A new system of shopping aimed at reducing numbers at supermarkets, fish markets, banks, and hardware stores appears to have yielded the same results that policymakers were hoping to avoid.
Although Acting Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw and managers at various establishments reported vast improvements, anxious customers in long, spiralling lines told a different story.
On Wednesday morning, shoppers whose surnames begin with the letters C through F arrived at supermarkets from as early as 6:30 in anticipation of the allotted 8 to 11 a.m. shopping period. Supermarkets in central areas like Warrens and in the south of the island appeared to be hit hardest by the rush of customers on the first day of shopping since Friday, April 3.
Some reported that after waiting as many as three hours in the blistering heat, they just barely made it inside before 11 and are hoping Government adjusts the system to allow one full shopping day, instead of two three-hour periods per week.
“We have to rethink this surname system because honestly we were standing up out here from after 7 a.m., It is almost 11 and many of these people are still in the category of C, D, E and F. So we need more than just three hours,” said one shopper at Popular Discount’s Kendall Hill, Christ Church branch, who only identified herself as Kelly.
Acting Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw (second from left) and Minister of Labour Colin Jordan (left) look on as shoppers exit Massy Supermarket.
“I didn’t spend as many hours in there as I spent outside waiting, because I got in just before 11 a.m. We need a full day for each letter. Half day isn’t cutting it,” she repeated.
Her sentiments were echoed by another shopper – Keisha who vented her frustration after a three-hour wait in line.
“I believe the new system should allow us to shop for the entire day. I haven’t spent an hour in the supermarket but the long wait outside took three hours,” she complained.
Meanwhile, Brenda Crawford who arrived at the Christ Church supermarket around 6:45 and got inside at 9:10 said despite the wait, the long lines were moving.
“There was still a line, but I think that was expected. So if you wanted to get in, you had to come early. I went in and got out quite quickly, so I think it’s working. Everyone was doing the social distancing and they had the lines marked out at the supermarket. So I think everything went well,” she added.
Earlier in the day, the acting Prime Minister toured a number of establishments accompanied by the Minister of Labour and Social Partnership Relations Colin Jordan. While at Popular, Bradshaw described the alphabetical system as having “generally worked well”.
She also suggested that the long lines seen on Wednesday were merely a reflection of the two-week, Government-ordered closure. The Labour Minister meanwhile lauded the efforts of employers to protect workers.
Customers maintain social distancing at Republic Bank.
A spokesperson from Popular Discounts told reporters that a large staff complement would remain on hand to respond to the overwhelming demand but added that management was hopeful that as the new system continues to take root, the crowds would taper off.
He explained that many of the people with surnames R to Z had already started assembling hours before their 1 p.m. shopping time, prompting additional measures from management that would allow persons to queue in the supermarket’s parking lot instead of spilling onto the main road outside.
“The customers have been very good this morning. After some initial hiccups, they are queuing really well. Of course, we have assisted by placing some six feet markers on the floor. The vast majority of them are wearing their masks and of course, they are being sanitized before entering,” he added.
Managing Director of Massy Stores, Randall Banfield reported that despite long lines at the Worthing Branch customers were orderly and, for the most part, continued to adhere to social distancing protocols.
Elsewhere, banking lines were extremely long, particularly in the St Michael area. Life also returned to the fish markets at Bridgetown and Oistins, which will all be governed by the new alphabetical system.
Hardware stores, which also opened for the first time since the shutdown, received relatively small crowds with the exception of the Kooyman Mega Stores at Kendall Hill which appeared to have been well patronised.
kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb
