RISHARD KHAN
rishard.khan@guardian.co.tt
It has been a slow start for Indian delicacies like doubles and aloo pies in South Trinidad today, as food service resumed around the country.
Salome Manoo, an Indian delicacy vendor at Debe, told Guardian Media that Monday morning's sales were at least three times slower than usual.
"We opened around 5:45 am. Sales are a little bit down as yet, but we’re hoping that during the day it will pick up," she said.
It was a similar report next door at "D Green Shed" according to one of the owners, Sally Manlal.
"It started up a bit quiet but steady. It's not peak time as yet. Peak time is normally around lunchtime," she said.
Over at Cross Crossing in San Fernando—commonly referred to as "De Cross"—there was also a noticeable lack of crowds. But according to vendor Rana Boodram, this did not mean fewer sales for her.
"A lot of my customers, they order...and just come and pick up," she said.
The vendors with whom Guardian Media spoke today were all extremely happy and grateful they could resume operations, after almost two and a half months of Government-mandated closure amidst surging COVID-19 cases.
Boodram was especially happy given she was almost barred by the San Fernando City Council after it initially decided to prohibit vending at the popular food hub. The decision was later reversed.
"I was so disappointed [with the initial decision]. I was hurt. In fact, when I got the call, I almost cried because this is our livelihood. When we don't work, we don't have a pay check coming in," she said.