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As Jamaica moves to relax its travel restrictions, Culture Yard in Trench Town is likewise making plans to welcome potential visitors. The representatives of the heritage site told THE STAR that even though the coronavirus is a threat, the tourism dollars are needed for survival in the community.

"We don't feel anyway scared to take in people because we are all one, but with this virus, there are guides and measures that people will have to follow. We have to be vigilant because this virus can harm our people," Oswald 'Stone Man' Comrie, a caretaker at the property, told THE STAR.

He highlighted that the business has been severely affected by the fallout triggered by COVID-19 and now might be the time to resurface.

"The border opening up is actually a good thing because this country can't survive when is just us alone. Since the lockdown everything was down to zero, but when the borders 'fly up', Trench Town and our country can brighten up once more," he said

He said that persons visiting Culture Yard will have to observe social-distancing and hygiene guidelines.

DESPERATE FOR INCOME

Likewise, Sophia Dowe, owner of a hostel in August Town, St Andrew, from which she operates an Airbnb for Culture Yard guests, told THE STAR that the community desperately needs the income.

"For us in the Culture Yard, most of our employees are from the community and without the Culture Yard being open, they don't have any other source of income, and people have to live, because even right now, some people are finding it really difficult to find food," said Dowe. "Even for me right now, nothing is not really working out, because every dollar I make surrounds tourism," she added.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced on Sunday that international travellers will be allowed in Jamaica as of June 15. Dowe is preparing herself for the possibility of taking in guests.

"If the borders open and tourists start to venture back in the Culture Yard, we just have to work with it and find means and ways to deal with it, without catching the COVID, if anybody have it," Dowe expressed. "If I had other ways of getting income, it would be a 'no' from me to open the places, but at the same time, I can't be selfish because people have to survive," Dowe said.