Bars, agri sector thankful for vaccines

BOTH the agriculture and food and beverages sectors, as well as religious organisations, were thankful for the covid19 vaccines to be provided by the Ministry of Health.

On Saturday, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh at the Prime Minister’s media conference at the Diplomatic Center in St Ann’s, Port of Spain said 10,000 and 20,000 vaccines would be provide to the agriculture sector, including fisheries, and food and beverages sector, respectively. Religious organisations will be given 2,000 vaccines as well.

The covid19 pandemic struck the operations of the food and beverage sector hard, as it has been barely operational since March 2020.

Adviser to the Barkeepers and Operators Association (BOATT) Anil Maraj told Sunday Newsday that he was shocked by the announcement since they had made a separate request for 2,000 vaccines in the first instance.

He said they were unsure of how many BOATT would now receive from the 20,000-allocation but was thrilled that attention was finally being paid to the sector.

“We are very happy that food and beverage sector were allocated vaccines — be it for bars, food or restaurants only — we are still very thankful.”

Maraj said BOATT has almost 13,000 members and logistics were being worked out about who would receive vaccines.

Attempts were made to also contact president of the TT Beverage Alcohol Alliance (TTBAA) chairman Dr Patrick Antonie but he unavailable for an interview at the time.

President of the Agricultural Society TT (ASTT) Darryl Rampersad said while he does not know when they would receive the vaccines, they were working on the logistics to administer it, starting from those who were at high risk.

“We await the date and the site for the vaccines. I want priority to be placed on individuals who utilise the Namdevco wholesale facilities because those facilities are usually overcrowded.

“The vendors from the regional corporation markets and those who are not directly involved but are interacting, such as people under the different farming groups will follow.”

Rampersad said he was hopeful that their vaccination drive will begin by latest next week but would be in need of more vaccines as the sector has over 10,000 members.

Parish priest of St Benedict’s RC Church in La Romaine, Msgr Christian Pereira told Sunday Newsday that they were grateful most church members had been vaccinated.

“It is a good idea. It is not a major thing since most religious people (Catholics) have already taken their vaccines. I do not know about other churches or religions.”

“I already got both doses of the covid19 vaccines. Many leaders got vaccinated.”