The Trinidad and Tobago Meterological Service has officially declared the start of the 2020 Rainy Season following measurable rainfall from the passage of a Tropical Wave on Saturday 30th May 2020. Rainfall activity associated with the passage of a Tropical Wave or the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), whichever is first, signals the start of the local Rainy Season each year since these features will be the mainstay for the next six (6) months in yielding rainfall.

An overall above-normal Wet Season is forecasted. The start of the Wet Season, June to August, is likely to receive more rainfall than usual. Concern for flooding is elevated since the period June to August is usually the wettest months of the Season. The months September to November are likely to receive normal rainfall amounts with the potential for flooding still being elevated.

The Wet Season usually begins in May, as seen in past dates below. Following the second driest April on record for Trinidad, the onset of the 2020 Wet Season was eagerly awaited by many. 

Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh has confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in Trinidad and Tobago in just over 30 days. Minister Deyalsingh says a family of three (3) entered this country on Thursday (28th May 2020) and they have been quarantined at the Home of Football in Couva.

​Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Roshan Parasram, said that the case was a person who returned by air ambulance on Thursday after receiving an exemption from National Security Minister Stuart Young. The patient was abroad for urgent medical attention. The accompanying two (2) relatives tested negative for COVID-19.

Just hours ago Prime Minister Keith Rowley announced that Phase 3 will be moved up as there have been not been any new cases in over a month. Phase 4 was also scheduled to be advanced. It is unclear at this time if or how this will affect upcoming phases beyond Phase 3.

​Minister of Health, Terrence Deyalsingh, said that the new case, since it was imported, will not affect Phase 3 measures to re-open the economy, as was announced earlier today by the Prime Minister. He noted it was a case totally under control and all persons were under quarantine. Minister Deyalsingh said he did not want to announce the new case during the usual 10pm press statement, and instead the Government wanted to be fully transparent.

​T&T has now recorded a total of 117 positive cases of COVID-19. The last case was recorded 34 days ago, on Sunday 26th April 2020.

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

Prime Minister Rowley announced at a Press Conference today (Saturday 30th May 2020) that Phase 4 will now be moved up to Monday 8th June 2020. This allows for hairdressers, barbers, spas and domestic workers to resume operating.

Hairdressers and barbers in particular both operate in very close proximity to their customers in mostly small spaces, which poses a greater risk for the spread of COVID-19. Hence this group of workers did not get a green light to re-open their businesses until Phase 4. They will have to follow all the necessary health protocols to protect themselves and their customers - proper sanitizing, wearing of face masks, social distancing, no more than five (5) persons gathering, to name a few.

Popular hairdresser Jowelle de Souza from San Fernando became so frustrated with her business being closed indefinitely that she recently threatened to sue the Government.

f you missed the Prime Minister’s Press Conference today, you can catch up on the key points that were discussed.

- Prime Minister Keith Rowley announced that Phase 3, which was originally carded for Monday 8th June 2020 will now come into effect a week earlier, on Monday 1st June 2020.

- The Prime Minister said that as part of Phase 3, public servants at a managerial position will be expected to be in the office daily, while other staff will come in every other day on a rotational basis. Virtual meetings and flexitime are also encouraged.

- He also stated that all retail outlets are scheduled to re-open on Monday 1st June 2020 along with specialized medical and professional services. These businesses are required to close at 6pm and they must all observe the public health restrictions on numbers, distancing, hand washing, sanitizing etc. NLCB operations are also set to resume then.

- Prime Minister Rowley said that the restriction on gatherings of more than five (5) people is still in effect.

- Prime Minister Rowley indicated that restrictions on air travel between Trinidad and Tobago will be lifted on Monday. This means that more flights would be made available to the public.

- The Prime Minister stated that all restaurants, including the ones in the malls, are still subject to restrictions on in-house dining, however, hotels with outdoor facilities will be allowed to provide some degree of in-house service.

- With regards to Phase 4, Prime Minister Rowley announced that it will now be moved up to Monday 8th June 2020. This phase includes hairdressers, barbers, spas and domestic workers.

- Prime Minister Rowley said that associations representing casinos, cinemas and bars are being asked to submit proposals for workplace safety, so that re-opening these businesses can be considered for the next phase.

- Dr. Rowley indicated that Phase 5 will now begin on Monday 22nd June 2020 which may even be further advanced based on the results. This phase includes the re-opening of places of worship and beaches.

- The Prime Minister also stated that Government is planning to move more aggressively to repatriate T&T Nationals. 275 students are expected to return from Jamiaca and Barbados.

- Prime Minister Rowley made a request for an exception to be made to increase the size of gatherings at funerals to ten (10).

- Minister of National Security Stuart Young said that there will be no re-opening of borders for commercial flights as yet.

Watch the Press Conference below in its entirety.

At a Press Conference this afternoon (Saturday 30th May 2020), Prime Minister Keith Rowley announced that Phase 3 of the re-opening of the country will now begin on Monday 1st June 2020. This means that the public service will now re-open and businesses that were previously deemed “non-essential” will now be able to operate.

Managers at companies will be required to come to work daily, however, everyone else will be on a rotational basis - one day in, one day out. Managers will be responsible for scheduling staff members.

Malls, retail stores and book stores can also resume operations from Monday until 6pm. Although malls will re-open, there will still be no in-house service at food courts. Get what you need and return home. NLCB booths will also resume operations. Public transportation, maxis and taxis will remain at 50% capacity at this time. There will still be no in-house dining at restaurants and all other food establishments. However, hotels with outdoor facilities will be allowed to provide some degree of in-house service. All public gatherings are still limited to five (5) persons. The Prime Minister is proposing that, as an exception, ten (10) persons may be allowed at funerals to help families with the grieving process.

