Bar owners happy for reopening date

Bars did not open in the fourth phase as the Bar Owners/Operators Association of TT (BOATT) had hoped but its members are happy to finally have a reopening date.

On Saturday the Prime Minister announced that bars will reopen in the fifth phase (June 22), along with gyms and casinos. There is also to be the resumption of sporting activities and in-house dining. The public service will resume its full-time schedule and public transport will operate at 100 per cent.

Teron Mohan, BOATT’S interim president, said Dr Rowley’s announcement was well-received because members now have a definitive timeline.

“So we have been putting x to board with preparations,” he said.

Mohan said members have begun setting up and moving around whatever they can even though they have not received the official guidelines from Chief Medical Officer Dr Roshan Parasram as yet.

Bar owners and operators have begun putting in hand sanitisers, soap dispensers and safeguards.

Mohan expressed gratitude to Rowley, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh and National Security Minister Stuart Young for “how well they have handled this crisis thus far and the communication of where bars lie in the industry.”