‘Nutten nah gwaan’ - No customers heading to Port Royal

The once-lively Port Royal is a shadow of its former self and was eerily quiet when THE WEEKEND STAR visited the historical community earlier this week.

There were no tourists and locals gathered outside the Giddy House, and no seafood aroma was coming from the very popular Gloria's Seafood Restaurant.

A few persons were observed sitting in small groups in their yards as a means of protecting themselves from the COVID-19 pandemic, but none dared to venture into the streets.

Among them was Marion Bignall, who operates a small cookshop close to her home. It was little after noon, which would be considered peak hours.

But Bignall had already closed her doors, stating that sales are extremely slow, which leads her to contemplate a temporary shutdown.

NO CUSTOMERS

"Is three years I have been doing this business, and is the first time I am thinking about closing it. I don't think I will be open for another week because nutten nah gwaan. Normally, I would be kept busy during the day, even selling to the seamen. But they are hardly here anymore because they are not making any money, either. There is no one to sell to, because persons are using the little money that they have to stock up on groceries for their homes, and I can't blame them," she said.

Shopkeeper Odean Brown told the news team that although there are no confirmed cases in Port Royal, the area, which usually attracts a host of outsiders, has not seen any visitors in weeks.

"We likkle hustling lock off. Normally, you would see people gather up at the Giddy House and everybody could make a likkle ting, whether by giving small tours or just selling a few fish or so, or make a likkle change at dem shop or bar, but that can't happen. The big artiste dem used to pass through and make music videos, too. I won't lie, I am still grateful for the hours that they are giving us still," he said.

"This is a city that never sleeps. We usually open 24 hours. I don't know if I can manage this for another three months because I am going to run out of resources. Right now is three fridge I use to run my shop, but I am going to have to cut back because I have to pay JPS and other bills. But things slow bad, now, so I can't imagine what will happen in the coming weeks. No outsiders not coming in, and that is what we depend on," he added.

Up to Thursday, Jamaica had recorded 143 coronavirus cases.