[UPDATED] Japan, Italy, among 5 countries under coronavirus restrictions

The Government has announced five additional countries on which it has imposed travel restrictions because of the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh on Thursday announced at the post-Cabinet media that South Korea, Italy, Iran, Japan and Singapore have now joined China as countries from where visitors to TT (as well as returning nationals) will be subject to quarantine for a minimum of 14 days. “The Cabinet has authorised the Minister of Health, working with the Minister of National Security, to impose as soon as possible the travel restriction that was put for China,” he said.

Deyalsingh added, Cabinet also authorised him to add or remove countries without the necessity of approaching Cabinet for approval.

“As the situation evolves I would, relying on expert advice, first have to inform the Minister of National Security, and the Prime Minister.”

Deyalsingh also said government-funded travel to these countries will also be stopped, as a precaution not to put people in an environment where they would be at risk.

As a third precaution, government approved the setting up of a committee to deal with public health concerns and emerging infectious diseases, which would be headed by Chief Medical Officer Roshan Parasram and included several ministries including the Ministry of National Security, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Tourism. The committee will also include representatives from the office of the Prime Minister, the office of the Commissioner of Police, Airports Authority, Port Authority and ODPM along with the Tobago House of Assembly and the Tobago Emergency Management Authority.

“It is a very exhaustive list,” Deyalsingh said. They will be tasked with translating the WHO strategic objectives into the national context and making operational plans. They will also implement plans and provide oversight and evaluation.”

Deyalsingh said they would report to and advise Minister of Health and Minister of National Security.

Chief Medical Officer Roshan Parasram said the strategies put in place were developed based on research that was gathered from cases of the virus.

“We would have considered that in those countries there was local spread and rapid spread. There is still no vaccine and no specific treatment, as well as there is rapid transit between those countries, which causes a risk and we are trying to get some level of containment at this point,” Parasram said.

National Security Minister Stuart Young assured that the government has been acting in line with health protocols and have been proactive in treating with the Coronavirus.

Yesterday I asked for specific training and also refresher training for TTDF and and TT police who will play a part. We just want to be in a state of preparedness. We have had conversations with regard to cruise ships certain decisions as to how we will deal with people before they disembark. Protocols are already in place we are just increasing our capacity.

Young added that the instructions to restrict the five added countries were sent out immediately after the decision was taken.

“These instructions will go to immigration and civil aviation will give the necessary directives to all the agencies and airlines around the world,” he said.

Deyalshigh added the steps were taken proactively and reassured that the country is ready to deal with a coronavirus outbreak. He, however, noted that there was not reason to panic as the government was taking every precaution to prevent people with the virus from entering TT.

“But before it gets to our shores we want to take all reasonable measures to deal with Covid-19,” he said. South Korea has reported more than 1,700 cases. Italy has the biggest infection rate outside of Asia with about 400. Iran has 254 cases, including vice president Masoumeh Bebtekar, and deputy health minister Iraj Harirchi, while Japan has 164 and Singapore has 91 cases.