Prime Minister Keith Rowley held a Press Conference at 2pm this afternoon (Thursday 28th May 2020) to discuss a wide range of topics and answer quite a number of ‘burning questions’ from the media. What was not heavily discussed, however, was Government’s plan to lift more COVID-19 restrictions in Trinidad and Tobago. The Prime Minister noted that discussion will take place at the next scheduled Press Conference on Saturday 30th May 2020. Below are the key points discussed today: - Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley will give details on the next phase of re-opening on Saturday 30th May 2020. He is expected to meet with the COVID-19 Response Team before outlining the next step for Trinidad and Tobago. Prime Minister Rowley said the withdrawal from normal behaviour has saved T&T from having an overwhelming number of COVID-19 cases. - Prime Minister Rowley visited some manufacturing companies yesterday and was very pleased by their response in protecting workers from COVID-19. He was also impressed by the world-class technology being used by these local companies. The companies were chosen at random and had less than 24 hours to prepare for the Prime Minister’s visit. - Prime Minister Rowley said whatever he says to the population has been truthful and cannot be rebutted. He then opened himself up to questions from journalists at today’s Media Briefing. - Prime Minister Rowley said the T&T Government has taken a position on Venezuela that is similar to the United Nations - that the Government that represented Venezuela at the last United Nations meeting (Maduro) is the recognised Government of that South American country. Prime Minister Rowley said Trinidad and Tobago demands the right to be neutral. He recalled that at the U.N meeting, Trinidad and Tobago offered itself as a neutral site for both parties in Venezuela to meet and have dialogue. Barbados also offered their country and it was there that the meeting with the Venezuelan parties took place. - Trinidad and Tobago has no intention of abandoning the Rio Treaty at this stage. This country continues to be a signatory to the Agreement. - Prime Minister Rowley emphatically stated that he only met on COVID-19 matters with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez and one (1) other person, Asdrubal Chavez, who was NOT introduced as the President of PDVSA at that meeting. The Prime Minister, the Minister of National Security and the Minister of Foreign Affairs were the only three (3) T&T representatives in attendance. At that meeting, Venezuela offered COVID-19 test kits which were declined. Discussions also centred on more security at the borders. - Contrary to what is being suggested, the Prime Minister said he has regular discussions with the U.S Ambassador. - Prime Minister Rowley said the UNC Opposition is hell-bent on getting the United States to impose sanctions on Trinidad and Tobago. - Prime Minister Rowley said Government "is making enemies" by standing in the way of two (2) business conglomerates that own media houses. He explained that Government has taken decisions that are unfavourable to one business conglomerate's interests while in the second instance, the State is not facilitating business with the other conglomerate at this time. He noted that the two (2) business conglomerates have financial interests to protect, but the Government also has to protect the interest of the wider population. He said: "We are for the people of Trinidad and Tobago." - Prime Minister Rowley gave the assurance that General Elections will be held when constitutionally due, but there will be a different way of doing things, especially when it comes to campaigning and adhering to physical distancing guidelines. Watch the Press Conference below in its entirety. This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.
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Government has entered into an agreement with the Trinidad and Tobago Postal Corporation (TTPost) for Passport delivery across the country as it seeks to encourage social distancing and avoid overcrowding at Immigration offices. At the Ministry of Health’s virtual Press Conference on Wednesday 27th May 2020, National Security Minister Stuart Young said he recently approved the production of a large number of Passports for distribution across Trinidad and Tobago.
In a somewhat unexpected move, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has announced that there will be a Post-Cabinet Media Briefing at 2pm today, Thursday 28th May 2020 with Prime Minister Keith Rowley. As of this morning, Trinidad and Tobago still has no new positive cases of COVID-19 during the past month.
Minister of Communications, Donna Cox, previously announced that Prime Minister Keith Rowley will be joining the next scheduled Press Conference by the Ministry of Health, which is on Saturday 30th May 2020. Minister Cox made the announcement at the very end of yesterday's virtual Press Conference. Saturday happens to be the Indian Arrival Day public holiday so it is unclear at this point if that scheduled Press Conference with Prime Minister Rowley will still take place then. Regardless, today’s Post-Cabinet Media Briefing is expected to address Phase 3 and possibly even Phase 4 of the gradual re-opening of the country. In fact, many have been calling for a complete re-opening of the country, including Opposition Leader, Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
Watch the live stream of the Press Conference below when it begins at 2pm.
This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.
While Trinidad and Tobago has managed to hold steady at 116 positive cases of COVID-19 with eight (8) deaths, many other countries are still struggling. It has taken less than four (4) months for COVID-19 to kill more than 100,000 Americans. That's almost twice the number of Americans lost during the entire Vietnam War.
