…And Free Zone reopens for business amidst flu scare
There is yet no confirmation of the flu on this side of the border and some three thousand five hundred employees went back to work at the Commercial Free Zone in Corozal after a five day hiatus due to the threat of the H1N1 virus. While there were economic losses, Marion Ali found today that business was picking up and she reports from the zone.
Marion Ali, reporting
Since the re-opening today of the free zone, authorities tell News Five there have been over six hundred visitors mostly from Mexico. But while that is encouraging, the closure on May first has had a significant impact on business.
David Akierman, Chairman, Commercial Free Zone
“On the Administrative side, I would say it has affected us in the five figure digit in the last five days and I would say businesses have been affected in the six figure digit in the last five days.”
Naresh Punwani, ACE Int’l, Commercial Free Zone
“Everything back to normal. I noh see much of a difference, I mean di crowd still the come back now.”
Marion Ali
“So it’s encouraging?”
Naresh Punwani
“Yes, it’s good.
Marion Ali
“But it is the slow season anyway…”
Naresh Punwani
“Yeah, right now it’s usually good enna di summer time like July after the fifteenth of July ‘til September when the schools reopen. But right now ih still good, I mean I noh see nothing bad then, I mean everything back. We get wah good break fi five days.”
Naser Hatem, Alito Fashions, Commercial Free Zone
“Little bit coming.”
Marion Ali
“So it’s good”
Naser Hatem
“It’s good sign, you know. So we still have to see tomorrow how business will go, we hope better.”
But while there were major economic losses resulted from the five-day closure, but free zone officials say they were not willing to risk the lives and well-being of the hundreds of Belizeans who work here.
David Akierman
“But Marion here is a situation and in my opinion as long as I am chairman and President of the Free Zone, I feel when it comes to human lives I will always have that preference. Of course, the closure was not a decision made by me alone but it was an advisor that came from the Ministry of Health. When the idea came for the closure of the free zone, I embraced it because I look at those three thousand five hundred people and it trickles down to nearly ten thousand people because these people go back to their families. So we needed to make certain preventions to make sure that this infestation couldn’t– wouldn’t expand on us.”
But while businesses have suffered because of the closure, employees won’t lose out on their salaries.
David Akierman
“The overall consensus is there that they will they will respect and they will provide for their workers.”
Naresh Punwani
“And if we no sell, no payment. No, with or without, we’ll pay.”
The zone remains on alert and new and strict measures have been introduced.
David Akierman
“We have moved the health post to our gates; that in entering and in exiting. The administration has invested in these protected mask. Presently my C.E.O. is picking up a shipment.”
Marion Ali
“So everybody is wearing?”
David Akierman
“We are offering it to the private sector. We have the post and the educative part going on at both entrances right now and though we mind—the security reminds the public as to the measures we need to take. Areas which are closed up—restaurants that are closed up, the night clubs that populates at night won’t be operated. We will not hold down our guards will we continue being vigilant.”
While it’s back to business the free zone administration is keeping a close eye out for anyone with the tell-tale symptoms of Influenza A – H-one-N one as they try to maintain a balance between health and finances.
Marion Ali, News Five, from the Corozal Free Zone.
News Five could not reach the Director of Health Services, Dr. Michael Pitts to find out why the Ministry decided to re-open the free zone when there are more confirmed cases in bordering Quintana Roo, including Chetumal.
