Govt firm on eatery closures, open on compensation

A cry from some restaurateurs for them to be allowed to remain open for curbside pickups and deliveries during the impending lockdown failed to move Government to reconsider their closure but they are being promised consideration for some form of compensation.

Minister of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Kerrie Symmonds had earlier revealed that financial assistance would be given to a variety of small businesses including village shops, vendors, barbers and hair salons, which will also be shut.

He said the decision to keep restaurants closed was made to discourage Barbadians from leaving home during the lockdown.

Symmonds declared: “I think the answer to that, unfortunately, has to be no. It is with the greatest possible reluctance that Government has come to this point.

“This shutdown is not like the shutdown that we went through in the earlier part of last year and for the very real reason that there is a tremendously greater degree of severity with regard to this strain that has been identified in Barbados.

“I don’t say that to panic people but I say that to be real.

“We know that we cannot treat lightly to these set of circumstances and therefore there has to be a disincentive, a discouragement from feeling that Monday they can go by Kentucky and Tuesday go by another company or wherever to get drive-thru to get whatever because there is a little bit of spree time and you can be out on the road enjoying yourself a little bit.”

The minister said although Government’s coffers were under significant strain because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was open to discussions with restaurateurs.

But he stressed that Government would be “proceeding with caution”.

Symmonds said: “I think that a case would have to be made and I would advise those people who feel they are in that set of circumstances to do a little advocacy and come to us and let us see what is possible and if it is possible.

“It is true to say that through the Fund Access and the Trust Loans we would have lent assistance to hundreds of businesses in the aftermath of the last lockdown.

“I don’t take lightly the challenge but equally, I have to proceed with caution because even as everyone is making a special pleading the reality is that Government’s resources are also falling, tax revenues are falling… so yes, everyone would want Government to come and partner and trust me Government will do its best, but the reality is that there is a limitation on what is possible and I think we have to face that reality.” (RB)