[UPDATED] Government introduces more restrictions as covid19 cases continue to rise

File photo by Sureash Cholai
File photo by Sureash Cholai

ECHOES of the Prime Minister’s stern statement, “You have been warned,” continue to be heard even weeks later as several public health regulations have once again been reinstated. This time, they affect religious gatherings, the entertainment industry and the public sector.

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh announced the changes at the Health Ministry’s virtual press conference on Wednesday morning.

Until May 16, there can be no public gatherings for entertainment or concerts; only ten people can attend weddings and funerals; public servants will revert to a rotation system for working from their offices (and at a 50 per cent capacity); and places of worship are to operate at a 25 per cent capacity.

Deyalsingh said these regulations were decided on during a meeting with the Prime Minister, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young, chief medical officer Dr Roshan Parasram, epidemiologist Dr Avery Hinds, National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds and Thoracic Medical Director at the Caura Hospital Dr Michelle Trotman.

The decision was made in light of the recent upsurge in covid19 cases and deaths.

Last Wednesday, other changes to the regulations had been announced which included: the closure of all beaches, banning in-house dining at restaurants, bars, casinos and cinema, reducing the number of people allowed to gather in public from ten to five.

Dr Hinds said the ministry is concerned about the upsurge, adding that one “driving factor would have been the large congregations that would have occurred two weeks ago around the Easter period that we’re now seeing the effects of.”

On Monday, TT recorded its first case of the Brazilian variant of the virus, P1.

Professor Christine Carrington, professor of molecular genetics and virology at UWI said it has now been reported in around 40 countries and that it is a “variant of concern.

“The main concern about P1 is that they contain a large number of mutations (11) including mutations in a part of the virus called the spike protein. That spike protein is a major target for the protective immune response and it’s also the protein around which covid19 vaccines were designed.

“Laboratory tests have shown that because of these mutations in the spike protein, the P1 variant is a little less easily neutralised by antibodies produced in response to infection with other non-P1 variants. And as a result, it is possible for people to be re-infected with this variant.”

But she said, this resistance is still better than that of the South African variant. She added that new research suggests vaccines are effective against this variant.

On April 21, 2020, there were 115 confirmed cases of covid19 in TT, with 79 active cases, eight deaths and 28 recoveries.

Fast forward to April 21, 2021 and there are 9,216 confirmed cases, with 1,023 active cases, 8,036 recoveries and 157 deaths.

Hinds assured the public the new regulations will be strictly enforced over the next three weeks, adding that he is set to meet with Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith and his team to discuss the way forward.

He said the ministry has recognised the “unlawful behaviour of some of our citizens, disregarding all of the things we heard so many times.”

He said it is unfortunate that enforcement is necessary.

“Special teams, we expect, will be put together division by division…All of the nine and I will be asking them to report to this team on a daily basis, their actions in terms of the enforcement of these regulations where people will be made to feel it in their pockets if they practice this unthinking behaviour of disregarding the security and the safety of all of us.”

Deyalsingh said the new measures sought to “strike a proper balance” to reduce congregation as much as possible.

Dr Trotman thanked those who have been adhering to the public health regulations but called on those who haven’t been to “get on board.

“We think, as a group, that part of what we have seen with our increase in numbers has to do with the improper wearing of the masks, congregating and also a relaxation because the vaccine is here.

“It is very important as we continue to get vaccinated that we remember we don’t drop the measures that are put in place to slow and stop the spread of the virus."

This story was originally published with the title "New covid19 rules: no concerts; only 25% capacity at places of worship" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

FROM midnight, there can be no public gatherings for entertainment or concerts; only ten people can attend weddings and funerals; public servants will revert to a rotation system for working from their offices; and places of worship are to operate at a 25 per cent capacity.

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh made these announcements at the Health Ministry's virtual press conference on Wednesday morning, in light of a large increase in covid19 cases.

Deyalsingh said the decision was made at a meeting on Wednesday morning with the Prime Minister, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young, chief medical officer Dr Roshan Parasram, National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds and Thoracic Medical Director at the Caura Hospital Dr Michelle Trotman.

Hinds said he will be meeting with Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith after the press conference to discuss the new regulations and "to ensure the laws of Trinidad and Tobago in this regard are followed."

These regulations will be in effect until May 16.

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"[UPDATED] Government introduces more restrictions as covid19 cases continue to rise"

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