By Arthur Green, Gleaner Writer ST. THOMAS:
THE PUBLIC Health Authorities in St. Thomas have threatened to force the closure of more commercial food establishments in the parish including those at the police station on East Street in the town of Morant Bay.
This comes against the background of the continued sewage problem existing between adjoining premises of the main market and the divisional headquaters of the St. Thomas police.
In a very stinging presentation to the local Board of Health meeting recently, Chief Public Health Inspector for the parish Mr. Cedric Lewis warned that he does not intend to allow things to fall apart under his watch and already, it was observed where some partner agencies are not carrying their fair share and it will not be tolerated.
"By early 2004, we must see action to remedy some of the obvious breakdowns in the system, failing which the department will not hesitate to act." He pointed to previously cleared areas looking like garbage storage points.
ORDERED CLOSED
Mr. Lewis told the meeting that 66 food handling establishments have been ordered closed recently as a result of breaches and non-compliance. He said 79 per cent of these have since rectified the breaches.
He noted that among the reasons were the non- renewal of licenses, not meeting required standard and some never applied for certification. For those who continue to flout the law, he said prosecution proceedings will begin.
