AND GREVIC ALVARADO
Non-nationals were among the hundreds of workers from the food and beverage sector lined up for covid19 vaccines at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA) in San Fernando on Friday.
Like locals, the non-nationals who spoke with Newsday said they were eager to return to work.
Jojie Yap Madriaga, an executive chef from the Philippines, said many of his co-workers had already taken the vaccine. He believes taking it will help the process of making the country "normal again."
"We are taking it for the safety of the industry. I am looking forward to working again," Madriaga said as he waited to enter the building at Todd Street to get the first jab of the Sinopharm vaccine.
He works at 519 Restaurant at C3 Centre at Corinth.
Venezuelan Mariangel Gil said the vaccine would protect her against the virus.
"In my country, we have to take vaccines throughout our lives for different types of viruses. Things are not good right now in Venezuela. So why should I not take this one? I also want to go back to work too," Gil said in Spanish.
Another Venezuelan, restaurant worker Kelysmar Del Valle, said she was happy to get vaccinated.
[caption id="attachment_901497" align="alignnone" width="1024"] People complete vaccination registration forms as they wait to receive their first dose of Sinopharm covid19 vaccine at SAPA on Friday. Photo by Lincoln Holder[/caption]
SAPA is one of two mass covid19 vaccination sites under the South-West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) that targets workers from this sector. The other site is at the PowerGen facility at Syne Village in Penal.
Representatives from All Inclusive Tents Rentals were seen setting up tents in the grounds.
San Fernando police, security, and SWRHA officials ensured patients were following the covid19 guidelines.
Smooth process in PoS
In Port of Spain, several refugees arrived at 6 am on Friday at the Paddock, Queen’s Park Savannah, on the second day of vaccinations for food service industry workers.
Marcos Ramirez and Marielbis Legon work at the restaurant Two Guys & a Pig in Maraval and registered via the Ministry of Health through their bosses.
“Our bosses told us from the first moment they knew we would have the opportunity to get vaccinated and they guided us on to get it,” said Ramírez.
[caption id="attachment_901499" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Venezuelans Mariangel Gil and Kelysmar Del Valle fill out their vaccine registration forms at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts, San Fernando, as they wait in line to each receive their first dose of the Sinopharm vaccine on Friday.Photo by Lincoln Holder[/caption]
Legon told Newsday outside the Paddock that the process had been quick.
"Since we arrived at the site the attention of all the volunteers and nurses was excellent. There was no discrimination, they treated us the same as the rest of the Trinidadians, and we appreciate that."
She said the entire procedure took only 45 minutes.
Hundreds of Venezuelan workers have already recei
