New restrictions spark rush to banks, supermarkets in Tobago

The Prime Minister's announcement that only essential workers would be allowed to go to work after Sunday night sparked a second phase of panic buying at supermarkets and people rushing to financial institutions and other service providers to get their business done on Friday.

On Thursday, Dr Rowley said the country will move to a new level of isolation. He said the government would publish a list of essential workers on Friday.

When Newsday visited Scarborough on Friday, the rush made social distancing difficult, as many people lined pavements and store fronts as they hurried to pay their bills ahead of the deadline.

At First Citizens Bank, groups of frustrated clients stood outside for hours as they waited their turn to go in.

This was despite the fact that the Goverment had said banks were among the sectors that would continue business as usual after Sunday.

One customer said she had been waiting for close to three hours.

“This is ridiculous…This is the only branch of the bank open on this end of the island, and yet still they not managing it well. They need to put better protocols and procedures in place, I just need to pay my loan, it's due today and if I ent pay it today, they quick to put on their interest.”

The security guard was reminding people of social distancing guidelines and telling them to stay outside until it was their turn.

The same was observed at Republic Bank, Auchenskeouch, although service there appeared faster.

Supermarkets and a few other businesses have had to change day-to-day operations to align with the new public health guidelines. Major supermarket chains like Penny Savers and Viewport have installed sinks with hand soap and paper towels so that customers can wash their hands when they enter. Security officials at Penny Savers reminded customers to do so. However, they still had to wait their turn, as no more than ten shoppers were permitted in at once.

Customers leaving had bought large amounts of toilet paper, rice, oil, flour, sugar, water and cleaning detergents.

Viewport Supermarket has introduced a Viewportgo app so customers can shop online and go there in person only to pay and collect their goods.

At Gulf City Mall, Lowlands, customers gathered outside Bmobile and Courts.

One customer at Courts said: “This is madness. I just need to get inside to pay my bill. Why they have people standing out here like we begging? Better needs to be done.”

There were also long lines at gas stations.