A Piparo couple was granted bail with a surety when they appeared before Justice of the Peace (JP), Boodlal Balkaran, on Wednesday 26th January 2022, charged with fraudulent use of an ABM card.

The accused, Vishnu Banan, 30, of Pascal Road, Piparo, was granted $75,000 bail after he was charged with thirty-four (34) counts of fraudulent use of an ABM card, in sums totaling $62,800. Amelia Banan, 23, of the same address, was granted $50,000 bail after she was charged with two (2) counts of fraudulent use of an ABM card in sums totaling $5,000. The two (2) accused are expected to appear before a Chaguanas Magistrate on Tuesday 22nd February 2022.

According to Police reports, in January 2020, joint holders of a bank account reported discovering a discrepancy when they checked the balance on their account. After receiving information from their bank, it was discovered that during the period 31st October 2019 and 10th January 2020, a quantity of cash was allegedly withdrawn from the account by use of an ABM card. The holders of the account did not conduct such transactions, nor did they authorize anyone to do the same.

W/Cpl (Ag.) Kissoonsingh of the Southern Division Fraud Squad conducted investigations into the matter, and as a result, Amelia and Vishnu Banan were arrested and charged with the offences on Wednesday 26th January 2022.

The exercise was co-ordinated by Snr. Supt. Arlet Groome, Supt. Rueben and supervised by Insp. Bachoo, Sgt. Seepersad and included Cpl (Ag.) Mohammed and PC Jemmet of the Fraud Squad - South Office.

Following the recent announcement that students in Standard 5 as well as Forms 1 - 3 will return to the physical classroom from 7th February 2022, the Ministry of Education has released the Guidelines for the re-opening of schools in Phase 3.

The Ministry notes that the Academic Year 2021/2022 commenced virtually on 6th September 2021. Prime Minister Keith Rowley, on the advice of the Ministry of Health, declared schools opened for physical classes on a phased basis, as follows:

• Phase 1 commenced on 4th October 2021 for fully vaccinated students of Forms 4 - 6.
• Phase 2 commenced on 25th October 2021 for all students of Forms 4 - 6 at secondary schools, regardless of vaccination status, and for all students of special schools. Students at primary schools, students of Forms 1 - 3 and ECCE Centres, will continue to attend school virtually.
• Phase 3 commences in Term II, with students of Forms 1 - 3 and students of Standard 5 carded to return to the physical classroom from 7th February 2022.

You can view the lengthy 53-page Guidelines document by hitting the button below, or continue on for the key points.

Primary Schools:

• Students of Standard 5 to attend physical classes 4 days a week from 7th February - 29th March 2022.
• School hours to be 8:30am - 2pm for students, allowing teachers an in-school, 1 hour planning period daily from 2pm - 3pm.
• One day a week — Wednesdays to be reserved for thorough cleaning of the school compound — synchronous online classes to be held on this day for all Standard 5 students.
• SEA to be held on 31st March 2022.
• Standard 4 students to continue online learning for Term II.
• Students of Standard 4 to attend school physically 4 days a week in Term III (April 2022 — Wednesdays to be reserved for thorough cleaning of the schools and synchronous online teaching).
• Standard 5 students to engage in virtual learning in Term III. CPDD and SSSD to provide guidance and/or suitable enrichment programs for this cohort to enhance their transition to secondary school and personal development.
• Standard 3 students to attend school physically on a rotational basis in Term III along with Standard 4.
• Classes to be divided into 2 groups which attend school on alternate days such that each student of Standard 3 attends school physically, at minimum, unless otherwise approved by the MOE: 2 full days weekly; 5 full days in a 10-day cycle.

​ECCE:

• Students to attend school from Term III (April 2022).
• Students to be divided into 2 class groups by age: 3+ and 4+.
• Each group to attend school physically for 2 full consecutive days
• Wednesdays to be set aside for thorough cleaning of the equipment and premises.
• Each group to rotate their 2-day physical attendance cycle weekly.
• Schools to operate from 9am - 1pm daily for students.
• Students to wear plain cloth or disposable masks on the school compound — no patterned masks.
• Parents to supply at least 2 masks in students' bags daily for changing if required during the day.

