Covid19: a glance at how TT faced the virus in 2020

January 29, 2020 – Government began thermal screening of passengers at the nation’s airports and heightened vigilance at seaports inclusive of commercial and cruise vessels.

January 30 – The Cabinet took the decision to impose travel restrictions on anyone who had been in China for a 14-day period before arriving in TT. Any non-national would not be permitted entry and any national or resident who fell into this category would be quarantined until it was clear that they were not affected by covid19.

January 31 – The proclamation of covid19 as a dangerous infectious disease under the Public Health Ordinance, Chap 12 No 4, in order to trigger the special provisions under the ordinance on curtailing and managing infectious diseases such as notifications, special inspections and offences.

February 27 – The Cabinet added Iran, South Korea, Italy, Singapore and Japan to the list of designated countries from which non-nationals or residents would not be permitted entry to TT if they had been in any of these countries for 14 days previously.

March 11 – The World Health Organization characterised the covid19 outbreak as a global pandemic;

Also, the Ministry of Health announced travel restrictions imposed with immediate effect on travellers from France and Germany. Non-nationals with travel history to those countries up to 14 days of travel to TT were not allowed to land. Nationals and permanent residents were allowed to land but were required to self-quarantine at home or at a facility for 14 days.

March 12 – Minister of National Security, Stuart Young, announced a ban on cruise ships;

Also, the first confirmed case of covid19 in TT was confirmed.

March 16 – The Prime Minister announced that all bars and schools were to close. Major exams such as the SEA, CSEC and CAPE were postponed. Gatherings of over 25 persons were prohibited.

March 18 – Dr Rowley announced access to the Caura River and social gatherings were limited to ten people;

Also, 68 Trinidadians on board the Costa Favolosa cruise liner in Guadeloupe were brought back to TT and quarantined at Camp Balandra.

March 21 – The Health Ministry’s hotline for covid19, 800-WELL, was launched;

Also, Young announced the closure of the country’s borders to all nationals and non-nationals effective midnight on Sunday, March 22.

March 23 – Government announced $2 billion pandemic relief package for those who lost income;

Also, Tobago’s first positive case was announced.

March 25 – The country’s first covid19 death was recorded.

March 26 – Rowley announced that non-essential workers were to stay at home until April 15.

April 2 – The Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Guidelines for Homes for the Aged and Long-Term Care Facilities were implemented.

April 5 – Tobago’s first recorded death was the country’s seventh.

April 6 – Rowley announced the extension of the Stay-at-Home Order to April 30 and that all food outlets including restaurants, street vending, and curb side and deliver services were to be closed.

Also, the Public Health Ordinance was revised, with clear guidelines for opening hours of retail places such hardwares, electrical and plumbing stores, and supermarkets until April 30.

April 16 – Rowley appointed a 22-member team for covid19 ‘Road to Recovery.’

April 17 – Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi said 121 low risk prisoners were freed to reduce overcrowding in prisons.

April 21 – Chief Medical Officer Dr Roshan Parasram stated the country's cases were sporadic and community testing would begin.

April 22 – Thirty-three nationals previously stranded in Barbados returned to TT on a chartered a plane.

April 25 – Rowley announced that the stay-at-home order would be extended to May 15.

April 29 – Finance Minister Colm Imbert said the first batch of salary relief grants of $1,500 would be distributed.

May 1 – 69 nationals previously stranded in Suriname returned to TT, and 11 Cuban ICU nurses arrived to help fight covid19;

Also, new guidelines were implemented for the food industry; and faith-based organisations (FBOs) received $8 million from the government to assist with providing food to vulnerable individuals and families within various communities in the country.

May 9 – Rowley announced plans to lift covid19 restrictions on a six-phase basis starting on May 10.

May 16 – Rowley announced a $2,000 grant for operators of maxis and taxis.

May 18 – the Ministry of Health hired 50 third-year students to assist with the operations of covid19.

May 19 - Health Ministry launched the ‘New Normal' policy for covid19.

May 23 – Six nationals who worked aboard the Caribbean Princess cruise ship, which was docked on the coast of Barbados, arrived by boat.

May 25 – Fifty-two nationals on board the Disney Fantasy cruise ship were repatriated to TT.

May 29 – The Ministry of Education announced CXC exams would begin on July 13 and the new school term would begin on September 1.

May 30 – Rowley announced phase three of the reopening of the country, reopening the public service, would begin on June 1

June 4 – Twenty-nine nationals aboard the Carnival Fantasy Cruise ship arrived in TT waters.

June 6 – Rowley announced that on June 8, 12 and 22, various aspects of society and the economy would be allowed to resume operations and that public transportation will be allowed to operate at 75 per cent capacity.

June 7 – Rowley announced places of worship would re-open on June 11 for Shouter Baptist Day celebrations.

June 10 – Education Ministry announces SEA exam for standard five primary school students would take place on August 20.

July 31 – Rowley announced the number of people that can congregate would be reduced from 25 to ten due to the recent spike in cases.

August 15 – Parasram confirmed community spread of covid19 in TT;

Also, Rowley announced new restrictions that would last for at least 28 days including no in-house dining at restaurants, the closure of beaches and rivers, gyms and places of worship

August 31 – Government amended the Public Health Ordinance to institute a fine for anyone seen not wearing a face mask in public.

September 13 – Ministry of Health drafted and issued guidelines for returning nationals, from low risk and moderate/high risk countries.

September 23 – A note was sent to Cabinet for the consideration of the Guarantee and Indemnity Agreement between the TT Government and Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, for the Covax Facility.

September 28 – Rowley announced that Carnival 2021 was cancelled.

October 6 – Rowley signed the Guarantee and Indemnity Agreement between the Government of the Republic of TT and Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, for the Covax Facility

October 10 – Rowley announced a rollback on some covid19 measures including increasing the number of people who could gather at funerals from ten to 20 and allowing tours of the Caroni Swamp and Buccoo Reef to resume.

October 24 – Rowley made several adjustments to the Public Health Ordinance Regulations effective from October 26 including the opening of beaches and coastal waters, the entire Public Service would resume work, gyms would reopen at 50 per cent capacity, and guests at hotels and guesthouses were allowed to use onsite pools

November 7 – Rowley announced in-house dining at restaurants would resume but there would be no consumption of alcohol on the premises. Food would be allowed at cinemas which could operate at 50 per cent capacity, services at places of worship were extended to 90 minutes, Caribbean Airlines would increase flights to Tobago, and sporting teams engaged in national and international competitions could resume full activity.

Also, Minister of National Security Stuart Young announced that from November 15, those entering TT would have to provide a negative PCR test 72 hours before arrival.

November 21 – Rowley announced there would be no state-sponsored Christmas parties in the public sector, that the hunting season would reopen, and food services would be allowed in casinos.

Also, he instructed the Finance Ministry to allocate $10 million to assist employees of bars and restaurants whose income was affected by covid19 and $20 million to assist self-employed citizens who lost income

December 5 – Rowley announced all schools across TT would open virtually on January 4, 2021.

Also, he announced once covid19 numbers remain low the Government would allow standard five and forms four to six students to physically attend school from February 8, 2021.

December 23 – Deyalsingh announced there were more than 30 cases of covid19 on offshore teak field platforms of Perenco.

Also, the Prime Minister said he would volunteer to be the first person in TT to take a vaccine when it arrives.