The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

Manager at Mario’s Bowling and Family Entertainment Centre is not calling the remainder of 2020 a “wash” as they hope to reopen before the end of the year.

Leslia Brice, the company’s general manager, told Tribune Business yesterday when asked if the remainder of 2020 would be a wash for her: “It can’t be a wash, we need to open. I have staff that need to work. I’m sure we have some Bahamians that need to relieve some stress and get the kids out of the house and bowling definitely does that.

“No, this can’t be the end of the year. No, no, no, I’m hoping that as soon as government protocols say that we can open, we’re going to open.”

Ms Brice added: “Nobody (from the competent authority) is in communication with us, we’re just going by what was sent out over the weekend where it gave a list of companies and businesses that are not able to open and entertainment was listed there, so we assumed that was for us.”

Over the weekend, prime minister, Dr Hubert Minnis, announced that several sectors would be reopening as of yesterday, however cultural and entertainment facilities, including discotheques and casinos and cinemas, were to remain prohibited until further notice.

Ms Brice said that with regard to her staff, right now they are “taking advantage” of the government’s National Insurance Board extended benefits and “that’s the only way they are supporting their families, other than what Mario’s Bowling was able to do. Like last week, we gave out food packages again because they all have responsibilities in their household.

“We need everybody to follow the protocols and stay safe so our country can move on.”