The first known virus-related death happened on 6th February 2020. Since then, an average of nearly 900 Americans have died every day from COVID-19. 100,271 deaths were reported as of Wednesday (27th May 2020), according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University. The death toll might actually be even higher as some victims -- such as those who die in their homes and not in a Hospital -- might never have been tested for COVID-19. Former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, tweeted a message to the families and friends of those who have died.
Coronavirus is still spreading unabated, and no one knows how many more Americans will die from COVID-19.
Even as the number of deaths soared to such a grim milestone, Americans are at odds over whether it's necessary to keep taking protective measures, including wearing a face mask. A leading researcher says the data is clear: The path ahead in the COVID-19 Pandemic is being shaped by masks. Dr. Chris Murray, Director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), at the University of Washington, told CNN late Tuesday: We now have really clear evidence that wearing masks works -- it's probably a 50% protection against transmission. And so, what happens in the next month or two is very much in the hands of how people respond.
As health experts stress the importance of wearing masks, the matter has gotten political. President Donald Trump has foregone face coverings in public while his presumptive rival Joe Biden has worn one, staking their ground in the partisan debate over whether masks are a paranoid restriction or a necessary precaution.
The number of U.S deaths forecast by August has shifted to 132,000 -- 11,000 fewer than projected a week ago -- according to the IHME's model, one of more than a dozen highlighted by the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, told CNN that "simple" things like wearing masks and washing hands are crucial. "Those are the things that everybody should seriously consider doing," said Fauci. California on Wednesday became the fourth state with more than 100,000 cases of COVID-19. New York, New Jersey and Illinois were the first three (3) to reach the milestone. More than 3,800 people have died in California. Every U.S State has begun to re-open, lifting restrictions on businesses and public spaces often in phases specific to the needs of the area. Large gatherings could resume soon in Florida. Walt Disney World on Wednesday proposed re-opening Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on 11th July and EPCOT and Hollywood Studios on 15th July 2020. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom said, "We are walking into the unknown." More than 80% of counties in the State are allowed to begin the third of a four-phase re-opening plan. This stage includes allowing hair salons and barbershops to re-open along with retail shops. California’s final phase of re-opening includes resumption of concerts and spectator events, but Newsom says, "we are not there yet." Below are the top 10 countries that are battling COVID-19 as of Wednesday evening.
This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.
The Trinidad and Tobago Postal Corporation (TTPost) has partnered with the Ministry of Works and Transport (MOWT) to support their new UTURN System. In keeping with the new system, the public can now make payments for tickets issued on or after Wednesday 27th May 2020 for traffic violations at any of twelve (12) TTPost Corporate Shop locations. MOWT launched the UTURN System as well as the Demerit Points System on Wednesday.
Payments can be made from Thursday 28th May 2020, between the hours of 8am to 2pm at the following TTPost Corporate Shop locations:
TTPost is asking persons to remain six (6) feet apart when lining up for service in order to safeguard the health and safety of customers and staff from the risk of COVID-19 infection. Members of the public are also asked to wear face masks and to comply with onsite requests to facilitate two (2) to four (4) persons at a time into their facility, dependent on size. UPDATE 2: Prime Minister Rowley said at Thursday’s Press Conference that once the data remains positive as it is now, he will be in a better position to discuss a “significant opening” of the economy at the scheduled Press Conference this Saturday. UPDATE: Prime Minister Rowley has called for a Press Conference at 2pm on Thursday 28th May 2020. Minister of Communications, Donna Cox, announced that Prime Minister Keith Rowley will be joining the next scheduled Press Conference by the Ministry of Health, which is on Saturday 30th May 2020. Minister Cox made the announcement at the very end of today's virtual Press Conference. High on the agenda at this Saturday's Press Conference will no doubt be Phase 3 of the re-opening strategy for the country. 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 an entire 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. At the virtual Press Conference on Monday (25th May 2020), Minister Cox stated that Minister of Education, Anthony Garcia, would be attending a Press Conference soon to talk about education matters related to COVID-19. She noted that National Security Minister Stuart Young, Finance Minister Colm Imbert, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi, Social Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis and Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon were some of the other Government Ministers who have attended previous Press Conferences. This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.
