With Jamaica seeing an explosion of COVID-19 infection cases over the last week, the Government has taken the decision to impose new curfew hours (from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. until February 24), a move that has not gone down well with retailers and restaurant owners.

Larry Watson, CEO of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC), says the retailers and restaurant owners are bemoaning that the new hours will impact their business operations with every hour lost spelling a 10 per cent drop-off in sales. It may also lead to some staff being let go.

Watson believes that the Government should take a more consultative approach, bringing the private sector into the decision-making process.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness explained the rationale behind the decision to impose the stricter curfew and he is clearly putting the welfare of Jamaicans ahead of commercial imperatives.

Speaking in Parliament, Holness said: “The curfew has proven to be the most effective measure but it is the most expensive measure because of the impact it has on the economy and on businesses.

“But the curfew certainly helps to filter non-productive activities but it does have an impact on those activities, productive activities that come outside of curfew hours. So factories that operate on double shift, the quick service industry, fast-food restaurants – it does have a significant impact.

“The Jamaican economy is about 70 per cent services. We are heavily reliant on services so any measure that reduces their operation will have a greater weight on the reduction of our growth and GDP.”

The prime minister is cognizant of what the curfew will do to businesses in the forementioned sectors and stressed the decision was taken to safeguard the health care system and prevent further spread of the virus. Last year it proved effective and led to infection numbers coming down. It is when measures are lax and there is little compliance with social distancing protocols that cases spike.

“It is not the objective of the government to kill commerce. We do this very reluctantly but having great regard for the fact that if we don’t act now, we could overwhelm our health system which leads to even greater problems. So I am asking for the understanding from our friends in commerce and for the population in general to abide by the curfew hours,” pleaded Holness.

While many business operators understand the need to prevent the spread of the virus, there are those who believe the government should be doing more to curb the rampant disregard of protocols.

Chairman of Island Grill Howard Mitchell, Chairman of Wisynco Group William Mahfood and Vice Chairman of Restaurants of Jamaica Mark Myers hold the view that the government should be doing a better job with enforcement, have an effective ticketing system in place and allow for delivery of food and services after curfew hours.

Watson, of the JCC, says greater emphasis needs to be placed on communicating and marketing the message that preventative measures must be taken by everyone. He recommends that this should be done in language that everyone understands and that simply buying ad spots in the newspapers and on radio and television may not be the most effective way to reach people.

Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton welcomes the input of the private sector and regards them as valuable stakeholders as the Government looks to balance lives with livelihoods.

He makes the searing point that, in order to have a livelihood, you first must have a life.

“In terms of the restrictions, the most effective way to minimise the spread of COVID-19 we have found is to restrict movement. The disease profile is one where movement is causing the spread. Of all the tools in our tool kit, the restriction of movement and, by extension the use of curfews, have worked particularly in St Catherine and Westmoreland. We are not closing the economy. We need to deal with the public health issue because of the high levels of positivity in the population,” said the health minister.