Gopeesingh agrees with PM on crowds, urges public: Be responsible

Former Caroni East MP Dr Tim Gopeesingh is calling on the public to be responsible and obey the public health measures when venturing outside as he joined with the Prime Minister in urging people to do their part in reducing the spread of the coronavirus.

On Saturday at a covid19 media briefing at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s, Dr Rowley noted the increase in covid19 infections last week and warned that a full lockdown on activities was possible if people continued to congregate. But he again warned that the country would not be able to finance another relief programme such as the one last year in which people were given grants.

Rowley said while the police were required to enforce the laws, citizens also had a responsibility to prevent the spread of infection and urged the Opposition to do their part.

During the weekly Opposition media briefing at the Leader of the Opposition’s office in Port of Spain, Gopeesingh said he also noted the increase in gatherings in and around Port of Spain and called on people to limit their outdoor activity.

"We are in agreement with what the Prime Minister is advocating and keeps appealing. As an alternative government, and a responsible Opposition, we call on each and every citizen to observe the law, the physical distancing, not gathering in numbers more than ten and don't go anywhere where you might endanger others.

"We want to echo the sentiments that we want to see order and respect the law in the country. So, we want to ensure all citizens do what is required of them. Their responsibility is not onerous, it is something they should do daily."

Gopeesingh reminded citizens that he had also contracted the virus.

However, referring to videos of large gatherings of people on Ariapita Avenue and MovieTowne, Port of Spain over the weekend, Gopeesingh said he did not understand why Rowley on Saturday continued to reference Penal and Caroni, as areas where covid19 cases were highest.

On March 20, Caroni County Medical Officer of Health Dr Jeanine St Bernard at a Ministry of Health media conference reported there was a surge in covid19 cases in Caroni earlier in the month.

She attributed this to attendance at church and bars, and said the protective services also contributed.

St Bernard said then, Caroni had 60 cases which led to 900 primary, secondary and tertiary contacts being quarantined.

She spoke about one person felt ill, went to a medical facility to be tested for covid19, and then went to a church service outside of Caroni. That person’s actions, she said, resulted in 15 people contracting covid19 in various counties including Caroni, St George East and St George West.