Deyalsingh, Parasram visit PoS restaurants

Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh and Chief Medical Officer Dr Roshan Parasram, accompanied by a public health inspector, made impromptus visit to reopened restaurants in downtown Port of Spain on Monday morning.

The Prime Minister announced on Saturday that as part of the government's phased reopening strategy, restaurants would be allowed to offer take-away services from Monday

Customers and workers at KFC, Mario's and neighbouring food outlets on Independence Square had a surprise when they were unexpectedly visited by the government officials, shortly after the morning virtual press conference.

One KFC customer, on recognising them, abandoned her order and ran outside, hiding her face from the cameras that followed the minister and his entourage.

Deyalsingh and his team inspected the restaurants, speaking to managersand closely watching to see if customers and staff were observing social distancing protocols.

Before arriving downtown, Deyalsingh said he visited two doubles vendors and a restaurant on Park Street where he usually eats lunch, which he did not identify. The Ministyr of Health is at the corner of Park and Edward Streets.

“We decided to make an unannounced visit to see what is happening with food establishments from small, medium and large,” he said.“What we have noticed is that there is a terrible degree of inconsistency…some are very good, some are so-so, some are terrible.”

Deyalsingh said he and his team will have to come up with rules for restaurants.

“Certain minimal requirements (will be) drafted by regulation and that is what we are going to be doing from now on,” he said.

The team also visited Hosein’s Roti Shop and Lucky Bakery on Independence Square, speaking to members of the public on Charlotte Street along the way.