Senior Reporter
kay-marie.fletcher@guardian.co.tt
Although Carnival is taking place amid a state of emergency (SoE), businesses and visitors say they haven’t been negatively affected.
Steve Samaroo, managing director of Samaroo’s, a well-known Carnival supplies store located in San Juan, said the SoE hadn’t affected sales. He said the importation of costumes has had the greatest impact on his business.
“The impact we’ve had is the importation of ready-made costumes, which is affecting our sales significantly and I am asking the Government to make all Carnival supplies duty-free; and increase the taxes and tariffs on imported costumes. If this continues, you’re not going to see Samaroo’s anymore,” he said.
His plea came two days after Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley emphasised that costumes should be locally sourced.
But businesses aside, visitors to Carnival said the SoE isn’t stopping their fun this year.
London resident Che Clarke, 26, said he feels safe because high crime isn’t unique to T&T.
“I only landed yesterday, went to a fete last night, it was really good. I’ve seen the police presence definitely so it’s obviously making a difference but I’m from London so it’s not like crime is not where I’m from too, so it’s all good.
“I feel safe, definitely. It’s so lovely. Everyone is in good high spirits because it’s Carnival time. I walk the road downtown and I’m loving it. I’m enjoying it.”
Cyre Alleyne, a T&T national living in Maryland, said she feels safer here than in the United States.
“We feel safer at home because it doesn’t really match up because we have so much crime happening in the States everywhere and we have a lot going on in our government right now with the election of the new president and everything that happens all the time, so coming home to Trinidad doesn’t feel unsafe at all. It feels like a homecoming, and it feels comforting.”
Alleyne’s husband, Johnaton, who is experiencing T&T Carnival for the first time said he feels safe because they’re taking the necessary precautions.
“Like any other country when you travel abroad, you have to use common sense, be safe where you’re going, but ultimately if you’re following the right path, you’re sticking with the right people then everything should be okay,” he said.