Bookstores want to be listed as ‘essential service’

Bookstores are not classified as an essential service, but the Book Industry of TT (BIOTT) believes they should be.

In a statement on Wednesday, BIOTT said parents and teachers have been calling bookstores across the country to get their hands on schoolbooks and other resources for their children to “get a head start.”

The statement said parents want resources to help keep their children occupied and entertained while they are at home.

“Parents are further seeking extra-curricular activities to entertain their children,” said BIOTT representative Vivek Charran in the statement. “Our nation’s children are being deprived of novels, religious books, inspirational books, business books, storybooks to read.”

Charran said teachers are also seeking resources and literary tools for their students.

The BIOTT is calling on Minister of Education Anthony Garcia to have bookstores listed as an essential service provider.

“BIOTT and its members have fully complied with the lockdown (and) seek to commend the government...for the decisive measures taken to protect the health of its citizens during the global pandemic of covid19,” said Charran. However, despite the government’s best effort, Charran said “not all students have the capacity to go online and fulfil their education requirements.”

Charran said customers have also been asking for items such as “colouring and activity books, writing practice books, and crayons.”

He said the BIOTT commends the effort of essential workers, adding, “The continued education and growth of our twin island nation are just as essential.”