The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

Arawak Cay vendors are remaining “patient” as they wait for a COVID-19 vaccine to reduce infection rates and enable their businesses and the wider economy to fully rebound.

Rodney Russell, the Arawak Cay Association's president, told Tribune Business it was still “quiet” at the Fish Fry destination because high unemployment and reduced incomes as a result of the pandemic have left Bahamians with little money to spend.

"You have to take time out on the non-essentials; this is not an essential," he added "Arawak Cay is more for pleasure. You come to enjoy a conch salad or a nice crack conch, so it isn't essential. We have about ten establishments that are closed at the moment. We have about 30 stalls, so that is roughly one-third of the stalls that are closed at the moment.”

Mr Russell said he was still not satisfied with the Western Gate at Arawak Cay being closed during operating hours, adding: “The gate on the Western side of Arawak Cay is always closed. We continue to speak to the authorities about it, but somehow they have a hidden agenda.

"The Government never made an announcement on why they cut off the Western Esplanade, but we have our current dilemma where our Western gate is always closed and they continue to give us some excuse why it is always closed and we are going to address that sooner or later.

“The patrons that want to come into Arawak Cay are being impeded. It always seems as if Bahamians always have to struggle against the powers that be. Because if you remember, earlier this year, even the pop-up boys on Mackey Street, even the police closed them down even after finding out they did not have the prerequisites to operate.”

Acknowledging that the eastern gate by the Western Esplanade has been closed since last year, too, Mr Russell said he was “looking forward to next year" as the time when Bahamians and visitors will return to Arawak Cay in greater numbers.