For breaching regulations, the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) yesterday issued warning letters and ordered a number of business entities closed as part of its promised stepped up enforcement.
Stabroek News understands that the Movie Towne-based Hard Rock Café was one of the establishments that was issued with both a warning letter and notice of closure for its breach.
Sources told this newspaper that while restaurants have been granted permission for outdoor dining, in keeping with COVID-19 regulations, the establishment was found in default for having in-house dining.
Head of the COVID-19 Task Force, Prime Minister Mark Phillips yesterday told Stabroek News that he could not answer specifically about Hard Rock Café but that during yesterday’s NCTF enforcement exercise a number of establishments were ordered closed.
“A number of bars and indoor dining facilities were found to be in breach of COVID-19 protocols and were ordered closed,” Phillips said.
Director of the NCTF, Nazrul Hussain echoed the Prime Minister’s update of works by the NCTF and said that he could not single out any entity but “yes, a number of establishments were ordered closed”.
With business establishments fined, Berbice has seen over 100 arrests over transgressions of the regulations. Its Commander, Jairam Ramlakhan has signalled no tolerance for breaches. saying that enforcement exercises will be continued. He stressed that it is important that persons follow the guidelines before the COVID situation escalates further.
In the city, a number of restaurants and bars remain opened past the 10 pm curfew with Club Altitude in Sandy Babb Street, Giftland Mall’s The Strip and the Sleepin Casino on Church Street among venues where large crowds had gathered.
It is unclear what actions are taken by police in the city as they are the main enforcers of the restrictions.
