The lifting of restrictions on restaurants, cinemas, casinos, gyms, and bars on Monday, allowing them to reopen as safe zones for vaccinated customers only, proved challenging for many of these businesses in Tobago, which remained closed.

According to the Ministry of Health, in a safe zone all staff members must be vaccinated. Customers are also expected to show their vaccination card to enter a safe zone and have one form of ID in their possession while on the compound of a safe zone.

Workers who can’t be vaccinated because they are pregnant, recently recovered from the virus or have any other medical reason can obtain an exemption or deferral certificate from doctors in the public health sector.

Consumption of alcohol at bars and restaurants remain prohibited.

Although there was activity at businesses for the past few days in preparation to reopen, many were still putting things in place to comply with the safe zone protocols.

At Magdalena Grand Beach and Golf Resort in Lowlands, management said the hotel will fully transition into a safe zone from November 1. Until then, the hotel will continue to operate under the existing guidelines.

At Fairways Restaurant at Club House Tobago Plantations, owner Stacia Lindsay said her restaurant has done what is required to operate as a safe zone. However, there was a trickle of customers on Monday. Despite the slow start, Lindsay is optimistic that business will pick up later this week.

Newsday also visited the food court at the Gulf City Mall in Lowlands where outlets only provided take-away service. One business owner said the mall’s management will not be providing seating arrangements for customers until all food outlets in the mall transition to safe zones.

[caption id="attachment_918509" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Vaccinated clients Odin Williams, 18, and Tyrell George, 18, work out at Kelton Thomas Foundation Gym in Canaan on Monday. - Photo by David Reid[/caption]

Another tenant said the laws aren’t clear on the way cafeterias at malls are supposed to operate if it is expected to be a safe zone. One gym owner in Canaan, who wished to stay anonymous, said he is trying to provide a safe zone for the vaccinated while also creating a separate space for non-vaccinated clients on the same compound The legality of this arrangement is likely to be challenged.

According to the health regulations, a business owner who permits an unvaccinated person without an exemption entry to the premises is liable to a fine of $25,000. Any unvaccinated person found in a safe zone and does not possess an exemption is liable to a fine of $5,000.

The popular Jade Monkey bar in Crown Point remained closed on Monday, but the casino reopened as a safe zone.

A representative from Jade Monkey could not give a date for the reopening of the liming spot citing issues involving the requirement for vaccinated staff only.

Tele Cruz, owner of Chill Out bar in Crown Point, was also closed owing to issu