Members of the Downtown Owners and Merchants Association say they will be sitting on the edge of their seats as the Prime Minister is expected to speak at the customary Saturday press conference.
In a statement issued yesterday, DOMA said the retail sector in this country has been subjected to a much longer closure than what previously occurred. They were ordered closed on April 29.
DOMA said, “Indeed our retail and distribution sector is experiencing a duration of closure that exceeds the closure of all other retail sectors in the Caribbean.”
It said while it understands the Government’s need to manage the COVID-19 pandemic and the “laudable emphasis now being made on a drive to vaccinate the population.”
DOMA said, “We feel constrained to plead again for urgent consideration for at least a partial re-opening of the retail sector.
“To the CMO and his team and to the Prime Minister and the Government we wish to indicate that we are willing to re-open with guideline stipulations whether it be reduced opening and closing hours or access for a limited number of customers at any one time. We feel that consideration has to be given to allow businesses to re-open in some form so as to begin the process of allowing some trading to take place.”
DOMA added the reopening, “has to be attempted to create not only a stimulus for businesses which are drowning in liabilities but also to give a glimmer of hope that we can actually reclaim the lives which we once had.”
It said it hopes its situation is not overlooked.