The Vincentian Transportation Organisation (VINTAS) is questioning the government’s decision to allow more people to attend churches even as it continues to limit ridership in omnibuses to half of the licensed amount.
“I have no objection to the churches lobbying for more capacity. But here is what I would say. For a non-revenue generating sector to be considered favourably for increase in capacity, I see no reason why a critical sector like the minibuses should not be granted an increase in capacity,” VINTAS president Royron Adams told iWitness News on Monday.
He was speaking as omnibuses, for the second time in as many weeks, withdrew their service over the impact of the government’s COVID-19 protocols on their businesses.
“And we are hoping that they respond favourably. We are asking them to increase to 12, minimum. Ideally, we would like to have 14 but we are asking for a minimum of 12,” Adams said.
Beginning Feb. 27, places of worship in St. Vincent and the Grenadines were allowed to increase the size of indoor gathering to one-third of their usual capacity.
The government made the change even as it kept in place the rule limiting all other indoor gatherings to 10 persons. The changes will be in place until March 27, when they will be reviewed
It is so sad. Churches can reach most of their members online so for them to be extended this courtesy is questionable. I doubt it is divine favour as they like to say.
The buses should be allowed to go full capacity because the travelling public is affected. Just sanitize and wear masks. There can never be proper social distancing in a bus so don’t even try.
This all goes to show the kind of PM you are dealing with but he will pay dearly for all his actions one of these days. All who aid and abet him will also pay.
How is the government treating churches favourably when limiting their numbers to 1/3 their capacity when van are allowed to carry 1/2 of their licensed number? A basic understanding of fractions would lead one to conclude just the opposite -vans are still being treated more favourably than churches. With all due respect, Mr. Royron Adams is not helping his case at all by making statements like this.