THA head on return of covid19 measures: Businesses will feel it

THA Chief Secretary Ancil Dennis has predicted businesses in Tobago will again be affected by the return of anti-covid19 restrictions.

At the virtual health briefing on Wednesday, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh announced that all beaches will be closed and there will be no in-house dining at restaurants, bars, casinos and cinemas.

He also announced only groups of five will be allowed to gather in public.

Churches will continue to operate at 50 per cent capacity.

The measures are to take effect from midnight on Wednesday and continue for the next three weeks.

As of Tuesday at 4pm, Deyalsingh said, TT recorded 70 new cases. The country now has 566 active cases.

In a WhatsApp voice note, Dennis said covid19 regulations had always emphasised the health and safety of citizens above anything else.

“So obviously, in a situation where we have an increase in cases, then we must engage in the necessary rollback of the restrictions to ensure that that trajectory is curtailed in the shortest possible time. It is about preserving lives.”

Dennis said businesses, particularly those in the island’s tourism and hospitality sector, are “going to feel it.

“That is why I have been making the point over and over that we ought to adhere to the regulations, social distancing and the wearing of masks and avoiding gatherings where possible.”

He said he had seen "many videos, many pictures, a lot of evidence" suggesting people may not have been following the restrictions, and this may be the result,

Dennis said action must be taken to keep the numbers down.

“It is what is required at this time, given the increase in cases. So hopefully, we could bring that under control.

“We have the rollout of the vaccinations taking place. And hopefully after the first 21 days, we should be able to get back to some level of normalcy.”