The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

The Chamber of Commerce's chairman yesterday warned the retail and restaurant industries will be among those hit hardest by enhanced COVID-19 restrictions that may prove counter-productive.

Khrystle Rutherford-Ferguson, in a statement to Tribune Business, said she feared that measures unveiled by the Prime Minister for New Providence and Abaco may have "the unintended consequences" of aiding COVID-19's spread by causing "overcrowding" at food stores due to reduced opening hours.

Acknowledging that the Government had elected not to impose a full lockdown, and that it tried to balance economic concerns with the rising COVID-19 infection rate, Mrs Rutherford-Ferguson said numerous retailers were unable to offer curb-side services due to the nature of the products they sold.

And the weekend lockdowns unveiled by Dr Hubert Minnis, together with the earlier curfew start time of 7pm, meant restaurants will lose what is traditionally their busiest sales period due to the tightened restrictions.

"The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation notes that another lockdown was not announced," Mrs Rutherford-Ferguson said. "We also note that there were steps taken to balance the immediate health concerns with the economic concerns.

"However, the effect of the curfew changes will present some challenges for the business community. We are concerned that the announced restrictions may result in the unintended consequences of overcrowding at businesses, which may lead to virus spread.”

Food stores are the only retail operation where customers will be allowed in-store on New Providence and Abaco with effect from Tuesday next week. All other retail formats will be restricted to curb-side services on all week-days, from 9am to 5pm, with Dr Minnis opting for full 24-hour weekend lockdowns and curfews when only essential services will be allowed to operate.

Mrs Rutherford-Ferguson said: “Retail businesses will be impacted as there are practical issues regarding limiting its commercial activity to curbside pick-up only without including appointments. We also acknowledge that many of our members are not able to offer delivery and curbside pick-up due to the nature of the goods and services they offer.

"Furthermore, having restaurants revert to take-out, curbside pick-up and delivery only, in addition to prohibiting indoor and outdoor dining, means that their revenues will be negatively impacted. They will be further impacted by the fact that the new curfews will restrict them from providing services on the weekend and week day dinner service, which tends to be the most lucrative [time] for restaurants.

“Ultimately, prohibiting commercial activity on weekends, in general, will impact revenues, and may lead to long lines during the week," the Chamber chair added.

"We join in and underscore the message regarding the importance of enforcement, education, wearing of masks, washing hands frequently and social distancing, with a recognition that vigilance is key. There is no doubt that we all have an individual and collective responsibility, which calls for a community effort, discipline and determination.”

“The Chamber awaits the release of the Emergency Order that will codify the announcements made by the Prime Minister, and will provide further clarity on the restrictions, together with the goals regarding targets and timelines that will be set by the health professionals. Empirical data is what leads to predictability, and is a banner point for the business community in establishing and co-ordinating its commercial plans.”

“The steps taken today must be taken with the full knowledge that mitigating the spread of the virus, with the least amount of restrictions to commercial activity for the shortest period of time, is in the best interest of all. The Chamber remains committed to working with businesses and the Government to see how quickly the restrictions can be removed.”