And, dismay is a common sentiment within the private sector as they wait eagerly for the economy to re-open.
It's the same for government which is projecting a 400 million dollar shortfall in recurrent revenue.
That's what the new State of Emergency regulations which go out on Friday are being closely watched. Many are hoping that it will allow greater economic activity after a costly two week national lockdown.
Today, we asked the Prime Minister about opening the economy:
Jules Vasquez- Reporter
"Is there some sort of urgency on your part? You must be feeling the urgency to start to re-open the economy. It has been shuttered and tens of millions of dollars are being lost."
Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow- Prime Minister
"Absolutely. As I said, we expect that there is going to be bigger than a $400 million short fall in recurrent revenue. That is, as I said, almost half of the projections. And with GST having been shuttered, with the Ministry of Natural Resources having been shuttered. We did take the occasion of the amendment of SI 55 because of the fact that the enhanced measures came to an end on their own, expiration date on Saturday, those had to be taken out of SI 55 and we did ensure that we put Natural Resources on the list of government departments from the list of government departments that can open now from 9 to 4."
Jules Vasquez- Reporter
"I think the Attorney General said much the opposite. And I passed there this morning and it wasn't opened. It can't be opened today, it is not an essential service."
Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow
"When the AG spoke on Friday he was absolutely correct. But since SI 55 had to be amended in any case to take out those enhanced measures, I asked him to seize that opportunity on that schedule 2 list."
Jules Vasquez
"So Natura Resources should be opened."
Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow
"It should be opened. And I did speak to the Deputy Prime Minister that I was doing this. So, if they are not opened today they should be opened tomorrow."
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