Super Value bracing for heavy customer traffic and long lines, again

Super Value bracing for heavy customer traffic and long lines, again
Super Value, Baillou Hill Road.

Roberts intends to request special consideration to restock shelves on Saturday and Sunday

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Super Value’s owner Rupert Roberts said yesterday he was bracing for a massive influx of customers over the next two days, with recently announced restrictions for Abaco and New Providence prohibiting food stores from opening over the holiday weekend.

Roberts told Eyewitness News: “It’s going to be hard on us. We’re expecting the lines. We have to make sure our cashiers are alright, [to] keep them nourished and keep them going.

We’re going to have to open earlier because of the time we lose on the back end. This will be a very busy week. The following weekends should go smoother, however.”

Roberts said that increased shopping activity started Tuesday night, ahead of Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ announcement in Parliament yesterday on new restrictions for Abaco and New Providence.

Minnis announced that New Providence and Abaco will see a return of increased restrictions, including a “full, 24-hour weekend curfew” over the upcoming holiday weekend and beyond, and a return of a nightly curfew beginning next week Tuesday.

The full, 24-hour weekend curfew will begin on Friday at 7pm and end on Tuesday at 5am.

The nightly curfew on Mondays through Fridays will be in effect between 7pm and 5am beginning next week Tuesday, October 13.

Minnis said only certain essential services will be permitted during the full weekend curfew.

These include the uniformed branches, customs and immigration, public health services, sanitation services, essential utility services, and the operation of sea ports and airports.

Unlike previous lockdowns, food stores, pharmacies, gas stations, construction sites and laundromats will be closed during the full weekend curfew.

Roberts told Eyewitness News, “I think we are going to the Competent Authority to be allowed to restock on Saturday and Sunday otherwise, with sales on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, people will meet empty stores on Tuesday.

“They granted it the last time and I think they will do it again.”