Kamla: Covid19 measures not enforceable

The Opposition Leader said the measures outlined by the Government to combat the threat of the covid19 pandemic to TT do not appear to be enforceable. Kamla Persad-Bissessar made this statement at a virtual news conference at the Opposition Leader's office in Port of Spain on Tuesday.

While the Prime Minister has not responded to her letter for a meeting to discuss a bipartisan strategy on covid19, Persad-Bissessar said, "I don't have a headache. My brain is very, very clear." She added, "I am a very open person. My invitation to meet remains open. I love my country, I really love my country."

Referring to the measures which Dr Rowley mentioned on Monday, Persad-Bissessar said, "We acknowledge in principle that these are good measures, but we have very serious concerns about the implementation."

She claimed that Government seems to be "depending on moral suasion, and maybe fear on the part of citizens, rather than putting measures in place that are enforceable to ensure safety and health and well-being of citizens."

Persad-Bissessar predicted Government would come to Parliament with legislation to deal with issues such as restrictions on the number of people who can gather in public places. While noting this is important to prevent the spread of covid19, Persad-Bissessar said there are people going to lime in large numbers at Caura river despite decisions from Government "by Cabinet fiat."

She was concerned about possible withdrawals from the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund (HSF). "In principle again, we have no objections to that, but we would have to see the actual wording of the piece of legislation." Recalling this is an election year, Persad-Bissessar said withdrawals from the HSF should not "be deployed into non covid19-related protections."

While the UNC has postponed its public meetings because of the covid19 threat, Persad-Bissessar said the Opposition will not give the Government "a free pass to hide under this virus." She said the UNC will "use the technology where we can and how we can" to keep the Government accountable. Persad-Bissessar added that maybe the various Cabinet sub-committees which Rowley mentioned would give more details on policy prescriptions to deal with covid19.

Barataria/San Juan MP Dr Fuad Khan urged Government to place orders to Cuba for its experimental drug Interferon Alfa2b which is alleged to be successful in treating the virus. Khan said, "Interferon does not have much complicated side effects so you can utilise it because there is nothing else right now."

Caroni East MP Dr Tim Gopeesingh questioned whether there were enough intensive care unit beds in TT. He claimed Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh's statement about the new Arima hospital providing additional beds for covid19 cases was "far-fetched."

Caroni Central MP Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie asked what would be done to prevent small businesses such as bars from going under if the pandemic lasts a long time. Couva South MP Rudranath Indarsingh wanted more clarity on the pandemic leave which Labour Minister Jennifer Baptiste-Primus spoke about on Sunday.