Oistins Bay Garden getting back on its feet

Oistins Bay Garden customers are slowly returning after it shut shop for a week over a COVID-19 scare, vendors reported hours before the popular Friday fish fry.

Chairman of the Oistins Bay Garden Inc Kemar Harris told Barbados TODAY that since reopening for Fish Fry Fridays on September 17, that there has not been a major increase in sales, but vendors are pleased to be able to return to their livelihoods.

He said: “I can’t say that I am satisfied with the sales. I would say that it is a tough period now economically for all Barbadians. So the amount of people that you would have seen before, you can recognize that they are dwindling. However, we are still grateful for the tourists coming on Fridays which is our busiest day and that really helps the vendors here.

“The vendors are elated to come back out. You know, this is most persons bread and butter here. So, having their bread and butter here and you can’t work, no work no money. And when there ain’t no money, you can’t buy no food and you can’t deal with no basic amenities. Also, despite the food sales may be picking up, I have two registered bars here and since persons can’t drink in bars, it would have put a little damper on that.”

The current coronavirus restrictions do not bar outdoor dining but only limited seating is allowed at the Bay Garden, he said.

Amid a surge of COVID-19 cases, Harris urged customers to arrange curbside pickup with their vendor. He said contact information for all vendors is available on the Oistins Bay Garden Facebook and Instagram social media pages.

Businesses in the Bay Garden were closed on September 9 as a precautionary measure after one of its 32 vendors tested positive for the coronavirus. The vendors and all National Conservation Commission (NCC) staff were advised to get tested. Harris said all the results came back negative.

The chairman stressed that management of Oistins Bay Garden has implemented strict measures to ensure that the COVID-19 protocols are followed by all visitors and workers in the area.

He said: “We have put up some more signage. It is a must that you will not be served at any stall in Bay Garden unless you have on a mask and coming to the stall you will be sanitized.”

Harris, who noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the craft industry at the Bay Garden, issued an appeal to authorities for assistance for craft operators who are struggling to make ends meet.

(anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb)