Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said Trinidad and Tobago borders will remain closed as long as health requirements related to COVID-19 remain in place, although local businesses are partially opening.
Speaking during a media conference in Tobago on Saturday, Rowley said while some Caribbean countries have started to reopen their borders, his administration is determined to take a cautious approach.
“We want to keep our borders where it is because the pandemic is raging. The closure of the borders is not meant to penalize anybody, it’s not meant to lock us in here and make us prisoners. It’s meant to keep the virus out, and the virus travels by way of people. It is normal common sense,” he said.
As it relates to travel exemptions, he added that priority will be given to those citizens who left temporarily to work abroad or receive medical treatment.
Meanwhile, as of Monday, bars, beaches, rivers, casinos, private members clubs, cinemas, and gyms will resume operations, as the country moves into the next phase of the gradual reopening of the economy.
Restaurants will also be allowed to restart dine-in services. All establishments will be required to close at 10pm.
There will also be a full reopening of all malls including food courts. In addition, the zoo and amusement parks will reopen, while team sports will recommence without spectators. Horseracing will also resume, but physical distancing rules must be observed.
To date, Trinidad and Tobago have recorded 123 positive COVID-19 cases. There are currently six active cases.
Annonymously
24 Aug, 2020My daughter has been held in Trinidad for 6 months. She left Houston for a one week visit with her dad. Her dad is saying he will not return her to me (custodial parent) because he would have to quarantine for 2 weeks upon return and he is not willing to do that. He has caused extreme heartache to me. My daughter has only been away from me for 2 weeks only and now it is half a year the past 8 years of her life. On zoom my daughter tells me she feels she is being held prisoner in your country. She wants to come home and is very sad that her dad will not bring her to Houston even though he has had many opportunities on flights listed leaving Trinidad since March.This will affect her the rest of her life.
Is it true he has to quarantine for 2 weeks if he returns from a flight from Houston texas. He tells he is unemployed so not sure why it would be a problem.I read on website that in one of your speeches that keeping people there as prisoners was not your intention.Can you advise