Although the authorities have not closed down El Pecos on the Grill Limited and El Pecos on the Go Market, the Health Authority has requested that the owners obtain further requirements from them within 14 days before the business is reopened.
In a media release on Saturday, El Pecos said that they have fully co-operated with the authorities who have visited the premises twice and assured the public that soon the popular restaurant and marketplace will be reopened.
“The authorities have not closed us down. The Health Authority has requested that we obtain further requirements from them within 14 days. To demonstrate our commitment to continue working with the authorities toward a COVID-free T&T, we have chosen to close our marketplace operations until we understand what further requirements are now needed by the Health Authority. We are confident that all the relevant authorities will act in a manner that is fair and does not discriminate against El Pecos,” the establishment said.
On Saturday, when Guardian Media visited the establishment it was closed. Around lunchtime several disappointed customers arrived and then left exclaiming that they hoped the restaurant would re-open soon.
Police visited El Pecos on the Go Market on Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook, on Friday afternoon after a long line of people was seen outside the establishment. The police, in a media release, denied closing down the establishment.
Citizen Union head Phillip Alexander who spoke to the media along with El Pecos' co-founder Suzanne Camacho on Friday gave the opinion that too many people responded to the reopening given the popularity of the brand.
Camacho said they have followed all guidelines and "what is good for one, should be good for all."
Alexander said if Kam Wah at Royal Palm Plaza, Maraval, which was previously a Chinese restaurant could be converted into a marketplace, why can't El Pecos do the same.
El Pecos, originally a restaurant, was converted into a grocery last week and is now selling supermarket products as well as pre-packaged meals. This comes as many restaurants and other establishments which sell lunches are facing financial difficulties after being closed and reopened several times since the pandemic hit.
“El Pecos on the Grill Limited and El Pecos on the Go Market Limited, fully support all efforts to flatten the COVID-19 curve and keep the people of T&T safe. We have complied fully with all regulations in place from the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic,” the media release said.
In the media release, El Pecos further stated that there has been a lot of social media attention on the opening of El Pecos on the Go Market and said the owners have consulted with and had the benefit of legal advice and based on that advice they noted that:
1. The law clearly permits the operation of supermarkets, groceries, markets, greengrocers, bakeries provided that not more than 50 per cent of the establishments ordinary retail capacity is surpassed at any time during operation hours
2. They opened their doors as a marketplace in full compliance with the law, all the COVID-19 regulations, and observing all protocols to keep our staff and customers safe
3. The fact that several other institutions such as gas stations, pharmacies, supermarkets, well-known food retailers and marketplaces have been allowed to continue selling pre-packaged to-go meals
4. They incorporated a separate company for El Pecos on the Go Market Limited for the marketplace business to comply with the COVID-19 Legal Notice regulations
5. They have reconfigured to establish a marketplace in compliance with sanitation protocols that are in use in other institutions that have been permitted to remain open and sell pre-packaged food
6. El Pecos on the Grill was one of the earliest companies that gave customers the convenience of selecting their food and paying by the pound. The company recognises that customer demands have evolved and changed, and El Pecos on the Go Market Limited has created a new model to respond to these customer expectations in a safe and secure environment.
