NEED FOR MORE COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY- ESPECIALLY IN RESTAURANT SECTOR

Although the number of new COVID-19 infections continues to fluctuate, the Cabinet has decided to return the curfew to the 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. timeline.
 
These were the curfew hours implemented in 2020, after the country returned to some level of normalcy following a partial lockdown. However, the hours were reduced earlier this year as cases began to increase and the death toll climbed.  
 
The Cabinet decision – made at its weekly meeting yesterday, April 14 – goes into effect today, Thursday, April 15.
 
This week’s Notes indicate that the change comes “exactly one month after the curfew hours were reduced to 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. on March 15.”
 
Nicholas says that easing the curfew restrictions is meant to facilitate additional commercial activity, particularly in the restaurant sector and in some of the self-employment trades.
 
He says the Government has become increasingly concerned about the economic impact the curfew is having on these businesses.

However, regarding the number of patrons they can serve at a time, restaurants must comply with the limits previously approved by Health officials, Nicholas says.