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Former Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association (THTA) president Nicholas Hardwicke has said the “stop and start” nature of the business environment is not good for Tobago’s economy.
He was responding to the Government’s decision to return to anti-covid19 measures to curb the spread of the virus.
At the Ministry of Health’s covid19 briefing, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh announced there will be no in-house dining at restaurants, bars, cinemas and casinos and beaches will be closed.
He also announced that only groups of five will be allowed to gather in public while churches will continue to function at 50 per cent capacity.
The measures were expected to kick in from midnight on Wednesday and continue for the next three weeks.
As of Wednesday, TT recorded 85 new cases.
While he believes urgent action is necessary to prevent a further spike in cases, Hardwicke said he was concerned about ability of the Tobago economy to withstand the constraints.
[caption id="attachment_884157" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Beachgoers at Mt Irvine's Beach on Wednesday before a ban announced by the Ministry of Health kicks in at midnight. - DAVID REID[/caption]
“Hopefully, as a circuit breaker to the current trend, it will serve its purpose. Because what serves no purpose, is the continuation of the unpredictability and start-stop nature of the business environment that just puts a constraint in the economy, which is necessary for the wider health of the community, our nation as a whole,” he told Newsday.
Hardwicke, owner of the Black Rock-based Seahorse Inn, predicted the measures would create hardship.
“It is going to have an economic impact. We wish it didn’t have to happen.”
He said the economy needed to get back on a stable footing.
“We have had enough bad news from the Minister of Finance (Colm Imbert) and the economic pundits out there to confirm that we are in a tough situation.”
Hardwicke said the hospitality sector, including bars and restaurants, are large employers.
“They serve a definitive role in the social infrastructure of the society in terms of how people conduct their lives. And, it is very important for us as a nation to believe that this whole medical trauma that we have been enduring for the past 12 to 14 months has some end in sight.”
Hardwicke added: “So, the sooner that life can regain some sense of normalcy and people could get back to the old ways, the better. But it has to be done in a socially responsible manner.”
[caption id="attachment_884156" align="alignnone" width="1024"] LAST CHANCE: Beachgoers take their last opportunity to go to Mt Irvin's Beach on Wednesday before a ban announced by the Ministry of Health kicks in at midnight. - DAVID REID[/caption]
With the availability of the Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccines, Hardwicke observed many people have dropped their guard.
He said while many people wore their masks and practised social distancing, “off the beaten track it is very common to see very few people in and around towns and villages adhering to the protocols that have been stipulated.”
Hardwicke said there is a perception among many people in TT that the worst of covid19 is over.
“But we are still enduring and living through it.”
He said it is unfortunate that once again, restrictions have been placed on beaches, restaurants and bars.
“But, I trust the Government has good information to justify its actions and, hopefully, people will respect and take this as a warning that we are not through this yet and need to be sensible and community-minded until such time as the vaccines are widely available in TT and we have some degree of assurance that the population at large and indeed the most vulnerable sections of the population are adequately protected against the ravages of this terrible disease.”
THTA president Chris James described the return to anti-covid19 measures as unfortunate.
“It is going to hit businesses hard again. It’s depressing,” he said.
But he said the move is understandable given the spike in the number of cases.
“So, we just hope people adhere to the protocols and we could get out of this sometime.
“I don’t know how long this covid19 thing is going to be affecting us. It is hard to take in.”
 
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