Holiday weekend curfew hours detrimental to small business sector - SBAJ

The small business community is expressing concern and frustration over the revised curfew hours announced for the Heroes weekend.

Hugh Johnson, President of the Small Business Association of Jamaica, has taken issue with the 3 pm curfew, arguing that businesses which are now barely surviving could finally go over the edge.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Tuesday announced the increased curfew hours aimed at minimising the spread of the coronavirus.

The Heroes weekend curfew will be from 3:00 pm to 8:00 am on Sunday, October 18 and Monday October 19. Thereafter the curfew will move to 9:00 pm to 5:00 am until November 1.

Mr Johnson argues that many small businesses are on the brink of collapse and the Heroes weekend could have provided a lifeline.

He believes the focus should be on enforcing the limited gathering of persons rather than restricting the time allowed for businesses to operate.