The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) has issued a Hazardous Seas Alert (Yellow Level) from 4am on Friday 24th September until 11am on Monday 27th September 2021.

According to the Met Office, northerly high energy swells are expected to impact Northern and Western nearshore coastlines of Trinidad and Tobago. These swells can result in high surfs and occasional battering waves.

Citizens are advised to monitor sea conditions and exercise caution in nearshore areas. Be on the alert for large waves in the area of interest. Follow the instructions of lifeguards and monitor official news sources.

Prime Minister Keith Rowley held a Press Conference at 1pm this afternoon (Thursday 23rd September 2021) to update the public on the latest decisions made by Government with respect to COVID-19 restrictions in Trinidad and Tobago. ​

Below are the key points discussed today, courtesy of the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM):

- Trinidad and Tobago will launch the “TT Safe Zones” initiative from Monday 11th October 2021. These safe zones will allow fully vaccinated members of the public to access cinemas, bars, restaurants, gyms and casinos.

- Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Stuart Young, outlined that members of the public will be required to present proof of their COVID-19 vaccination status to these establishments. Minister Young said the owners of each establishment will be allowed to operate at 50% capacity and will be required to be staffed with fully vaccinated employees. He stated that the owners of the establishments will be subject to fines as the Government looks to implement a tiered penalty system.

- Minister Young also said in the upcoming weeks the Ministry of Health, along with the Ministry of Digital Transformation, will produce digital vaccination cards.

- Prime Minister Rowley added that there will be serious consequences for people who produce or use false vaccination documents.

- All fully vaccinated secondary students in Forms 4, 5 and 6 will be allowed to attend face-to-face classes at school from Monday 4th October 2021.

- From Monday 27th September 2021, the existing curfew hours will be adjusted from 9pm to 5am to 10pm to 5am.

- The Government will consider the re-opening of beaches and sporting activities in two (2) weeks’ time (around mid-October).

If you missed the Press Conference, you can watch it below in its entirety.

The Ministry of Health revealed in its daily COVID-19 update this afternoon (Thursday 23rd September 2021) that there are 331 new COVID-19 cases in Trinidad and Tobago plus five (5) additional deaths. The number of new cases is the highest for the month and the highest since 25th June 2021 (346). It also represents a 16.14% increase in reported cases from yesterday. This is the third consecutive day of increasing cases. These new patients will be processed for admission at the discretion of the CMOHs.

There have been 4,595 new cases and 146 deaths so far in the month of September.

The Ministry reported 285 new cases yesterday plus six (6) more unfortunate deaths. The country’s death toll has increased to 1,437. T&T’s total positive cases now rises to 49,442, with 4,209 being active cases. A total of 43,796 patients have recovered from the virus to date. 3,523 persons are in home self-isolation and there are 117 persons in total at State quarantine facilities.

A total of 564,315 persons have been partially vaccinated with a first dose and 473,097 have been fully vaccinated (including single-dose Johnson & Johnson).

The Ministry states that the number of positive cases reported reflects the samples taken during the period 19th - 22nd September 2021 and not the last twenty-four (24) hours.

The Ministry also notes that there are currently 288 COVID-19 positive patients being treated at Hospitals and sixty-seven (67) patients are in step-down/transition facilities across T&T. Additional details related to today’s COVID-19 update can be found on the Ministry’s website as soon as it’s available.

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

The Ministry of Education has issued guidelines for the physical re-opening of secondary schools on Monday 4th October 2021, for fully vaccinated students of Forms 4 to 6. Prime Minister Keith Rowley confirmed the Government plans to stick to this date at a Press Conference this afternoon (Thursday 23rd September 2021).

According to the Ministry, the national vaccination drive “signaled a hopeful start for the safe return of our students to the physical classroom.” The Government has provided vaccines for the nation's citizens from age twelve (12) and above. To date, the Ministry says over 1 Million doses have been administered to citizens, including 39,120 to citizens between the ages of twelve (12) and eighteen (18).

The Ministry notes that as such, the Government has further taken the decision to approve the phased return of some fully vaccinated students to physical classrooms for face-to-face instruction. “On Monday 4th October 2021, secondary schools throughout Trinidad and Tobago will re-open for fully vaccinated students of Forms 4 to 6, to facilitate face-to-face instruction and practical sessions.”

The Ministry conducted several rounds of consultation with all key stakeholders and the recognized majority union and has communicated the guidelines and operational requirements to Principals of all secondary schools. The Ministry states that, “Teachers who are timetabled to deliver instruction to fully vaccinated students of Forms 4 - 6 are required to report for duty at their assigned schools to deliver instruction via the face-to-face modality. Physical attendance notwithstanding, teachers are encouraged to utilize blended methods of curriculum delivery.”

The Ministry has begun the distribution of laptops and MiFi devices to teachers and students for additional support to schools for the blended learning modality, and Substitute Teachers are being identified to temporarily fill teaching vacancies. The Ministry notes that, “Principals are required to submit an Individual School Re-Opening Plan, based on an MOE template, to their line Supervisors which identifies the measures by which students of Forms 4 to 6 who are not attending school physically, will have access to educational material.”

Prime Minister Keith Rowley announced at a Press Conference this afternoon (Thursday 23rd September 2021) that effective from Monday 11th October 2021, cinemas, theatres, casinos, betting shops, bars, restaurants and gyms will be available to fully vaccinated persons ONLY.

These establishments will be deemed as “TT Safe Zones” and they are only allowed to operate at 50% capacity, in the first instance.

Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Stuart Young, noted that both employees and patrons of these establishments must be fully vaccinated. Employers are to ensure all staff on premises are fully vaccinated. Proof of vaccination is required and Enforcement Officers, which will include members of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) as well as Public Health Officers, will be checking these establishments for compliance. A tiered penalty system is being worked on to ensure these businesses do not break the law. The Minister also said that no alcohol is to be served at these “TT Safe Zones.”

In the coming days, the Government will provide additional details.

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

Prime Minister Keith Rowley announced at a Press Conference this afternoon (Thursday 23rd September 2021) that the daily curfew under the State of Emergency will begin from 10pm, instead of 9pm, starting from this Monday (27th September 2021). The curfew will end as usual, at 5am the next morning.

Watch the live stream of the ongoing Press Conference here.