Dear Editor,
Reference is made to “Politkles” cartoon (Sep 7). I do enjoy the cartoons and welcome them. This one seems to have a bias and perhaps with an ulterior motif. The script claims that guests of SleepIn Hotel flouted Covid curfew laws multiple times and appeals to the Prime Minister to take action. No one is above the law. If laws are violated, there must be consequences. Editor, I traveled back and forth between Guyana and USA. Several of these flights land around midnight during curfew hours. The flights arrival make it necessary for violation of Covid curfew – traveling to a hotel, checking in, ordering meals, etc. I read the Covid law. There are exemptions to the Covid rules for establishments providing essential services like airport, hospital, taxi, etc. A hotel provides essential services – food and a room to sleep. Should guests be starved or should they be denied entry in the hotel? Where should tourists spend the night? Sleepin provides exceptional service with affordable rates. How would basic service to guests be considered as violation of Covid curfew? Nevertheless, I read in your paper that SleepIn proprietor was hauled before the court. The case was twice put off. I read that the trial on the matter was slated to commence September 7 in the afternoon. Why this cartoon on the day the trial is slated to commence and why the missive last week on the eve of the trial? Is the focus on SleepIn because other hotels can’t compete? As someone who read the Covid curfew law, the Covid Task Force incorrectly charged SleepIn for violating curfew rules. I believe the case will be dismissed and the hotel entitled to compensation. Common sense suggests to me that SleepIn is targeted for violating rules for which all hotels are guilty.
Sincerely,
Vishnu Bisram
