AG: Strategies for public, private gatherings being worked out

ATTORNEY General Faris Al-Rawi on Wednesday said strategies on how to prevent public and private gatherings of people from becoming covid19 super spreader events are under consideration. On November 24, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said a task force of public health inspectors would be assembled to deal with such situations.

"Public health inspectors can go into any gathering, public or private, and if they feel there is an imminent danger, they can ask for that crowd to be dispersed."

He said the task force would work with police "to go into private property under the public health ordinance because it speaks of an imminent threat." Deyalsingh added that he had spoken with National Security Minister Young about using existing legislation to disperse people in their private settings. Deyalsingh made his statements after concerns were raised about a zesser party in Kelly Village and a wedding in Valsayn.

On Wednesday, Al-Rawi told Newsday, within the public health regulations and TT's laws, there are existing powers that public health officers enjoy in respect to matters concerning infectious diseases. He said those powers related to the existence of those diseases in public and private settings.

"The methodology is being assessed right now to see what, if anything further, needs to be contemplated in this structure."

He explained his ministry, the National Security Ministry and the Health Ministry were collaborating closely on the issue.

"In mapping out these structures, one has to be extremely mindful of the constitutional rights, in particular, that of the enjoyment of private life and whether in the application of powers, if required, one needs to move to consideration of three-fifths majority legislation."

While that exercise is continuing, Al-Rawi observed, "We have a number of existing laws that could be applied." He said the constitutionality of that structure will be examined "to make sure that we take the very best approach possible."

He said government had been very careful to avoid declaring a state of emergency and suspend constitutional rights to deal with the pandemic. He noted this has happened in other countries, which have seen sharp increases in covid19 positive cases.

Recalling that Government passed covid19 legislation in Parliament earlier this year to make mask-wearing in public mandatory, Al-Rawi said Government has always considered all options when dealing with the pandemic.

"We had to very carefully balance our citizens' rights and then lives and livelihoods, so we made sure that we didn't turn this country into a police state unnecessarily."

Al-Rawi reiterated that common sense remained critical to people playing their part in curbing the spread of covid19.

"It's hard to legislate for common sense."

While efforts regarding the development of an effective covid19 vaccine continue, Al-Rawi said, "We are far from out of the woods. We are not out of danger. We are constantly in danger."