There’s major disquiet this evening among vendors in the Pearnel Charles Arcade.
They say the Christmas season, which is generally seen as one of their peak periods, means nothing as the restrictions imposed are making it difficult for them to survive.
As the festive season continues, vendors in downtown Kingston say they’re struggling with the tight operating hours mandated by the government.
The vendors say they’re frustrated with how the authorities are handling the COVID-19 situation.
They say despite the removal of the Sunday lockdown, the arcade is still not permitted to operate.
They complain they’re not being prioritized. Some vendors say they’re barely able to make ends meet. They say they’ve even had to lower the prices for items to gain quicker sales, so they’ll be able to pay weekly stall fees.
Kingston Mayor, Delroy Williams says although he would like to grant vendors more time to operate and earn, he has a responsibility to protect Kingston’s citizens against COVID-19.
He says the government has made an effort by extending the hours on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
