Bar owners: 'Follow WHO and lift lockdown on us'

The Barkeepers and Operators Association of TT (BOATT) is calling on the government to immediately lift the restriction on bars and restaurants.

It made the call in light of statements by the World Health Organization (WHO) on lockdowns.

In a release, the association said Dr David Nabarro, director-general of WHO, "appealed to world leaders, telling them to stop using lockdowns as your primary control method of the coronavirus. He also claimed that the only thing lockdowns achieved was poverty, with no mention of the potential lives saved. He also said that the only time we believe a lockdown is justified is to buy you time to reorganise, regroup, rebalance your resources, protect your health workers who are exhausted, but by and large, we’d rather not do it."

BOATT said the CMO, Dr Roshan Parasram, and Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh have taken pride in mentioning that their actions are in accordance with WHO recommendations and guidelines.

“They have both been on record stating that our parallel health care system is fully equipped and has ample capacity to deal with the covid19 situation in TT. Because of this," it argued, "together with the mandatory mask legislation, there is absolutely no reason in which the government can justify continued restrictions to the business community of TT.”

The association categorically stated that bars and restaurants are on lockdown, as the present health ordinance has taken away the fundamental basis on which their businesses run and are based.

“The association stands firm in its position that proper adherence and enforcement of the Ministry of Health guidelines are necessary at this time in all business and public settings and would like to urge all bar owners to do so. The association also stands firm in its position that all businesses that do not adhere to the proper health guidelines should feel the full brunt of the law.”

BOATT said it continues to engage all stakeholders and strive for excellence according to world health standards to ensure that covid19 remains under control in TT.