Deyalsingh announces roll-back on recreational sports owing to rising covid19 cases

GOVERNMENT has clamped down on recreational team sports, owing to the rising cases of the covid19 virus in Trinidad and Tobago.

At the 2 pm covid19 update on Thursday, 46 new cases and three deaths were reported.

Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh said, “After consulting with the Chief Medical Officer (Dr Roshan Parasram), the Minister of National Security (Stuart Young) and ultimately, the Prime Minister (Dr Keith Rowley) who makes the final decision, the Prime Minister has authorised me to implement the following measure.

Deyalsingh said with regard to the regulations which deals with recreational team sports, which were limited to participation by no more than 22 athletes, where such sports are played outdoors, as of Friday, "That freedom we had to participate in recreational sports, both indoors and outdoors, unfortunately we (will) have to roll back.”

On February 20, Minister of Sport and Community Development Shamfa Cudjoe announced the resumption of outdoor sporting activity, effective February 22, but those activities must cater for 22 people or less.

Deyalsingh said, “What we have noticed is that it is more than 22 people. The after-game lime is becoming dangerous, where food and drinks start to come out and people are congregating without mask-wearing. We are going back to how we were.

"So there will be, for the time being, (no recreational team sports) until further advised.”

But he emphasised, “This measure will not affect the training of national and international teams preparing for their international commitments, whether it’s World Cup or Olympics.”