Despite the police's appeal for the public to stay calm, some businesses in downtown Kingston remained closed yesterday while others closed early for fear of disturbances stemming from the signing of the extradition request for Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

The usually busy commercial district was less active than normal and was dominated by students hurrying home.

Inspector Percival Buddan of the City Centre police told THE STAR that although the commercial district was not a reflection of its usual busy atmosphere, it was a normal day for some persons.

"Things are relatively cool, business as usual, persons conducting their usual transactions ... some business places are still not open though, out of fear that something might happen," said the senior officer.

On King Street, most businesses were opened, unlike on Barry Street where most wholesales were closed. Most wholesales on other roads such as Darling and Orange Streets were also closed.

Ann-Marie Lewis, a manager at Bashco Trading Company on Orange Street, said business was slower than normal. "It was surely not exciting. It started out a bit tense. As the day went by we saw a few people, but it is going back to normal. People were showing a little caution and they were watching, but now they are going about their normal business," she said.

The usually crowded market area was also sparse as vendors tried to persuade people to buy. A number of vendors also did not turn out.

"Nothing is going on at town, town dead, people a stay wey from town. Half of the people nah turn out," said one vendor.

This was somewhat evident when THE STAR went to Tivoli and Denham Town. Most roads were either empty or blocked. Various roads leading into Tivoli and Denham Town were blocked by debris, including Charles Street, Oxford Street and Bread Lane.

A Denham Town resident said the community is tense and most parents had not sent their children to school due to the uncertainty of what was happening.

Colin Blair from the Ministry of Education said while all schools were open, there was a lower than normal turnout especially at St Anne's Primary School in west Kingston.

"My checks with the regional director revealed that only a few students were there today. Schools were open generally, we are operating and we hope things remain calm," he said.

Vice-Principal Augustus McLean of Denham Town Primary School said 461 out of a possible 726 students turned up for school.