HEALTH OFFICIALS TO CHECK AGAIN IF BREACHES MENDED
PT ANTONIO, Portland, Oct. 12, 2024
The Portland Jerk Centre closed for more than a month over health and sanitation issues could be reopened soon.
Health Department officials are to visit the popular eatery and attraction Monday, October 14, for another assessment on compliance by the vendors, the North Coast Times has learnt.
Vendors protested Friday morning after learning that the Portland Health Department had not given the all-clear for the resumption of business there.
On Thursday, October 10, the monthly meeting of the Portland Municipal Corporation (PMC) was told that only some of the conditions for health and safety measures at the Boston Jerk Centre had been met. Hence, the shops closed on September 6 and after could not be reopened.
At the meeting, the medical officer of health (MOH) and the chief environmental health officer spoke about some of the breaches needing to be taken care of and a raft of measures necessary for the reopening.
(This placard carried the sentiment of many vendors)
PROTEST
Vendors blocked Boston Square early Friday morning, October 11, disrupting the movement of traffic but the quick action of the police and compliance of the vendors allowed safe passage to motorists and pedestrians along the main road.
The vendors said they had been following the orders of the Health Department and still, they could not get their business going.
(Police engage vendors reminding them of the law)
One vendor, JJ also called Seafood King said “They (public health inspectors) give me some work to do I do the work and all now no inspector no pass the work.” He said he was hearing about vendors having to go to classes and he was not in favour of that.
William Gallimore another vendor said: “I have done all that was required — fix the slaughter house, the drain pipes painted and the various repairs requested and still not allowed to open.”
The councillor for the area Athlee Cleary (JLP ) said he was willing to do what was necessary to bring the Health Department and vendors together.
(Portland MOH Dr Sharon Lewis)
Portland Medical Officer for Health Dr Sharon Lewis told the Council: “Over the year there have been several issues at Boston Jerk Centre and there have been several interventions which include frequent monitoring and provision for recommendations for improvement, training, serving of statuary notices, prosecution and closures. Improvement was noticed after but they were short-lived.”
She said further: “The breaches, lack of food handler’s permit for some vendors, unequipped or malfunctioning hand washing stations at some stalls, food contact surfaces unsuitable for food preparation, improper food handling practices, inadequate food protection where preparation and or storage with defect of some storage containers; solid waste disposal and management issues and unclean surroundings. Several other breaches were also observed.”
In the latest inspection on October 3, many of the breaches were still un-remedied. She said roughly 47 to 70% of the breaches persisted at the jerk stalls hence they remained closed”
However, reports to the North Coast Times are that the PMC, including health teams, have been assisting to get the vendors compliant. Another visit is planned for Monday, October 14.
Vendors are very concerned that if the shops are forced to stay closed they will miss the sales that normally come around Heroes Day, October 21 and Heroes Weekend, before it.
Watch and listen to the Councillor offering to help :
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