Tobago restaurateur rescinds decision on PCR tests for staff

Tobago businessman Jeffrey Azar has rescinded his decision mandating unvaccinated workers to undergo PCR tests every three weeks, after his employees, most of whom are unvaccinated, remained defiant against the jab.

Azar is the chairman of JNR Investments Ltd, which owns the Roosters fast food restaurant, with two branches at Shirvan Plaza and ANR Robinson International Airport, Crown Point, as well as Kitchen Creole restaurant and Nova’s Café at Shirvan Plaza.

Newsday understands that some staff were vehemently opposed to the policy of mandatory PCR tests and were exploring their options.

Last week, Azar issued a memo which indicated that with the arrival of the delta variant, the company would have to implement three measures: that all staff would have to be fully vaccinated by the end of September; employees who could not be vaccinated would have to provide a note from a doctor saying so; and that those employees should submit a negative PCR test every three weeks, starting November 1, at their own expense.

Azar explained the reversal of the decision to Newsday on Wednesday.

“I rescinded the PCR testing. But they have to wear a face shield and a mask, because they were all refusing to take the vaccine. You can’t beat a dead horse – it has reached a stage where if they don’t want to take it, well, they are just going to have to abide by some rules to protect the other staff who are vaccinated and the customers,” he said.

This will come into effect from August 20.

He said currently he has 68 workers, and only ten per cent are vaccinated.

“This decision – it’s the best protection that we can do to safeguard everybody.”

He said when the first memo was issued, through communication with staff, the issue was addressed as he said a PCR test is approximately $1,100.

“With the cost, we broke it down to once a month, every three weeks. But my staff said they can’t afford that either. So I rescinded it. But they have to wear their mask and a face shield – that’s all.”

He said both items would have to be worn properly at all times while staff were at work.

He said he is for the vaccination of all, and he is fully vaccinated.

“I follow the rules. If they say this is what would protect your life – I am 65 years old, I have no other choice – if they tell me that this would stop me from going in ICU, then I take it."

Prior to the delta variant being found in TT in unvaccinated returning nationals, Azar had told Newsday he was against mandatory PCR tests for unvaccinated workers.

He had said, "It’s about $1,100 for a PCR test, and that doesn’t make any sense. I am not in favour of that, because employees cannot afford $2,200 a month.”

As of Wednesday, Tobago had 610 active covid19 cases and 55 deaths. There were 34 patients in state isolation, 572 in home isolation and four in Intensive Care Unit.

Tobagonians currently have a choice of Sinopharm and AstraZeneca vaccines – both approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO). A batch of Pfizer vaccines – also WHO approved – recently arrived in TT but is reserved for children 12 to 18 years old and pregnant women.