Tobago supermarket owner: Shoppers must be responsible

Managing director of Penny Savers Supermarket, Tobago, Kurt Warner has said people must be mindful of the covid19 health protocols when shopping at groceries and supermarkets.

He was responding on Wednesday to the Supermarket Association’s plan to implement a one-person-per-family quota for shoppers at such stores, particularly at month-end.

Penny Savers Supermarket has three outlets in Tobago, at Canaan, Carnbee and Scarborough.

The association’s president Rajiv Diptee said on Tuesday the plan seeks to encourage people to shop in smaller numbers, given the upsurge in covid19 infections.

Diptee said although supermarket owners are trying their best to adhere to the health guidelines, many customers are still flouting the regulations with respect to washing their hands and physical distancing.

Warner told Newsday the move could assist in reducing the number of shoppers at supermarkets.

“It is something that was implemented when we had the initial outbreak of covid19, last year.

“So it is a measure. It can assist. But people really have to conform to it. It is nothing new, I would say. It was done for the greater part of 2020.”

But Warner said, “Everyone has to be responsible because at the end of the day, it is to avoid the congregation. Do we really need five and six people from one household at the supermarket at the same time? I don’t think so.”

The request to limit the numbers at supermarkets is a fair one, he said. But he believes supermarket owners will have to rely on moral suasion for the plan to succeed.

“I think this is now moral suasion because I am not seeing where we are able to stop an individual or individuals to find out, ‘Are you from the same household?’ So I think it is more moral suasion.”

Meanwhile, the Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development said in a statement on Wednesday there were four new covid19 cases in Tobago.

This brings to 40 the total number of active cases on the island.

The division said one person has been discharged.