Ruins restaurant remains closed, vendors move in

OCHO RIOS, St Ann:

THE POPULAR Ruins at the Falls restaurant in Ocho Rios, St Ann, remained closed Thursday, a week after it was ordered shut by the St Ann Health Department.

It remains unclear what breaches were found at the establishment resulting in the closure order. Efforts to get comments from the St Ann Health Department were unsuccessful up to Thursday afternoon, as medical officer of health Dr Deborah Weir was unavailable.

Several notices placed on the door and window of the restaurant read: "Closed by the St Ann Health Department under the Public Health Act (Food Handling Regulation of 2000)."

The restaurant, which serves lunch and dinner, is popular for its Jamaican, Chinese and international cuisine. The venue has also become a popular place for parties and other social events over the years.

In the meantime, vendors have used the opportunity of the closure to use the front of the restaurant as a vending area.

On Thursday, one male vendor was seen with several boxes displaying fruits such as guineps, oranges and coconuts at the location.