Bar owners 'worried about mental state of employees'

Bar owners expressed concern for the financial and mental welfare of their employees on Monday after restrictions on in-house dining at bars and restaurants were extended for another two weeks.

After the Prime Minister’s press conference on Saturday, Barkeepers and Operators Association of TT (BOATT) president Teron Mohan issued a statement that said the lives of employees have been adversely affected by the restrictions to curb the spread of covid19.

"The mental state of our employees has been…diminished and a sense of doom and gloom now hangs over their heads,” said Mohan.

He said the government needs to reach out to business owners and engage in conversation with them about the issues they have faced under the restrictions.

Mohan said over 25,000 bar owners and employees have been “cast aside” by the government with no concern for how they will provide for their families. He said the association is concerned that the extension of restrictions will only worsen the financial strain.

“As a result, the industry will not be able to sustain operations.”

As the country braces itself for more job losses, people will have a hard time paying for basic amenities, he said.

“All this, while the Health Minister says, ‘We are in a good place.’ How can this be a good place when thousands of citizens are left on the breadline through no fault of their own (and) no care and assistance from the relevant authorities?”

He said it is unfair that the business sector continues to suffer while people are allowed to go to beaches,where they are permitted to eat and drink in an “uncontrolled environment.”

“Can people consume food and beverages without removing their masks? This is deemed acceptable by the government while the business sector, which has created a controlled environment by implementing safety guidelines and protocols, are being denied the opportunity.”

Mohan said the damage being done to the local economy during the partial lockdown of the business sector will have long-lasting effects.

“The BOATT is pleading with government to have open dialogue with us and all stakeholders involved on a way forward.”