Bar operators welcome longer opening hours

Bar operators across western Jamaica have welcomed the new closing hours for their establishments, which was announced by Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Desmond McKenzie.

Community bars, which would normally close at 7 p.m. under the Disaster Risk Management Act, will be allowed to operate until 9 p.m.

Opening hours have also been extended to midnight on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve as the nightly curfew will not start until 1 a.m. the following days.

Cherry, a Montego Bay, St James, bar operator, said that the adjustment in the time is welcome news for her.

"A three children I have, two boys and a girl, and a my bar send them a school over the past years," said Cherry.

"Wi know seh COVID-19 inna di place, and we all see wha the Government a try fi do, but I believe that is full time dem free up the bar people dem yah now. At least the Government a look out fi wi inna the holiday."

Community bars were subjected to varying types of restrictions earlier in the pandemic. After being closed as part of measures employed to slow the spread of COVID-19, bars and taverns were allowed to reopen last year but under strict guidelines.

Nancy, who operates a bar in Westmoreland, said that having endured tremendous hardships during the time bars were shuttered, she is happy for the extended hours.

"Nobody nuh glad like a mi. Mi a run my bar a Little London fi about 10 years yah now, and since COVID come een, mi doubt mi get fi open one week straight," the woman stated.

"Things get even worse after the corona bruck out inna Westmoreland and no weh cudden get fi open. But things kinda get betta yah now and mi glad fi hear seh the Government a gi wi little more time fi mek a money," Nancy said.

Meanwhile, Minister McKenzie made it clear that while the Government was giving more time to bar operators, there is still a ban on parties and nightclubs.

"Any parties that take place and any nightclubs that are open, while engaging in music and dancing, are doing so in contravention of the Disaster Risk Management Act," he said.