Restaurants struggling to enforce COVID-19 protocols

Some restaurant-goers are concerned that the surge in people going out during the new curfew hours will lead to an increase in COVID-19 cases.

Shakeyna Myers, who went to Janga’s Soundbar and Grill on Friday, said the restaurants attempted to adhere to COVID-19 regulations for capacity and social distancing but it was difficult to control behaviour inside the restaurants because of the large number of patrons. “What they tried to do was to limit the number of people that were coming in, but but it didn’t work”. She reported that they sanitised at the gate but even though masks were required for entry, patrons removed their masks immediately upon entering the location”, said Myers. However, she added, patrons were not told to wear masks when moving from their tables. “Wearing of masks neva make any sense,” said Myers, “as while dining, patrons had to remove their masks”. Myers observed that “To be honest, I don’t feel COVID safe. I definitely think COVID cases will go up this summer because not everybody is vaccinated and not everyone is following the protocols”.

Lorrian Miller also shared a similar experience while at Gloria’s Seafood City. She said neither the staff nor patrons wore masks.

Everton Baker, director of environmental health at the Ministry of Health, said there was a structure under which food establishments were monitored. The framework was set based on the legal provisions surrounding the pandemic. Baker noted that some restaurants had been prevented from having patrons seated, but this is not the case for all restaurants. “We set the framework with respect to the monitoring, but we are not working that time of the night,” said Baker. However, Baker noted that there were special circumstances under which representatives from the ministry carried out inspections, such as special events, but the inspections were not routine.

Baker said the operators knew the rules and the individuals in charge of restaurants had to do their part as well. “If they are found in an audit, whether night or day, the full brunt of the law will reach these persons,” stressed Baker. He noted that if people continued to strictly maintain the principles of social distancing, handwashing and wearing of masks, then we should maintain a low transmission risk.

Even though some individuals are concerned about COVID-19 safety, there are some who have had safe experiences at food establishments.

Sherrica Thompson, who went to Pier 1, in Montego Bay, said the seating was well spaced and COVID-19 rules were enforced. She noted that the wearing of masks was enforced whenever patrons left their tables. Similarly, Danielle Clayton said she also experienced appropriately spaced seating when attending a food establishment at Port Royal.