start flocking to delivery services. It also depends on whether the restaurants close down.”
Barbados TODAY was unable to locate management of The Pantry Barbados, which said it was offering free grocery and cleaning supply delivery.
“Beat COVID-19. We offer free delivery of groceries and cleaning supplies. Send your personalized shopping list to orders@thepantrybarbados.com,” it said in an ad.
“Simply send us an email listing your shopping items and desired quantities, and your items will be hand delivered to your home,” the company said.
Barbados TODAY understands that several restaurant and shop owners are now putting plans in place as they expect business to worsen for them in the coming weeks.
It is understood that some fast food chains and other eateries in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, where there are more cases of the virus than Barbados, they were experiencing declines of up to 60 per cent in business.
One local restaurant operator who did not want to be identified told Barbados TODAY: “If it does come to that we are talking about closing stores, putting staff on holiday, on leave.”
Popular lunchtime and night-time hangout spot Flash Zone announced on Wednesday that it was suspending all “entertainment activities” at its Walmer Lodge, Black Rock location.
But its bar remains open and “will primarily focus on the food aspect of our business with daily lunch and dinner specials from $15”, the management said, while advising customers they could call and order meals in advance.
FlashZone said: “The health and safety of our patrons, staff and other stakeholders is paramount and we urge you to inform, educate, prepare, and protect yourselves and your families against this pandemic.”
marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb
