As concerns continue to grow over the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), businesses that had scaled back on operations are now being forced to temporarily shut their operations in a bid to cut losses and reduce the spread of the disease.
Within the last week, several businesses which support the services of the tourism industry have made the decision to shutter operations. While some businesses will be closed for two weeks to a month, the closure of others are indefinite.
At this stage, the livelihood of hundreds of workers are on the line but some businesses have announced special packages to aid in this situation.
President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer, said they have asked members to not dismiss staff indiscriminately and are advising them to act in line with labour laws.
Deygoo-Boyer expressed concern that not much attention is being given to the negative impact COVID-19 has placed on the local economy and called on the authorities to shed some light on this issue.
“The authorities are behind the curve and are focusing on the public health concerns but they need to get ahead of the curve so we can look at how the economy has been impacted,” he lamented.
Nonetheless, he believes that the government should consider a lockdown since it seems some citizens are not taking the spread of the virus seriously.
The GCCI president said that while this would further impact businesses, the health of the population must be considered and necessary action must be taken to reduce the transmission of the disease.
Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Captain Gerry Gouveia, also echoed similar sentiments as he commented on the effects of COVID-19 on businesses.
He disclosed that the PSC has asked businesses such as bars, restaurants and nightclubs to consider halting their operations so as to prevent social gatherings. He opined that the only manner by which the transmission of the disease will be stopped is by persons reducing their social outings.
Gouveia, further stated that they have met with the Ministries of Business and Finance and advised them of the current economic climate while requesting that measures be put in place to cushion the effects.
The PSC chairman also raised concerns that there has been no meeting with the National Ministerial Task Force that was set up to implement measures to fight COVID-19 and hopes one can be held soon.
Many businesses have announced their closures via social media platforms – Facebook and Instagram. Several businesses have had to close operations due to economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The impact has been detrimental to several entities and employees are being laid off by businesses that are unable to stay afloat.
Yesterday, the management of Status Hotel on Croal Street in an advertisement as well as on their social media page announced that they will be closed until further notice. The closure takes effect from today.
In a notice, which appeared in Stabroek News (page 11), the management of the Status Hotel and Space Gym, announced that while they had anticipated a 12-day closure, the confirmation of new cases has forced them to reassess their decision. They will be closed until further notice.
The hotel said that the independent businesses housed in the hotel building; Nice Restaurant – a Brazilian eatery, along with the boutique and hair salon will also be closed.
“Our priority continues to be the protection and wellbeing of all our stakeholders – our clients, guests, service providers and employees. We trust that by our decision to close we are doing our part in promoting social distancing and limiting the movement of people as far as feasible,” the notice stated.
The hotel also announced that they will continue to support their employees and business partners in whatever way they can.
A senior management figure yesterday told Stabroek News that they will offer financial aid to staff members in the interest of their welfare. It was explained that only ten employees from the hotel will be impacted by the closure.
The hotel in the notice however, said that they will continue to monitor the situation and will advise on the resumption of service/opening via the media.
Meanwhile, the Giftland Group of Companies, that had made the decision to close the Mall from today, has said that its staff will be given the opportunity to work in the supermarket, which will remain open.
Chief Operating Officer, Devindra Doodnauth, related that they are currently working out a schedule for staff to be rotated on shift system to work in the supermarket.
“We are looking at rotating groups of workers from the different Giftland concessions to work in the FoodMaxx Supermarket. We are looking at this as a means of allowing our staff to earn at the end of the month. It will be a lower income because the hours will be less but we will be giving them an opportunity to earn,” Doodnauth said before explaining that staff, who are not comfortable working during this period will be given the opportunity to opt out from the rotation.
On Thursday last, the Giftland Group announced that they will be closing the mall temporarily. All concessions except the FoodMaxx Supermarket and Shoppers Pharmacy will remain closed. Opening hours have been reduced to 10 am -7.30pm.
In a separate notice, the company announced that the supermarket will provide pickup and delivery services to customers. It was noted that a fee is attached to the delivery service.
Bounty Supermarket also announced a similar measure in addition to limiting the number of persons being in the supermarkets at any one time. In their notice, which was posted on Facebook, the supermarket also requested that customers be swift with their visits to the store. They also announced a special time slot for members of the public, 65 and older, to shop daily. This time is between 7.30 and 8.30 am daily.
Customers, who display symptoms of a cold/flu or cough will not be permitted entry into the store.
The supermarket said at this time there are no plans to close operations and they will only do so, if they are ordered to by the relevant authorities.
Movie Theatres
Princess Movie Theaters, Caribbean Cinemas and Movietowne Theaters, have announced that they will be closing until further notice. Last week these entities had explained that they were implementing measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. At that point, they had announced that they had witnessed a drastic decline in patrons visiting the theaters and had said they were forced to reduce the number of shows per day due to the low turnout.
All of the theatres advised that persons can keep checking their social media pages to enquire about their reopening dates.
The Roraima Group of Companies has also announced that 90 per cent of its staff has been asked to proceed on leave. Gouveia told Stabroek News that they have paid staff their March salaries before allowing them to proceed on an indefinite leave period.
Roraima’s staff complement is about 300 and all company operations have been closed.
Since the confirmation of COVID-19 in Guyana, businesses have been taking stringent measures to curtail its spread, with some opting to suspend operations.
Thousands of workers in the private sector could be affected should more move to do the same. Some are already contemplating asking staffers to proceed on leave until the situation is under control.