​General Guidelines for Schools

• Schools should revert to normal (pre-Covid) hours of school operations with the exception of primary schools which will operate from 8am to 2pm for students and 1 hour in-school planning period daily from 2pm - 3pm. Consideration can be given for exceptions to this timeframe on a case by case basis bearing in mind that any changes may affect PTSC school transport arrangement.
• Secondary schools should revert to pre-Covid guidelines for construct of Timetable. Primary schools (Standard 5) will also use the pre-Covid guidelines for construct of Timetable but bearing in mind that students will be in classes from 8am - 2pm. All teachers at secondary schools are expected to report for duty daily.
• Daily reminders of safety protocol to be broadcast over school PA systems at least 5 times daily — morning assembly, morning break, at the start and end of lunch break, and at school dismissal. A pre-recorded message can be utilized for this purpose.
• Student attendance will be monitored by use of an electronic/online register. Schools are not required at this time to use both the physical and the online register.
• Entry protocols (handwashing, temperature checks, contact information collection) to be
• enforced and strictly adhered to.
• Universal masking to be strictly enforced for all staff and students.
• Safety signage to be placed and maintained at strategic areas of the school.
• Social distancing markers to be placed and maintained in common areas. Social distancing of at least 3 feet to be observed in non-classroom spaces such as cafeterias, libraries and quadrangles.
• As far as possible, teaching spaces to be utilized to accommodate 50% of the regular class size.
• Opportunities for congregation to be eliminated — no whole school assemblies, mass meetings.
• To minimize student interaction, a staggering of break and lunch times should be implemented. An example is for the lower classes to be given break/lunch 15 minutes prior to the upper classes to reduce the number of students at the cafeteria/washroom at the same time. A system for supervision of students must be implemented.
• Extra-curricular activities which can operate virtually to be allowed and encouraged.
• Rapid testing to be made available for school personnel through Education District Health Unit.
• The MOE COVID-19 Management Procedures for use in each District and County to be sent to schools and posted on the MOE website for ease of reference.
• COVID-19 Management FAQs and infographics to be made available based on the approved MOE COVID-19 Management Procedures and posted on the MOE Website for ease of reference.
• The MOE to utilise existing procedures to restrict students identified as contacts to COVID positive persons from attending school.
• The use of AC to be reduced as much as possible in classrooms and specialist areas.
• Fans to be used in classrooms as much as possible to promote ventilation.
• All schools to be provided with at least one temporary staff member to assist in supervisory functions.
• For the duration of the Academic Year, Principals are to guide parents/guardians with respect to acceptable deviations to school uniform.
• Additional teacher support will be provided to temporarily fill teaching vacancies at schools and to provide supervisory support as needed based on the Individual School Re-opening Plan.
• Principals must ensure that lines of communication remain open and parents are aware of changes to timetabling schedules. The timetable will advise parents of the hours their charges are expected to be at school.

Uniforms

The Ministry of Education is cognizant of the important safety aspect of being able to identify a child wearing a school uniform, however, being mindful of the extended physical absence from school since March 2020 and the economic challenges experienced by some parents, schools are mandated to relax uniform requirements.

In the circumstances, schools are advised as follows:

1. Where possible, students must wear the standard uniform when reporting to school.
2. As an alternative, the wearing of the school's P.E. uniform, or other school apparel, is permissible once it bears the school logo:
3. The wearing of footwear that deviates from the standard colour is permissible.
4. Parents/guardians must seek approval from the school Principal if their child is unable to wear the school uniform/P.E. uniform/school apparel bearing school logo/footwear of the standard colour.
5. Principals are to guide parents or guardians with respect to suitable attire to be worn, in the absence of the school's standard uniform, P.E. uniform or other school apparel bearing the school's logo.

​Guidelines for Parents

The following guidelines have been issued by the Centre for Disease Control to assist with the virtual or at home learning:

• Try to find a space where you live that is free of distractions, noise, and clutter for leaming and doing homework. This could be a quiet, well-lit place in your dining room or living room or a corner of your home that could fit a small table, if available.
• Try to attend school activities and meetings. Schools may offer more of these virtually. These meetings can be a way to express any concerns you may have about the school's plans.
• Create a schedule with your child and make a commitment to stick with it. Structure and routine can greatly help your child from falling behind with assignments. A family calendar or other visuals could be useful for keeping track of deadlines and assignments.
• Find out if students have regular opportunities for live video instruction by teachers or if they will primarily be watching pre-recorded videos and receive accompanying assignments.
• If your child receives mental health or behavioral services (e.g. social skills training. counseling), ask your school how these services will continue during virtual at-home learning.
• If your school offers a hybrid model, be familiar with your school's plan for how they will communicate with families when a positive case or exposure to someone with COVID-19 is identified and ensure student privacy is upheld.
• Watch for and anticipate behavior changes in your child (e.g., excessive crying or irritation, excessive worry or sadness, unhealthy eating or sleeping habits, difficulty concentrating), which may be signs of your child struggling with stress and anxiety.
• Talk with your child about how school is going and about interactions with classmates and teachers. Find out how your child is feeling and communicate that what they may be feeling is normal.
• You can be a role model for your child by practicing self-care: take breaks, get plenty of sleep, exercise, eat well, stay socially connected.

The Ministry of Health revealed in its daily COVID-19 update this afternoon (Friday 28th January 2022) that there are 768 new COVID-19 cases in Trinidad and Tobago plus fourteen (14) additional deaths. T&T’s total active positive cases have crossed the 19,000 mark, at 19,034.

​The number of new cases represents a 4.48% decrease in reported cases from yesterday. This is the fourth consecutive day in which cases have crossed 600.

There have been 17,761 new cases and 503 deaths so far in the month of January.

The Ministry reported 804 new cases yesterday plus eleven (11) more unfortunate deaths. The country’s death toll has increased to 3,372. As of 26th January 2022, 203 deaths were fully vaccinated persons while 2,754 deaths were not fully vaccinated. 390 deaths were recorded prior to 24th May 2021 (date at which the first group of vaccinated persons became fully vaccinated).

A total of 688,611 persons have been fully vaccinated, representing 49.2% of the population. Meanwhile, 711,389 persons are not fully vaccinated (only received a first dose or no doses), representing 50.8% of the population. 108,760 persons in total have taken a booster shot.

Based on data from 22nd July 2021 - 12th January 2022, 2,140 patients in the parallel healthcare system (Hospitals and step-down facilities) are fully vaccinated, representing 15.5%, while 11,624 are not fully vaccinated, representing 84.5%.

The Ministry states that the number of positive cases reported reflects the samples taken during a 7-day period between 21st - 27th January 2022 and not the last twenty-four (24) hours.

​The Ministry also notes that there are currently 504 COVID-19 positive patients in total being treated at Hospitals and step-down facilities. Twenty-five (25) are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and fourteen (14) are in the High Dependency Unit (HDU).

This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.

Homicide Investigators now believe the brazen double-murder at South Park in broad daylight on Thursday (27th January 2022) was the result of a well-planned execution, meant to silence a gang member who had information that could have assisted Police in solving at least four (4) murders.

The gang member, Malik Straker, also known as ‘M1’ and ‘Molly,’ 31, of Wallerfield, Arima, also had pending Court matters for several serious crimes. Straker, along with Joel Chambers, 29, of Morvant had no way of escaping when gunmen pulled up in a Volkswagen Jetta and opened fire on their silver AD wagon, in which they seated in the car park of South Park. Both men were in the front seats. High-powered guns were used by the killers and so far, no eyewitnesses have come forward — even though the Mall is a high-traffic area.

Police believe that Straker had vital information about last year’s murders of Kareem Walters, also known as ‘Pinto Boss’ and ‘Crime Boss’ of Pinto Road in Arima, Gabriel Mitchell, 25, of Pinto Road, Kelvin Gordon, 40, of Arima, and Marcus ‘Papa’ Thomas of Valencia.

Guardian Media was told by Police that Straker had pending matters at the Arima and Sangre Grande Magistrates’ Court for kidnapping for ransom, false imprisonment, attempted murder, possession of ammunition and firearm, robbery with aggravation, malicious woundings and common assault.

Meanwhile, the other man who was killed, Chambers, was charged in 2018 for malicious damage, marijuana trafficking, dangerous driving, driving without a Driver’s Permit and without a certificate of insurance.

Amateur video circulated on social media on Thursday, showing persons peeping through the bullet-riddled windows, trying to figure out how many bodies were inside the wagon, before Police arrived on the scene.

Several other vehicles were in the car park at the time of the terrifying incident, however, there were no reports of damage to the other vehicles or injury to anyone else in the car park.

A man who was parked about two (2) cars away, told reporters he had left his car about ten (10) minutes before the shooting. He said he arrived at the Mall around 11:45am and went to the gym. Having heard the loud explosions inside the gym, he did not think they were gunshots at the time.

The man explained, “We heard it in the gym but we did not know that it was bullets, most of us thought it was just a tire that had burst, until, I was next to the mirror and I see a guy running along the side of South Park screaming bullets, bullets.”

He continued, “I was surprised because is not like is in the night or is not around people, is in South Park, around so much people. And, apparently no one saw it but that’s just so hard to believe because it is a pretty densely populated area, people working in the stores, people going to the gym in and out always hustling, walking all around the place. Is more of a shock than anything that people so brazen.” The man had to wait approximately two (2) hours before he was allowed to leave the car park, as Police were processing the scene.

Greater San Fernando Area Chamber of Commerce President, Kiran Singh, expressed concern over the brazen murders. He said, “The business community was certainly alarmed to hear of this recent shooting where two male individuals were murdered in broad daylight in the South Park car park. Of course it doesn’t auger well in the confidence of the business community with customers shopping and so on. We know the TTPS continues to do an extremely good job with restricting serious crimes and petty crimes in the South Western district and the Southern Division.”

Singh added, “We wish for these criminal elements to continue to stay where they are from and not to filter down to the districts of the southern region.”

Meanwhile, San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello also expressed his concerns, saying the safety of citizens, children and families in a shopping area must be priority. He noted, “As the Mayor, while I do not have the solution to this problem, I will do my best to ensure safety and security for our citizens. I am going to ask that the owners of the shopping malls including C3, Gulf City Mall, and South Park Mall meet with us, the TTPS and Municipal police next week to prevent another occurrence of incidents such as these. We must tell the criminals do not use San Fernando as a meeting point. Do not use San Fernando as an execution point. When we look at those two men who were killed today they are not from San Fernando. Obviously, it was an arrangement for them to meet in a popular spot for this act to be carried out.”

Officers of the Homicide Bureau of Investigations Region 3 are investigating the incident and have sought out nearby CCTV footage to assist.

[Source: CNC3]

Scotiabank Trinidad announced on Thursday (26th January 2022) that 149 workers will be targeted for retrenchment and two (2) of its branches will be closed between March and April 2022. The bank said the move was necessary due to its digital transformation.

In an email on Thursday, Scotiabank said, “A total of 149 employees will be impacted over the period March - May 2022. These decisions were not taken lightly, and we will ensure all employees are treated fairly and with respect as they transition employment.”

Scotiabank added, “Upcoming changes will result in the consolidation of certain support services and back-end functions, including the consolidation of a part of our collections unit into our global business services hub in the Dominican Republic – which also currently services our Canadian operation. Over the next few months, OSSCL (Operations and Shared Services Company Ltd) will also be impacted by the expiry of some operations functions that support the divested Eastern Caribbean territories.”

Addressing the changes in banking trends, Scotiabank noted, “Customers are using our branches differently today – less frequently, as they complete more transactions online, and more for complex needs.”

Scotiabank announced that its Cipero and Rushworth Streets branch in San Fernando will be closed as of 18th March 2022 and the operations will be consolidated into the High Street, San Fernando branch. Also, effective on 14th April 2022, its Park and Pembroke Streets branch will close and the operations will be consolidated into the Independence Square, Port-of-Spain branch.

The ATMs at Cipero and Rushworth Streets and Park and Pembroke Streets would remain operational and customer accounts will be transferred automatically.

The Cunupia sales centre will also be consolidated into the Cunupia branch as of 25th March 2022.

Scotiabank is undertaking these changes following a year of improved profitability, with the bank recording an after-tax income of $604 Million as of 31st October 2021 — an increase of $83 Million, or 16%, when compared to $521 Million the previous year.

[Source: Newsday]

The Ministry of Health revealed in its daily COVID-19 update this afternoon (Thursday 27th January 2022) that there are 804 new COVID-19 cases in Trinidad and Tobago plus eleven (11) additional deaths. T&T’s total active positive cases is currently at 18,663.

​The number of new cases represents an 18.24% increase in reported cases from yesterday. This is the third consecutive day in which cases have crossed 600. Meanwhile, this is the third consecutive day of declining deaths.

There have been 16,993 new cases and 489 deaths so far in the month of January.

The Ministry reported 680 new cases yesterday plus twelve (12) more unfortunate deaths. The country’s death toll has increased to 3,358. As of 26th January 2022, 203 deaths were fully vaccinated persons while 2,754 deaths were not fully vaccinated. 390 deaths were recorded prior to 24th May 2021 (date at which the first group of vaccinated persons became fully vaccinated).

A total of 687,627 persons have been fully vaccinated, representing 49.1% of the population. Meanwhile, 712,373 persons are not fully vaccinated (only received a first dose or no doses), representing 50.9% of the population. 108,019 persons in total have taken a booster shot.

Based on data from 22nd July 2021 - 12th January 2022, 2,140 patients in the parallel healthcare system (Hospitals and step-down facilities) are fully vaccinated, representing 15.5%, while 11,624 are not fully vaccinated, representing 84.5%.

The Ministry states that the number of positive cases reported reflects the samples taken during a 7-day period between 20th - 26th January 2022 and not the last twenty-four (24) hours.

The Ministry also notes that there are currently 492 COVID-19 positive patients in total being treated at Hospitals and step-down facilities. Twenty-six (26) are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and eighteen (18) are in the High Dependency Unit (HDU).

This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.