Virus has vendors worried

In light on the fast-spreading coronavirus, Jamaica has enforced a travel ban to and from China. While understanding the safety precaution the country is taking, many clothes vendors are expecting a low point in their business operations.

Howy, who has been selling in downtown Kingston for more than a decade, sources his goods from China.

"Me go China all two time fi di year go buy goods. If this continue fi gwane indefinitely, den me nuh know wah a guh happen. Me nuh know wah kinda source me affi go head to," said Howy.

He said that the prices at which goods are sold in the world's most populated country are very reasonable.

"A deh suh we affi go cause if we fi get the real things dem fi sell, di people dem nah go have the money fi buy dem. A China di ting dem deh fi dem. A so it go."

Similarly, Damian, who sells at South Parade, had plans to visit China very soon to buy goods.

"Right now, me did a plan fi go inna March fi go get the summer thing dem. A suh me dweet ... start get the summer ting dem early! Right now, it nuh look like dat a guh gwan cause me nuh inna the virus thing. We understand seh we caah go because a the health thing ... but dat nuh stop me from seeing seh it a guh tek a toll pon the hustling.

"Coronavirus a go mash up business. It look like dis yah summer yah a go cold," he said in a disappointed tone.

"China me get everything from ... barrel-load a tings me come dung wid from China when me go up. Chinese a di best people fi deal wid."

Sharon, another vendor, says she doesn't travel to China, but ultimately, that's the source of her goods. That is why she is worried about the impact of the coronavirus.

"Dah virus deh weh a go round a China, it a guh slow up business cause nothing nah go get fi go back and forth. There is no other option fi get goods. Wid di Chiney tings dem, it more reasonable!" she exclaimed.