Opposition Leader, Kamla Persad Bissessar has called on Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to open up small businesses and manufacturing companies as part of the first phase of reopening that kicks in today.
Persad-Bissessar spoke with reporters in San Fernando during a nationwide distribution of hampers to mothers yesterday.
On Saturday, the Prime Minister announced that restaurants and other places selling food will be allowed to reopen from today for pick-ups and deliveries until 8 pm daily.
But Persad-Bissessar said that is simply not enough.
“There are still those who are seriously affected by the economic impact and the Prime Minister should seriously consider not just opening the food places but small businesses,” she said.
She added that small businesses are “really suffering” and those businesses may have one or two employees.
She said Dr Rowley should reconsider his decision and “really look to opening up the small businesses and manufacturing.”
She added that “these are the ones who will come back and get jobs that are going and put us on the path to economic recovery.”
Following the Prime Minster’s announcement on Saturday, several business associations, including the manufacturers association, expressed concerns about remaining closed.