Prime Minister Rowley noted that associations representing casinos, cinemas and bars are being asked to submit proposals for workplace safety so that re-opening these businesses can be considered for the next cycle (Phase 4).

Phase 4 will now begin on Monday 8th June 2020 which means that all bars, barber shops, hairdressers and spas will be allowed to operate then. Domestic housekeepers can resume their services in Phase 4.

Meanwhile, Phase 5 is scheduled to begin on Monday 22nd June 2020 - once there is no spike in positive cases of COVID-19. Phase 5 will allow for beaches and religious places of worship to re-open.

Prime Minister Keith Rowley will host a Press Conference at 2pm today (Saturday 30th May 2020) at the Diplomatic Centre in Port-of-Spain to update the public about the next phases in the gradual re-opening of the country.

At his last fiery Press Conference on Thursday, where he went head-to-head with the Media, Prime Minister Rowley noted that this Saturday he will discuss the decisions that Government has made in regards to the next phases.

Watch the live stream of the Press Conference below when it begins at 2pm.

Many have been calling for a complete re-opening of the country, including Opposition Leader, Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Prime Minister Rowley announced on 16th May 2020 that the country would be moving into Phase 2 earlier than planned due to the lack of any new positive cases of COVID-19. Will he do the same for Phase 3 and advance it to an earlier date? There still has not been any change in positive cases after more than a month. Phase 3 is scheduled to begin on 7th June 2020 and involves re-opening of the public service and an increase to 75% passenger capacity in public transport, maxi taxis and taxis.

​Prime Minister Rowley may also touch on the possible timeline for Phase 4 - which involves the re-opening of malls, retail stores and beaches. Barbers and hairdressers may also finally be given the green light in Phase 4. No date was previously given for its commencement.

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

- Education Minister Anthony Garcia confirmed that CAPE/CSEC exams will begin on 13th July 2020. The exams will comprise a Paper 1 (Multiple Choice) and a School Based Assessment (SBA). In subject areas where no SBA is required (Spanish, French Portuguese, or Human & Social Biology) there will be a Paper 2. In subject areas like Visual Arts, students will be required to present a journal as a replacement for their SBA. For Physical Education and Sport, the assessment will be based on a written plan for the tournament instead of the actual tournament.

- CXC has admitted that a suggested exam timetable was sent out prematurely. A new, authentic timetable will be distributed next week.

- Cleaning supplies (disinfectants, hand soaps, sanitisers, toilet paper and tissues) will be distributed to Secondary Schools from the first week in June.

- The Ministry of Health has provided a list of requirements ahead of the staging of exams in July. Schools must be properly sanitised ahead of students entering the classrooms. The Ministry of Education is also working with the Ministry of Health to acquire thermal scanners for students/teachers to ensure they don't have a temperature before entering the schools to write their exams. A screening process will take place ahead of students sitting the exams. Extra hand sanitisers/extra sinks will also be distributed for schools in need. Officials are also ensuring bathrooms and sinks are in good working order.

- Minister Garcia said CXC has decided to extend the deadline date for the submission of School Based Assessments (SBAs) to 30th June 2020. Even though teachers have been working online with their students, this new extension might require teachers and students to visit their schools in the next month to complete their assignments. They can do so from 7th to 30th June 2020 to have one-on-one meetings ahead of handing in the SBAs. Only five (5) students are to be on a school compound at a time.

- For exams, students will be situated six (6) to ten (10) feet away from each other. The entire school compound will be used so there will be enough space for physical distancing. Protocols for staggered entries and exits for students will be put in place at the schools to ensure there are no gatherings before or after exams.

- More Moderators will be required ahead of all CXC exams. The Ministry of Education is on a drive to get more Moderators. Training for Invigilators will begin online to ensure that they are well-prepared.

- Schools will officially open on Tuesday 1st September 2020.

- More than 4,500 teachers have been accessing MOE Education Platform to work with their students.

Watch the Press Conference below in its entirety.

At a Press Conference this morning (Friday 29th May 2020), Minister of Education Anthony Garcia announced that all schools will re-open on Tuesday 1st September 2020. The day prior to this (Monday 31st August 2020) is a public holiday for Independence Day. Minister Garcia noted that there are many decisions that are yet to be made, including at the Cabinet level, for the re-opening of schools.

CXC has decided to extend the deadline date for School Based Assessments (SBAs) to 30th June 2020. Even though teachers have been working online with their students, this new extension for SBAs might require teachers and students to visit their schools in the next month. They can do so from 7th to 30th June 2020 to have one-on-one meetings ahead of handing in the SBAs.

​Schools will be properly sanitised ahead of students entering the classrooms.

UPDATE: The Ministry of Education started its Press Conference around 11:20am, which was earlier than planned.

The Ministry of Education will host a Press Conference at 11:30am on Friday 29th May 2020 to update the public about plans for the re-opening of schools and the status of all upcoming exams. Minister of Education, Anthony Garcia, will lead the Press Conference.

Watch the live stream of the Press Conference below when it begins at 11:30am.

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

Members of the Fraud Squad are interviewing a San Juan man for attempting to cash a fraudulent cheque valued at $50,000 at the Park Street branch of First Citizens Bank (FCB) in Port-of-Spain. The incident occurred around 2pm this afternoon (Thursday 28th May 2020).

According to reports, investigators received information that the man was about to commit the illegal act at the Bank and Police were called in and soon arrested the man.

Investigators suspect the man may have stolen a cheque book from a company two (2) months ago and was using it to write fraudulent cheques.

Investigations are continuing.

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

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