The Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) in charge of the Port Mourant Market in Region Six has closed the market until further notice in response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), while the region’s town councils have issued stricter guide-lines for businesses and vendors.
In a notice, vendors were told that the NDC had decided at a meeting that the market would be closed from Friday at 4 pm until further notice. The council has also banned all road-side vending around the market.
However, yesterday vendors still showed up to operate outside the market. One fish vendor explained that she had already order-ed fish to sell yesterday at the market. “I had to come and sell out me thing daughter because I did already tell them fisherman bring for me. The police come early and ask we to move out or we go get fine but I had to sell out me fish them,” she stated.
The woman said she promised the lawmen that she would remove once her fish had sold. “The police say the NDC close the market and we got to wait on them but I tell them I go lef just now,” the elderly vendor, who left the market just after 11 am yesterday, added.
During a drive around the Port Mourant Market yesterday, this newspaper observed that only persons selling essential items, such as vegetables, fruits, fish and grocery, were vending.
However, it was clear that social distancing was not maintained outside the market yesterday.
In addition to that, the Port Mourant NDC in their noticed urged residents to pay heed to the national curfew and to be indoors by 6 pm every day. Restaurants and bars located within the NDC have been asked to stop all dining and offer take out services. Other businesses which are expected to be closed by 6 pm, were also asked to erect a wash sink at the entrance of their premises.
The NDC asked residents to maintain social distance by remaining at least 3 to 6 feet apart when heading out before curfew for essential items, while religious and public gatherings have been limited by the NDC.
Meanwhile, the Rose Hall Market will operate from 6 am to 12 midday, while essential businesses within the township are only being allowed to operate from 8 am to 1 pm. The operators of several non-essential businesses, such as retailers of electronics and clothing, remained opened yesterday. One business owner told Stabroek News that they were considering closing from Monday.
The Skeldon Market will also operate until 12 midday every day except Wednesdays and Sundays, when the market will be closed, while on Saturdays the market will operate until 3 pm.
The Corriverton Town Council has issued an advisory limiting public gatherings to no more than three persons. It has also banned all roadside vending.
The council has also cautioned that dining out and imbibing at bars and restaurants are not allowed, thus advising those businesses to offer take away services if possible. Pharmacies in the township are allowed to operate up to 6 pm.
The New Amsterdam Market will operate half day every day except on Wednesdays and Sundays, when it will be closed. Notably, only persons selling essential items will be allowed to operate in the market on days when it is opened.
Also, in New Amsterdam only restaurants offering delivery services are allowed to be opened until 4 pm, while supermarkets and grocery stores were cautioned to monitor the intake of customers and to close at 4.30 pm.
Pitt Street in New Amsterdam was closed on Monday for sanitisation, while the Main Road in New Amsterdam was closed for sanitisation on Tuesday.
Pharmacies in New Amsterdam are allowed to operate until 6 pm also.
The authorities in Region Six in the various notices also urged citizens to take the necessary precautions and remain indoors as much as possible.
