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And while help is on the way Belizeans are doing their part to flatten the curve of a potential COVID-19 community spread. Those efforts saw dozens of non-essential businesses close their doors today. Among them is one of Albert streets retail fixtures, Mikado. 

Making the announcement of the closure today the store's managers said quote: " We can't stress enough how important and critical it is to stay home during this initial stage so that we can help to contain the spread of the virus." 

We stopped into the store for a word with manager Umesh Mahitani who told us that the decision was driven by the fact that the virus can remain on the fabric:

Umesh Mahitani - Co-Manager, MIKADO
"Given the situation I think it is imperative that we close down. Initially it is going to be for two weeks and then we will have to see thereafter. As far as the safety of the staff, customers and the public at large because this is quite a contagious issue we are dealing with here. So, we need to protect everybody's health."

Reporter
"One of the particular hygienic concerns of a fabric store like this?"

Umesh Mahitani
"It is difficult because you are dealing with fabric and I think one of the reports say that the disease can stay on the fabric for quite some time so it is difficult. We have everybody trying to wash there hands and keep a mask on their face. But, given the situation we just need to close and let everybody go home and stay home. That is the important message that we need to get across, that everybody needs to stay home. That is the only way we will contain this disease. Since Sunday we've been discussing it and I think this morning we made that last minute decision to go ahead and close. We will have a meeting with our staff to discuss how we pay them increment of their salaries and then keep going, for as long as we could."

Reporter
"Have you guys had to let anyone go?"

Umesh Mahitani
"No and we don't intend to either. Everybody here has been somewhat trained and we would like to keep everybody that we have."

Reporter
"Have you ever seen such a pause in flow of funds, such a stall in the economy?"

Umesh Mahitani
"Never, I don't think anyone in the world has seen such a thing. This is a first, right."

Reporter
"And how do you think it is going to affect 10 years maybe 20 years down the road?"

Umesh Mahitani
"It is yet to be seen. It is going to affect us big time but how badly and how long, I don't know. It's a first for everybody. But I think everybody needs to be proactive. That is the important thing."

Mikado's closure also applies to Casa Economica, their branch store in Orange Walk Town.