WATCH: Extensive work being done at controversial food spot Crab Circle before reopening
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Following the closure of Crab Circle in Kingston due to health concerns, more work is being carried out on Tuesday in anticipation of the reopening of the popular food spot.
Crab Circle is being reopened to the public after being shuttered for weeks following a viral video showing controversial vendor Alice Waugh relieving herself at her stall.
Following the closure, health authorities instructed that portable toilets be installed and that vendors acquire food handler’s permits before the facility reopens.
The Health Department, which cited a breach of the Public Health (Food Handling) Regulations 1998, posted a notice of the closure at the facility with a warning that should anyone remove the notice, or convince another person to do so, a fine of no more than $1 million or a prison term not exceeding 12 months will be handed down upon conviction.
“There should be no commercial operation during the period of closure. Also, any person who enters such premises when it is ordered closed commits a breach,” the notice read.
READ: Crab Circle sanitised after closure
Kingston Mayor Delroy Williams last week stated that Waugh would not be returning to Crab Circle when the eatery re-opens at Heroes Circle on Thursday.
Waugh, in a news report published last Thursday, said she has been rendered jobless because of the incident and indicated that she would be returning as a vendor at the facility when it is re-opened, saying she intends to rebuild trust with her clients.
But, in a tweet, Williams said the municipality had already decided that Waugh would not be returning as a vendor when Crab Circle makes its return. He said the stall she previously occupied would be reassigned to another vendor.
“Not sure why this is being raised days ahead of the reopening when the position of the Municipality has already been stated,” the mayor tweeted in response to the article. “Alice Waugh will not be returning to Crab Circle as a vendor come next week.”
He added: “We wish Ms Waugh the best in her other endeavours but she will not be permitted to return to Crab Circle as a vendor, preparing food for the public given several public health concerns.”
READ: No Alice when Crab Circle returns, says Kingston mayor
Last year, J Wray and Nephew Limited made a significant and commendable investment in rehabilitating the stalls, branding them and thus giving the area a boost as it had developed a reputation as a favourite street food spot for Jamaicans and visitors alike.
That rehabilitation was done under a memorandum of understanding signed with the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation which committed J Wray and Nephew to the stall upgrades.