The Ministry of Health held a virtual Press Conference at 10am this morning (Wednesday 27th May 2020) to update the public on the latest developments with COVID-19 in Trinidad and Tobago. Below are the key points discussed today: - Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) believes we are still in the first wave of COVID-19. Globally, 5.7 Million cases of COVID-19 have been recorded, with 352,983 deaths. - Minister Deyalsingh said people must continue to exercise personal responsibility by wearing a mask in public. Masks must be worn over the nose and mouth and not around the neck or under the chin. People are also urged to practice hand hygiene and stay home if they are ill. - There are now 85 returning T&T Nationals quarantined at three (3) facilities. The following is the breakdown:
- Minister of National Security Stuart Young noted that thousands of applications have been received from T&T Nationals abroad who want to return home. He assured them that they will be permitted to do so, but Government must carefully manage the process to prevent the re-emergence of COVID-19 in T&T. He reminded that all COVID-19 cases in T&T had been imported via travel. - Minister Young stated that Government is carefully managing the re-entry of T&T Nationals and at the same time re-opening the economy in phases - which will see more people moving about in public. He said officials have to ensure that the Public Health system is not overwhelmed. He also stated that the careful management of returning T&T Nationals will ensure that there is not a "mix" at the various health facilities which could potentially expose them to the spread of infectious diseases. - Government is speaking with Royal Caribbean about T&T workers on its Cruise Ship. The cruise line says there may be as much as 360 T&T Nationals on their ships, but this still-to-be-confirmed number will overwhelm the system if they all return at the same time. As such, Government is exploring various options, including quarantine on ships or making other facilities available. Officials are awaiting a response from Royal Caribbean on the final number of T&T Nationals on board their ships, as well as the possibility of using a vessel as a quarantine facility. - Minister Young will be meeting (via Zoom) with the Principals of UWI Cave Hill and Mona tonight to discuss the return of T&T students. There may be over 200 T&T students at these two (2) campuses. - Chief Medical Officer Dr. Roshan Parasram confirmed that there have been discussions on the re-opening of schools with stakeholders. He noted that there is a specific WHO document on schools, with the most critical point being that children and teachers must stay home when they are ill. - Minister Young said there is no reason for him to resign over the visit of Venezuela's VP Delcy Rodriguez. He also noted that there have been two (2) corrections in the newspapers on this matter which indicate that he was not in the wrong. He said, "I am here to serve the people of Trinidad and Tobago." - Churches and other religious institutions remain closed. Gatherings of five (5) people or less remain enforced. - The next Press Conference on COVID-19 will be on Saturday 30th May 2020. Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley will address the nation then. Watch the Press Conference below in its entirety. This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.
The Ministry of Health will be hosting a virtual Press Conference at 10am this morning (Wednesday 27th May 2020). As of this morning, Trinidad and Tobago still has a total of 116 positive cases of COVID-19. We are now into day 31 since the last reported case, which was on Sunday 26th April 2020. So far there have been eight (8) deaths and a total of 108 persons have been discharged. There are now no patients receiving treatment for COVID-19 in the public health system.
The Ministry of Health has begun ramping up COVID-19 testing throughout T&T in order to get a better idea about the presence and potential spread of the virus. They will no longer be hosting daily Press Conferences, but instead will host them three (3) times per week - Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. The Government has been busy making arrangements for the return and quarantine of T&T Nationals from various Cruise Ships. The total group may exceed 430 persons. A particular Cruise Ship near St. Vincent with many T&T Nationals aboard reportedly has COVID-19-infected crew members. This developing situation will no doubt be discussed today.
Watch the live stream of the Press Conference below when it begins at 10am.
On Saturday 16th May 2020, Prime Minister Keith Rowley held an important Press Conference where he announced Phase 2 of the gradual lifting of COVID-19 restrictions will be moved up. He also made several other announcements - if you missed the Press Conference, you can catch up on the key points that were discussed.
A total of 3,046 samples were submitted to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the UWI site for testing.
This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.
UPDATE: There has been a delay in the start of the Press Conference, beyond 11am. Stay tuned. The Ministry of Finance will be hosting a Press Conference at 11am this morning (Tuesday 26th May 2020). Minister of Finance, Colm Imbert, will no doubt address concerns from the public about a perceived lack of timely payments for the Salary Relief Grant. The issue of VAT Refunds for businesses may also be addressed. As of this morning, Trinidad and Tobago still has a total of 116 positive cases of COVID-19. We are now into day 30 since the last reported case, which was on Sunday 26th April 2020. So far there have been eight (8) deaths and a total of 108 persons have been discharged. There are now no patients receiving treatment for COVID-19 in the public health system. Watch the Press Conference below in its entirety. This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.
In an effort to continue providing optimal financial services during this period, Republic Bank Limited (RBL) has announced they will be opening their full complement of branches to the public from Tuesday 26th May 2020.
Non-Mall Branches:
Mall Branches:
RBL notes that the Hilton Agency will remain closed to the public until further notice. The bank is asking customers to observe all markers on the floor for physical distancing and to wear a face mask. The first two (2) hours after opening are still dedicated to serving customers 60 years and over. |
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