The Tribune

A New Providence-based entertainment destination yesterday urged the newly-elected Davis administration to rapidly bring the COVID emergency orders to an end so it can meet pent-up consumer demand.

Ivan Francis, owner/operator of Skate City 242, told Tribune Business he is currently painting his establishment and making minor repairs in the hope that the new government will lift the emergency orders left by the Minnis administration before they come to an end in mid-November.

Skate City is one of many entertainment businesses that have been hit by a year-plus closure due to COVID-19 restrictions. Many have been left on the brink of financial collapse as a result although cinemas have re-opened under strict guidelines limiting audience sizes to a maximum 30 percent of full capacity.

“The timing is right, and how the new government is saying that they will discard all of those emergency orders, I have started to paint up the place. The minute the emergency orders are over I will go back to work,” said Mr Francis.

Skate City is currently open to only private, select guests and not the public. Mr Francis has also been renting the facility out for small family gatherings on an hourly basis.

“People have been calling me to open the place back up,” Mr Francis added. “There is nothing else here happening other than my making repairs to my place. We are just waiting for them to open the country back up fully so we can begin advertising again. I’m waiting, so they need to hurry up and open up the country, and let’s find a way to live with this thing.”