Business – almost – as usual in San Fernando

Businesses were in full swing on Tuesday morning, as High Street, San Fernando resumed normal activity, but the difference was that people were wearing masks.

On Monday retail outlets and malls reopened and public servants were allowed back to work, with conditionalities, after the PM announced on Saturday phase three of the reopening of the economy in light of covid19 restrictions.

Almost all the stores on High Street enforced a “No Mask, No Entry” policy. Additionally, hand sanitiser stations were set up, and some stores positionedan employee by entrances to ensure customers complied with the health and safety rules. Manager at JD’s Exclusive Gary Harrilal said the store was making sure people complied with the mandate laid down by the government. He said, “We are not letting anyone in who is not wearing a mask. That was a condition that the government insisted on, in order for businesses to reopen.

“We intend to adhere to it and we were also trying to limit the number of people that come into the store to five at a time.”

Raymond Walcott, owner and manager of Raymond’s, a clothing store also on High Street, said he was trying to limit how long people spend browsing in the store.

“We are not allowing people in if they do not have a mask on. We also advise them to ask for assistance with items and to limit their time sent in the store.

“Things have changed and some policies also have to reflect that.” The same sentiments were expressed by other store managers, who agreed the policies were necessary to stymie the spread of the covid19 virus

Manager at Fabric Land Marjorie Croll said, “I think if people follow the rules and wear the mask when in public, we have a much better chance of some form of normalcy in our daily lives.”

Newsday saw roadside vendors also wearing their masks when dealing with customers. One vendor, who wished not to be named, said she would remove her mask when it becomes difficult to breathe, but wore it as much as possible.

Some taxi drivers on the Gasparillo and Penal taxi stands also insisted their passengers wore masks.