Jamaican restaurant chain lsland Grill boss Thalia Lyn is calling for the Government to reconsider its recent decision to impose an 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew until February 24.

With COVID-19 infections escalating in the country, averaging over 250 cases a day for the past week, the Jamaican Government felt compelled last week to stem the alarming rate by further curtailing the movement of individuals.

The implementation of tight curfews, the Government argues, has yielded the best results in combating the deadly virus.

However Lyn says that, for every hour lost, sales are down by 10 per cent and that Island Grill has been hit particularly hard. She makes the point that the curfew takes place at dinner time, which is å key period for sales and that, given what has befallen the country over the last year, many people are reliant on take-out meals.

Island Grill employs around 800 people, mainly single mothers, who Lyn says will be severely impacted by this latest move to curtail the spread of COVID-19. To place this matter further into context, Lyn, who is also chairman of the NCB Foundation, said she may very well have to put in place a four-day work week as the business continues to suffer major falls in sales.

Lyn also would like the Government to take a more consultative approach with the private sector before imposing restrictions. She believes the damage to the economy can be mitigated by insisting people wear masks and that social distancing protocols are rigidly adhered to.

One of Jamaica’s most prominent philanthropists, Lyn has seen to it that many of her workers get tablets for their children as Jamaica’s education system embraces a more digital approach to learning during this time of COVID.

Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton has listened to the protestations of the private sector and understands their predicament but stresses that “you must have a life in order to have a livelihood”. In other words, the welfare of Jamaicans must come first at this time before commercial considerations.

Speaking in Parliament last week, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said: “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.”