COVID-19: Trinidad & Tobago PM announces plan to revoke State of Emergency

Trinidad & Tobago’s Prime Minister Keith Rowley has announced plans to revoke the State of Emergency.

Speaking during a media conference, the prime minister said that he will do so in parliament on Wednesday.

He, however, noted that the Public Health Ordinance will continue to be enforced including mandatory wearing of masks in public spaces.

“On Wednesday, the parliament will meet and we will discontinue the State of Emergency. And we will continue to manage the vaccinated population and the unvaccinated population under the Public Health Ordinance.”

However, public gatherings will remain at 10 and public fetes and parties, in all forms, will remain prohibited, while party boats and night clubs will remain closed. The consumption of alcohol in public spaces will also remain banned.

Rowley also stated that the current arrangements for schools will remain in place. Additionally, the prime minister announced that public pools will be opened to fully vaccinated individuals as safe zones.

Concerning religious services, he said that these will remain at 90 minutes, however, capacity will increase to 50 percent.

These capacity rules, the prime minister said, apply to funerals, weddings and christening services. Gravesites will be limited to 25 people and beaches and rivers will remain closed.

Rowley further urged citizens to get vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.

On Saturday, the twin-island republic recorded 22 new COVID-19 fatalities, pushing the death toll to 1,850. – (CMC)