As crab vendors who have been trained and certified prepare to return to Crab Circle on November 23, the now infamous Alice Waugh will not be among them.

Mayor of Kingston Delroy Williams made the disclosure on Thursday, November 16, through a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, while responding to an article published by a local media house that highlighted Waugh’s intention to return to Crab Circle when it opens in another week.

“We wish Ms. Waugh the best in her other endeavours but she will not be permitted to return to Crab Circle as a vendor, preparing food for the public given several public health concerns. The council has also been looking at other areas across the city to further improve and regulate. Whatever the intent of this news item, and Miss Waugh… The fact remains, She is NOT being reinstated. The stall she previously occupied will be reassigned,” the mayor said.

Williams noted that the vendors returning to Crab Circle have completed the necessary training and certification with the HEART/NSTA Trust and have done the necessary food handlers training.

He added that any attempt to facilitate or have Waugh, or any other untrained and uncertified vendor at Crab Circle, will result in the municipality shutting down all operations at the location.

The Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation, in partnership with HEART/NSTA Trust, engaged the crab vendors in a training programme which exposed them to best practices in food handling and preparation.

“Provisions have been made for the vendors who will be returning to include cutting boards, aprons, and other equipment. The haphazard manner in which they operated before has been put to rest. I have given clear instructions to the municipal police regarding the enforcement of standards at Crab Circle. That is how strongly I feel about it. I can assure you I WILL be there for the reopening on Nov 23,” he added.

In addition to training and equipping vendors with the necessary tools to return to Crab Circle, bathrooms were also constructed.

The infamous Waugh, came into public glare after a viral video surfaced on social media showing the crab vendor carrying out an unhygienic act in a stall at the location.

The Kingston and St Andrew (KSA) Health Department has since ordered the vendors to cease operation, attributing the closure to non-compliance with public health regulations.