Spanish Town Mayor, Norman Scott, is raising concerns that key stakeholders weren’t given sufficient notice, before the government ordered a lock-down of St Catherine last evening.
The lock-down, which took effect at 5 this morning, is in response to a major spike in positive COVID-19 tests at a call centre in Portmore in the parish.
It was revealed last evening that 31 Alorica call centre employees tested positive for the coronavirus.
Mayor Scott says by the time the news hit, people were scampering to make last minute preparations including buying food items.
Norman Scott, Mayor of Spanish Town, speaking today on Every Woman with Patria-Kaye Charles.
Deputy Mayor of Portmore, Alric Campbell, is expressing similar concerns.
He’s also raising concerns about the enforcement of the order.
The Deputy Mayor says a misunderstanding about the status of the curfew order that was already in place, also contributed to the chaos that ensued last evening.
Impact of the lockdown on businesses
In the meantime, President of the Sunshine City Chamber of Commerce, in Portmore, St Catherine, Norman Walker, says his members have taken a significant hit since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in Jamaica.
He says at the Portmore Mall alone, 30 stores of over 180 have been closed for about two weeks.
With the lock-down on St Catherine, virtually all business have ceased.
Mr Walker is also making this plea on behalf of his members.
Norman Walker, President of the Sunshine City Chamber of Commerce, in Portmore, St Catherine, speaking with Nationwide News today.
