[UPDATED] Supermarkets get 24-hour opening for Christmas

Supermarkets, groceries and other retail outlets selling food items have been granted 24-hour operational privileges for the Christmas season.

At his media conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s on Saturday, the Prime Minister said this would be done from December 10 to January 3 to accommodate Christmas shopping and to stymie the concentration of people in one area and the spread of the covid9 virus.

Dr Rowley said, “In anticipation of the Christmas shopping and in collaboration with the suppliers of Christmas goodies and the groceries here, we expect in the coming days there would be more and more people going to do their Christmas shopping.

“We have agreed that we would allow groceries at the request of the grocers, and with our own analysis, groceries and supermarkets, we would allow those places to open for 24 hours. That will spread out the number of people because their time of going there is anytime, any day between December 10 and January 3.”

The closure of bars, partial in-house dining, border control and other previous restrictions remained unchanged.

“It is easy to say that our numbers are relatively good so we should open. The answer is no. The reason why the numbers are relatively good and going in the right direction is because of what we have been doing.

“It is not that the numbers are good, and we should now open-up and behave as though there are no challenges or threats,” Rowley said.

Rowley said data showed that the Divali period last month did not impact covid19 circumstances negatively and hoped common sense would be exercised during the Christmas season.

President of the Greater San Fernando Area Chamber of Commerce (GSFACC) Kiran Singh on Saturday said this was good news for businesses and workers alike.

He said, “This announcement brings some relief in a time where people's finances are next to nil. The longer opening hours will allow suppliers to get their goods out, and people to get jobs, since some supermarkets may have to hire additional help.

“Likewise, it makes things more convenient for people shopping and would contribute to reduced concentrated gatherings.”

He said thankfully TT does not have high mortality rate but covid19 cases must be reduced.

Singh added that with the extended opening hours, the risk for criminal activity would be heightened and called for increased police patrols.

“Patrons, workers and business owners would now be targeted even more. Additional police patrols would be necessary, and businesses should also be responsible enough and invest in security, if they chose in the new opening hours.”

Newsday attempted to contact president of the supermarkets association Rajiv Diptee but was unsuccessful.

Stop partying in villas

Rowley also cautioned against parties and large gatherings for Christmas, especially at resorts and villas.

He said, “I am seeing invitations and ideas for parties. Just remember that when you do that you are automatically agreeing to play Russian roulette with a deadly virus.

“The villas in Tobago are largely booked up. Some people, largely Trinidadians in a villa believe that because you are in a villa in Tobago it is to have a party. Could I appeal to you that whatever you are engaged in, do not do so in large groups.”

His comments came after reports of home gatherings had excessive numbers of people on private properties.

Rowley said, “This challenge of covid19 is largely personal behaviour driven. Whatever happens to us – good, bad or worse is going to be as a result of the overall personal behaviour of the population.

“I am very disturbed by the small cohort of population which I presume are among the most educated. If our managed people could behave like that, I am fearful of what is going to happen with the rest (of the population).”

Rowley added that some people behave as though they have special privileges because of their area of residence.

“A number of households in Western Trinidad believe it (health protocols) does not apply to them because they live in a high-end district. I am appealing to you to not behave in a selfish way and expose us.”

This story has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

Supermarkets, groceries and other retail outlets selling food items have been granted 24-hour operational privileges for the Christmas season.

At his media conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s on Saturday, the Prime Minister said this would be done from December 10 to January 3 to accommodate Christmas shopping and to stymie the concentration of people in one area and the spread of the covid9 virus.

Dr Rowley said, “In anticipation of the Christmas shopping and in collaboration with the suppliers of Christmas goodies and the groceries here, we expect in the coming days there would be more and more people going to do their Christmas shopping.

“We have agreed that we would allow groceries at the request of the grocers, and with our own analysis, groceries and supermarkets, we would allow those places to open for 24 hours. That will spread out the number of people because their time of going there is anytime, any day between December 10 and January 3.”

The closure of bars, partial in-house dining, border control and other previous restrictions remained unchanged.