Cedros police not under lockdown, some CG officers will be quarantined

Some of the Coast Guard officers who intercepted a boat with Venezuelans off the coast in Cedros early Wednesday morning will be quarantined as a precautionary measure.

National Security Minister Stuart Young said he received a report that the officers intercepted the vessel at sea and detained about 32 Venezuelans. Arrangements were being made to return them to their homeland.

"In keeping with current health protocols, the individuals involved were screened by public health officials. This includes both the Venezuelans as well as some of the TTCG crew involved," he said via WhatsApp.

"Some of the TTCG crew involved will be quarantined as a precaution and in keeping with previously approved protocols."

He thanked members of the TT Defence Force, including those in the Coast Guard for continuing "to work to secure our borders."

However, Cedros police have not been under quarantine, assured Deputy Commissioner of Police Jayson Forde, considering reports that the officers at the security complex were under lock down on Wednesday.

"The station is operating as normal. There was no lock down," Forde said adding that he contacted the South Western Division officers.

The complex houses the police station, immigration department, customs and excise division and the Coast Guard.

Reports are police expressed "concerns" that the foreigners may have the coronavirus.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Medical Officer Dr Roshan Parasram during the Ministry of Health virtual press conference told reporters that the detention fell under the purview of the National Security Ministry.

"The health component is to assess those individuals to find out if they had any acute illnesses while being held in TT," Parasram said.

If the officers encountered anyone who has a flu-like illness they would have to be quarantined whether by the defence force or at one of Government's facilities, he said.

Like anyone else, they will be quarantined for the 14 days if there was any level of exposure to such signs and symptoms relating to the virus.That decision however will be made in the next few days, Parasram said.