Health Ministry 'nervous' over restrictions ease-up

HEALTH Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said the relaxing of anti-covid19 restrictions, which begins today, is a cause of nervousness for the ministry.

He said the implementation of the measures in phase one is part of a well-thought-out plan based on the advice of health officials and the mistakes of other countries which tried to ease restrictions too quickly.

He said the ministry expects that any new cases will begin to show up by the weekend. These will be the result of community spread and cannot be blamed on returning residents or importation, as the country's borders remain closed.

Deyalsingh urged the public to continue with health measures such as physical distancing, wearing masks when outdoors, sanitisating surfaces, not touching the face, cough etiquette, and staying home if someone is ill.

He said if people are responsible, they will help the ministry manage the next two weeks and if, hopefully, there are no new cases then phase two can come onstream as planned.