By Kimberly Ramkhalawan
kramkhalawan@caribmagplus.com
July 20, 2021
After close to three months of total closure, food outlets and vendors were allowed to resume their business on Monday July 19, however, functioning only as curbside, drive-thrus and pickups, with dining in prohibited.
Restaurants, fast food outlets, and food vendors were shut down in April after Trinidad and Tobago began to see an uptake in COVID-19 cases in what has been its deadliest wave since the start of the pandemic.
Long lines were seen at Starbucks drive thru outlets on Monday morning, for those looking to get their coffee pickup, while social distancing queues could be seen at nearby doubles vendors serving up Trinidad and Tobago’s favourite breakfast staple.
The resumption of sale of food also comes as Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley announced the possibility of mandatory vaccines after the country received its order of 800,000 Sinopharm vaccines from China.
Many restaurants came under flack for announcing to their staff that they would be required to take the vaccine before resuming duties, or fail to be rostered for work if they did not comply. However, local attorneys warned of this being a possible breach of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and employees could get redress once they file for judicial review.
Over the weekend, staff at several food outlets, such as Subway, Royal Castle, KFC were seen to be busy as they cleaned and prepared for the much-anticipated reopening.
For the popular KFC outlets in Trinidad, CEO of Prestige Holding, oversight company of the local franchise, Simon Hardy announced ahead of the reopening of increase in its product prices, as the supply chain said it could no longer absorb the increase costs in oil and chicken. Persons heading to the popular outlet could expect increased prices in their combos. One customer said he paid $149 for a Mega Bucket of ten pieces of chicken. Upon checking the KFC TT Social media pages, this same bucket priced at $99 to $115 with sides and drinks.
As for sales following the first day of reopening, some vendors selling pies and pastries say sales appeared to be slow, as the most towns and city business centers remained relatively quiet, as retail store outlets remain closed at this time. Some attribute this slow in sales also to those used to having to prepare their meals from home, while most persons prefer to keep safe during the pandemic and stay at home.
While the limit of congregating in public spaces is limited to five persons, some vendors say the small pockets gathered did not indicate that this meant a slow sales day. One doubles vendor says her clientele placed orders for collection as many were opting this route to avoid the gathering. And while it is customary to stand at the vendor and consume the delicacy, customers knew their purchase had to be savoured elsewhere.
Head of Global Brands Limited, Anthony Sabga-Aboud, says while they reopen their outlets, Rituals Coffee house, Pizza Boys and Church’s Chicken outlets on Monday, strict safety protocols are said to be in place for patrons visiting their outlets. He says staff have also been assigned to the restaurant floors to ensure social distancing rules are adhered.
It’s expected that retail outlets will join the reopening phases by the end of July, making three months of total lockdown for several businesses.