[UPDATED] Griffith orders Arouca police station closed

THE AROUCA POLICE STATION is closed after a police officer with a recent travel history began experiencing flu-like symptoms this week.

According to a media release from the police, Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith ordered the closure.

The release said the officer left the country on March 4 without the necessary approval and went to St Maarten. When he returned Trinidad on March 7 he went back to work as normal instead of self-quarantining.

The release said the station would be closed for sanitisation, and people wishing to make reports should do so at the Arima, Maloney, Piarco and Tunapuna police stations.

President of the Police Social and Welfare Association, acting Inspector Gideon Dickson, told Newsday the officer has since self quarantined and has been tested. He said after it is confirmed whether or not the officer contracted the disease, they will investigate whether he was operating in the station during the 14-day incubation period, and do contact tracing.

“For now we are trying to ascertain whether the officer in fact contracted the disease. We will do an investigation into the circumstances but that will come later," Dickson said. He added that the association will be speaking with the line minister to ensure that all officers would have access to personal protection equipment (PPEs) to be able to be in contact with the public.

“We are calling now, more than ever, for both the private sector and government to provide the basic PPE equipment for officers who are first responders. We are now trying to curtail behaviour and movement. Our officers are charged with the responsibility to do this, and to do so you would want them to be equipped to do it.”

This story was originally published with the title "Arouca police station closed over covid19 fears" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

THE AROUCA POLICE STATION is closed after a police officer with a recent travel history began experiencing flu-like symptoms this week.

A media release from the police said Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith ordered the closure.

The release said the officer left the country on March 4, without the necessary approval, and went to St Maarten. When he returned Trinidad on March 7 he returned to work as normal, instead of self-quarantining.

The release said the station would be closed for sanitisation.

People in the area wishing to make reports should do so at the Arima, Maloney, Piarco or Tunapuna police stations.