COMMUNITY FOCUS: Businesses suffer in Mt. Salem

Members of the business community of Mt Salem in St James say they are suffering under the lockdown caused by both the zone of special operations (ZOSO) and the state of emergency.

"Under ZOSO, we are ordered to close at 9 p.m., but for many of us, that was close to our regular locking-up time anyway. But with the state of emergency, things get very tight for us because we have to be closed at the stroke of 8 p.m.," said Douglas Bennett, who operates a meat mart.

"We under two things at the same time, and there is nobody to actually look at us and say, 'Lets have little leniency on the business community'," he added.

Bennett told the WESTERN STAR that business operators risk prosecution if they continue to operate beyond the closing hours set for them.

"Them patrol every minute, and if is a minute past 8 p.m. and them come and see you open, them a promise you a $250,000 fine. So it has become so tense, and it feels like we in a jail as business persons," said Bennett.

The business operators stated that it is becoming increasingly difficult to cover business expenses such as paying staff and utility bills.

Karen Lawson, who operates a bar, said there is little business in the daytime, but at nights, when customers come out to drink, they have to leave quickly.

"Everything did alright with ZOSO, but since the state of emergency, we can't make no money," said Lawson.

"If they pass and see a gathering, they stop. They don't want to see no gathering. I have to pay staff, but I can't make no money. If we can go until 12 midnight, we would appreciate it," Lawson said.

Mt Salem was declared the first ZOSO last September as part of a move to reduce the high levels of crime in the parish. A state of emergency has since been declared in St James.