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BUSINESS BRIEFS | COVID DIARY

Published:Wednesday | April 8, 2020 | 12:08 AM

Medical Disposables and Supplies Limited, MDS, will no longer accept walk-in customers, but has carved out two exceptions: those making oncology and vaccine purchases. Otherwise the company said in a stock market filing it would continue its regular business of distribution and delivery operations, and is willing to be flexible regarding adjustments to its schedule.

The changes take effect immediately, and will remain place until further notice.

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Sagicor Bank Jamaica is reminding merchants to regularly sanitise their point of sale and mobile point of sale devices, using the following procedures:

n Clean devices with water only using a lightly damp microfibre cloth. Do not use solvents, detergents or abrasive cleaners.

n After cleaning, disinfect with alcohol-based wipes or cleaner. Apply using a microfibre cloth. Do not spray, coat or pour any disinfectant or other liquid on to the device.

n Never use bleach, thinner, trichloroethylene or ketone-based solvents, which can deteriorate plastic or rubber parts of the device.

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Worldtron Total 24/7 is offering free refreshments to persons on the front line of the coronavirus fight who do business with the company, inclusive of healthcare workers, first responders, medical personnel, media, and essential government workers.

The auto company’s director Dominic Moore says the hot beverage and snacks are being provided in partnership with coffee brand Nescafé and pastry maker Honey Bun.

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The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica has launched a podcast called ‘COVIDCastJA: Business’ to help small businesses navigate the coronavirus crisis, and unearth new opportunities. The weekly podcast is being done through Facebook as an initiative of the PSOJ Access to Finance Facilitation Panel. The introductory episode was on March 26.

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Jamaica Business Development Corporation has moved its workshops online in response to social-distancing guidelines. Each Tuesday, starting a 10 a.m., the agency, which offers advisory services to small and micro enterprises, will do JBDC Virtual Biz Zone webinars for free, via Zoom, the first of which was staged Tuesday, April 7. That session presented by business adviser and licensed trustee Caydion Oneil Campbell dealt with ‘Business Recovery during a Time of Crisis’.

Valerie Veira, CEO of JBDC, say the webinars will cover a range of topics, including business planning, financing, marketing, product development, research, among others.

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Scotiabank Jamaica will shutter eight branches for two weeks, three of which are in Kingston. The branches in Christiana, Manchester; Ironshore, Montego Bay; Old Harbour, St Catherine; Port Maria, St Mary; St Ann’s Bay, St Ann; and UWI Mona, Cross Roads and Oxford Road in Kingston will close from April 15 to 30.

All other branches remain open but will only facilitate in-person transactions that cannot otherwise be executed via self-serve or online channels, the bank said.

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Scotiabank is offering up to six months of deferred loan payments, but says interest will continue to accrue on the debt.

Customers impacted by the COVID-19 coronavirus are eligible for three months of deferments, with the possibility of extending the period by another three months under the bank’s Customer Assistance Programme, which is accessible by both persons and businesses. Similarly, credit card payments may be deferred for three months, with a potential expansion to six months.

business@gleanerjm.com