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And while Mikados is among the businesses that are closing until further notice, there is one fast-food restaurant in Belize City which is struggling to remain open under the threat of the COVID-19 scare. 

That Terminal Deck Food Joint, located on Amara Avenue, specializes in fast food. This weekend, its owner, Abdul Ahmad, called on his follow restaurant-owning colleagues to boost their delivery services in the promotion of social distancing.

In a press release from Terminal Deck, Ahmad and his management team said, quote, "â€Â¦Terminal Deckâ€Â¦ calls on all restaurants and food joints to take the initiative and adopt a new policy of doing strictly take out and food deliveries, in light of the pending threat of COVID-19.  This is necessary since public gatherings are now limited to twenty-five persons at a time, which any food establishment, at rush hour, would easily exceed."

This afternoon we stopped by talk with Ahmad about his company's call call for a more robust delivery service, as well as the COVID-19 pressures that he is facing as a restaurant owner. Here's that conversation:

Abdul Ahmad - Owner, Terminal Deck
"Since this weekend, we sanitized the entire establishment, the kitchen, the deck. Presently, we have the deck closed off. The cashier, she came out, and now, she's taking orders from outside. Customers wait behind the desk. When it comes to our kitchen staff, the kitchen is sanitized regularly. We have our products, the Lysol, hand sanitizers, Clorox, masks, gloves. So, for now, we're only doing pick-ups and deliveries. Customers are asked to call the landline, come and pick up their orders, or place their orders in terms of delivery services. Our delivery services, the guys are properly geared as well, and we try our best to facilitate this process. The biggest concern is when it comes to the shortages in regards to supplies. That's where our major concern is, and that would determine more or less how long we're able to do this service. There is uncertainty, at this time when it comes to the market. How long will they be open? We buy vegetables every day, fresh stuff from the market every day. Also, when it comes to the bakeries complaining of the shortages in flour. And that is a major concern for me, so the decision to remain open is basically day by day."

Reporter
"Have your overhead costs increased due to COVID-19?"

Abdul Ahmad
"Definitely, definitely. Time is money. You go to the market. You spend an unnecessary amount of time, basically because of the number of lines. You go to the supermarket, the time as well. There is a slight spike in regard to these groceries and also shortages. I think that other businesses as well should try to take the initiative to try their best to strengthen their delivery service, put themselves in a position where they could provide that services to their customers. I work closely with frontline express. Those guys are very reliable, and they are additional personnel when it comes to my own delivery guys. I have my delivery staff, and if there is any need to extend that service, then I would rely on Frontline Express."