By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

Super Value’s principal yesterday said he does not believe in "emergency powers", while decisions relating to them should be taken by the Cabinet and not just one man.

Rupert Roberts, speaking to Tribune Business after the Prime Minister unveiled plans to extend the COVID-19 restrictions into May 2021, said: “I don't believe in emergency powers. I think we elected our representatives, and representatives were selected for Cabinet, and I think they should decide these matters in Cabinet.

“I believe in counsel. I don't believe in giving it to the one or the few. I think it would be best if emergency powers were left up to the Cabinet. If it is extended to Cabinet, I don’t have a problem with it.”

Arguing that collective Cabinet discretion would be best in these “perilous times,” Mr Roberts said: “If something were to go wrong we want someone in authority to fix it.”

Given that mutated variants of COVID-19, said to more transmissible and deadly, have emerged in the UK, South Africa and Brazil, Super Value's chief argued that there should be a “bigger body” to deal with the situation rather than just relying on one man. ]

Mr Roberts said: “I would think that one person would seek counsel from the business community, medical professionals and from the political arena. But in dealing with the medical professionals they have always been forthcoming with us, and with whatever we asked for. We would just like to see this thing come to an end.”

Dwayne Higgs, WHIM Automotive's general manager, said of the emergency powers extension: “We have been doing OK thus far with the easing of the restrictions, and I think the country has been handling this pandemic fairly well. I wish we could go back to normal but I don’t see that happening right now.”

Mr Higgs added that the curfew does not really affect his business as it closes at 5pm, but he wants the freedom to go to family functions and move about as he sees fit. He added: “We will try to operate the best we can in the market for the time being, but May is a bit long down the road.”