DESPITE previously being informed that they could return to work next month, Cabbage Beach vendors say they are now in limbo as to whether they can begin operating their businesses again.

“They haven’t just said that we’re not allowed to operate, but they haven’t given us the go ahead,” vendor Moree Michael told The Tribune yesterday while on the beach.

“They hadn’t mentioned anything about it. They just told us we’re going to come back to work the 2nd of July before American independence and that’s what we’re holding on to.

“I guess all Bahamians right now are allowed to come on the beach, but as for businesses we’re not allowed to open up our businesses for we don’t know – no apparent reason... We have nothing yet from (Ministry of) Tourism or the government saying, well, we’ll be able to operate for the 2nd of next month.”

On June 16, vendors were irate and shocked to see one of the beach’s entrances locked and their items relocated when they showed up on site in preparation for their return to work next month. Persons were seen taking the moved possessions from across the street back onto the beach. Some claimed their items had been damaged by whoever moved them off the beach.

Mr Michael estimated about nine to ten of his umbrellas were damaged at the time. He said each umbrella is worth around $140.

He expressed fears of police if he tried to resume work at the beach. Current restrictions prohibit a craft or straw market vendor and a jet-ski operator from operating.

“Where it stands right now I’m afraid to even come out and try to set up my little stall and try (to) make an honest living because if I set up, the police coming to me and lock me up saying I’m breaking the prime minister’s amendment laws (emergency orders) – whatever they put in place,” he said.

Coconut vendor Rico Sweeting noted the preparations he made to get ready for the potential opening in July. He is “suffering” and just needs work right now.

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