CENTRAL AMERICA & CARIBBEAN

On May 12, Trinidad and Tobago presented a six-phase economic revival plan to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 crisis, to be progressively implemented in the coming weeks. In Jamaica, the Executive Branch said that bars may reopen as of May 19, while the Bahamian government has published a decree authorizing delivery and curbside pick-up services. 

Trinidad and Tobago  

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago published a guide for economic reopening in the context of the COVID-19 health crisis, which explains the six-phased plan designed to progressively reactivate the economy. The Executive branch has, however, said by way of a caveat that the dates established for the beginning of each phase could either be brought forward or postponed depending on the state of the health situation.

In the first phase, currently in force, restaurants are allowed to sell food in either take-away or home delivery mode. The second phase, scheduled to start on May 24, would allow the entire manufacturing sector to reopen, while in the third phase, scheduled as from June 7, the public sector will be allowed to resume full operations. Phase four involves reopening shopping centers, all types of retail outlets and beaches. Phase five involves allowing cinemas to return to operations, and phase six envisages reopening national borders.

Jamaica

Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced that the curfew will be extended through May 31, explaining that bars will be allowed to open between 11 am and 8 pm as from May 19 onwards for a two-week trial period. However, the rules only allow five people to be inside the bar at the same time, including the bartender, and there will only be seats outside. “We appeal to all bar owners to comply with the measures, because if there is an increase in the number of cases, we will not extend the two-week trial period,” explained Holness.

Bahamas

The Executive has presented a series of regulations formalizing the authorization of delivery and curbside pick-up services, measures announced earlier which however do not allow alcohol to be sold in this fashion. At the moment, the alcoholic drinks industry is not allowed to operate in any form under these regulations. The latest measures are already in force.