[UPDATED] Police offices closed after covid scare

JENSEN LA VENDE and SHANE SUPERVILLE

Three offices of the police service were closed on Tuesday as part of precautions to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, after unconfirmed reports that a police officer tested positive.

Up to 9 am, staff at the Police Administration Building on Sackville Street, Port of Spain, were not allowed to enter the building. Police outside said it was under lockdown but did not give any more details as to why. One worker said staff were told to return to work on Wednesday.

Newsday was told an officer complained of feeling unwell last Thursday and was told to return home. She was subsequently tested and confirmed to be covid19 positive.

She had recently visited both Riverside Plaza and the criminal records office.

Newsday was informed that a family member of the officer also tested positive.

These incidents come on the heels of increased sporadic spread of the virus among people with no recent travel history.

A police media release issued hours after staff were sent home confirmed that both Riverside Plaza and the Administration Building would be closed for sanitising until Wednesday.

The release did not confirm reports that a police officer tested positive for the virus.

In another release, the police also denied claims that the payment of salaries to officers and civilian staff was disrupted due to the closure of the Administration Building.

The claim was made using a fake press release using the official police letterhead which was circulated on social media.

"Persons are also strongly urged to desist from using the official police letterhead and logo for mischievous purposes," the release warned.

Another release on Tuesday afternoon also announced the closure of the Firearms Section at the Woodbrook Police Station.

The release advised that while the section would be closed, applicants for a Firearms User's License would be contacted if any issues arise on their applications and an appointment will be set up for them to come to the Section.

People can drop off applications for any transaction at the section, but no queries will be entertained.

Upon completion of the process, applicants will be contacted by the section and given a time and date to collect their documents.

This story was originally published with the title "Police offices closed for sanitising after covid19 scare" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

Three police offices were closed on Tuesday as part of anti-covid19 precautions after reports that a police officer had tested positive.

Up to 9 am, staff at the Police Administration Building on Sackville Street, Port of Spain, were not allowed to go in. Police outside said the building was under lockdown but did not give any more details.

One worker said staff were told to return to work on Wednesday.

Newsday was told an officer complained of feeling unwell last Thursday and was told to return home. She was subsequently tested and confirmed to be covid19 positive.

She had recently visited both Riverside Plaza and the criminal records office.

Newsday was informed that a member of her family also tested positive.

These incidents come on the heels of increased sporadic spread of the virus among people with no recent travel history.

A police media release issued hours after staff were sent home confirmed that both Riverside Plaza and the Administration Building would be closed until Wednesday and sanitised.

The release did not confirm reports that an officer had the virus.

Another release, issued on Tuesday afternoon, announced the closure of the Firearms Section at the Woodbrook Police Station.