Faria: Chamber will not defy stay-at-home orders

CEO of the TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce Gabriel Faria said the private sector will continue to comply with stay-at-home regulations as mandated by the government.

It also continues to work closely with the Ministry of Health in organising back-to-work protocols for its members.

Faria made the comments while speaking to Newsday on Thursday in response to an article which suggested businesses were preparing to reopen on May 4, although the Prime Minister has said the country may be reopened on May 15.

He said the headline on a report in another daily paper was inaccurate. He sought to clarify the chamber's position in support of measures by the State.

"The article itself clearly states that we are working closely with the Ministry of Health and we'll be following the protocols as mandated by them.

"The chamber fully supports the Ministry of Health and are happy to follow their guidelines. We are working closely with the chief medical officer to ensure safe back-to-work protocols are established for the private sector, and we have always agreed that we will follow the timelines as dictated by the Ministry of Health. We commend the Ministry of Health for the strong leadership and guidance they have shown in taking us through this difficult situation."

At a virtual media conference on Thursday, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said it was important for the necessary precautions to be taken before the counry could reopen.

He was referring to a research note developed by the University of Oxford which ranked TT second in a list showing 149 countries' preparedness to lift covid19 restrictions.