Weekend lockdown not affecting market vendors

Three successive weekends of lockdowns to stem the spread of the coronavirus might have had the desired effect, at least to some extent, but for some business persons, the lockdown also mean a slowdown in business. But that's not the case for Port Maria Market vendor Audrey Lawson, of Bailey's Vale in St Mary.

For Lawson, the lockdown meant an escalation in sales as persons rushed to stock up for the weekend.

"It (lockdown) don't really affect me in any way. I make more money when the lockdown going on because the people them come out. Although they come out in [a] rush, you still make some money; you make more money when the lockdown go on than the regular time," Lawson told THE STAR.

Jamaica endured three successive weekends of lockdown between March 26 and April 12 after the Government implemented stiffer measures to slow the spread of COVID-19. The weekend lockdowns have since been lifted, but earlier curfews have been implemented for Saturdays 4 p.m. and Sundays 2 p.m.

Lawson, who recently moved from selling on the street to vending her goods in the newly opened facility, built at a cost of around $66 million, said the reduced lockdown period has hardly affected her sales.

"I will still make some money. God wi mek mi mek some more money," she said.

She indicated that moving from selling on the street to the market offers similar benefits.

"Business is good so far, some days are good and some days are bad, but I'm not complaining. I give God thanks for each and every day," said an appreciative Lawson.

Another vendor at the Port Maria Market, Ermine Reddy, said she has been a vendor for over 15 years. She hails from Hunt's Town, a community located about eight miles from the parish capital, and journeys to Coronation Market to buy foodstuff to sell. She said the lockdown hasn't affected her business.

"Well, it (lockdown) don't affect me. The people them come out and shop early and go back home early, so it doesn't affect me," Reddy said.

"It's better for me; more rest," she pointed out.