Leader of the Jamaat al Muslimeen and orchestrator of this country’s 1990 Coup, Yasin Abu Bakr, spoke at a Press Conference a short while ago to address the arrest of his son, Fuad, by Police earlier today. According to reports, Fuad Abu Bakr was arrested for taking part in protest activity in Port-of-Spain this morning. The Press Conference was hosted by Fuad’s lawyer, at which a video was shown of his client’s arrest by Police.

Watch the Press Conference in its entirety below and stay tuned for updates.

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The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) issued an update about the situation with protests this afternoon, stating all roads leading in and out of Port-of-Spain have been cleared and are now debris-free. TTPS issued the update around 1:10pm, following protest action by certain persons earlier today.

TTPS notes that its members are on the ground and ensuring the safety of commuters entering and leaving Port-of-Spain.

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

Amid continuing protests and violence in parts of Port-of-Spain today, the United States Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago has issued a Security Alert to U.S citizens - warning them of “civil unrest” in various areas.

​See the Embassy’s Security Alert below and stay tuned for updates.

Minister of National Security, Stuart Young, held a Press Conference this morning (Tuesday 30th June 2020) to address the protests happening in various communities in East Port-of-Spain. He said they will do all that is necessary to maintain peace.

Minister Young assured those calling for justice in relation to the three (3) men who were killed on Saturday in Morvant, that an investigation has been launched.

He added that based on information he received, protesters were being paid to create a disturbance downtown. He also confirmed that a high-powered rifle was used to shoot at a window at the Office of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs.

Watch the Press Conference below in its entirety.

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

UPDATE: The Press Conference started half an hour later than previously scheduled - at approximately 11:30am.

Following protests on a second day as a result of Police killings of three (3) men in Morvant on Saturday 27th June 2020, the Minister of National Security, Stuart Young, will be hosting a Press Conference at 11am today to address several national security issues. The Beetham Highway was blocked this morning by protesters throwing debris and burning tires on the roadway. Gunshots have also been reported in East Port-of-Spain.

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

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

Following several rumors this morning, the Ministry of Health has now confirmed in its 10am update that T&T has recorded four (4) new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total cases to 130. The last two (2) cases were announced this past Saturday (27th June 2020).

In its update, the Ministry noted the following:

• Four (4) additional returning nationals have tested positive for COVID-19. Three of the four are recently deported nationals from the United States, while one is a returning student from the Barbados cohort. All cases are imported. All established protocols are being implemented.
• Four (4) persons have been discharged from the Caura Hospital.

See the Media Release from the Ministry below for further information.

Protests on the Beetham Highway this morning (Tuesday 30th June 2020) saw traffic gridlock from the Port-of-Spain Lighthouse to beyond the NP Gas Station as residents started throwing tires, garbage, pieces of wood and even bags of grass onto the eastern side of the Highway, blocking commuters.​ Dozens of heavily-armed Police Officers are on the scene as residents hurl insults along with trash. The protesters were also heard shouting, "Allyuh stop killing we."

This is the second day of protests following the recent killing of three (3) men by Police in Morvant.

Residents are outraged and want justice after the deaths of three (3) men – Joel Jacob, Noel Diamond and Israel Clinton – who were shot and killed by Police in Morvant on Saturday afternoon (27th June 2020). Witnesses say at least one of the men had his hands in the air when they were shot.

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

Minister of Health, Terrence Deyalsingh, has signed the updated Public Health Regulations (No. 21), which goes into effect from today, Tuesday 30th June 2020 until Sunday 19th July 2020. The update to the Regulations goes into effect a day after the announcement by Minister of National Security, Stuart Young, that all bars will now only be allowed to open until 8pm daily, instead of 10pm previously. The new restriction is a result of several social media videos showing packed bars and patrons not adhering to public health guidelines.

A person who contravenes any section of the Public Health Regulations commits an offense and is liable on summary conviction to a Fine of TT $50,000 and imprisonment for a term of six (6) months.

See the updated Public Health Regulations (No. 21) below for further details.

Trotters Restaurant issued a statement on Monday (29th June 2020) following backlash from customers about being charged a 2.5% tax for COVID-19-related expenses by the popular establishment.

Trotters said that since October 2019 they have had a dine-in service charge of 12.5%. During the COVID-19 lockdown period, they charged 2.5% on curbside and deliveries in an effort to partially offset Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other costs of COVID-19. According to Trotters, this charge was clearly explained as a footnote on their bills. After the re-commencement of dine-in and reverting to the 12.5% service charge, the footnote accidentally remained.

Trotters further noted they have decided to revert to the original 10% service charge of 2019 after discussions with customers.

See their full statement below for further information.

- National Security Minister Stuart Young announced that the Public Health Regulations will be amended today as it relates to the opening of bars. Under the new Regulations, bars will open from 8am to 8pm. Bar operators are asked to use the ‘last call’ system by 7:30pm. Anyone found inside a bar after 8pm from Monday 29th June 2020 will be charged.

- Congregation at bars must be limited to 25 people INSIDE the establishment. Congregation OUTSIDE the establishment, in public spaces, must be limited to 25 people. Police are authorised to close bars if operators/patrons do not maintain physical distancing at these establishments, or follow other public health guidelines.

- Minister Young said if there is no reversal in the type of behaviour at bars and people refuse to follow the COVID-19 guidelines, Government will not hesitate to roll back the Regulations even further.

- Minister Young reminded that all public parties and fetes are PROHIBITED. He noted that an establishment at One Woodbrook Place was open on Friday night in breach of the Regulations. Nightclub owners are warned that they will be subject to fines/imprisonment for breaching the Public Health Regulations.

- Restaurant operators with bar licenses are also warned to follow the Public Health Regulations. Restaurants are allowed to remain open until 10pm for now.

- Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said Officials are carefully observing what is taking place since the re-opening of bars and will continue to monitor this industry. He said they cannot allow one industry to set back the country, especially in light of the strides made to protect citizens from COVID-19. He said: "I am personally disappointed with this one part of the opening which has the potential to erase every single gain that we have made."

- Minister Deyalsingh noted that there are over 10 Million cases of COVID-19 worldwide, with just over half a million deaths recorded.

- Minister Deyalsingh said T&T is too small and the risk will be too great to conduct vaccine trials here.

- The following is the breakdown of returning T&T Nationals quarantined at various facilities in T&T:

• Caura Hospital: 9 COVID-19 patients (Cruise Ship workers on Enchantment of the Seas – 4 patients are expected to be discharged today).
• Chancellor Hotel: 19.
• Home of Football: 1.
• Kapok Hotel: 48.
• NAPA: 6 healthcare workers who completed their tours.
• Maersk Developer Rig: 94.
• Sangre Grande Facility: 24.
• UWI Freedom Hall: 46 (to be discharged soon).
• UWI Penal/Debe: 42.
• Vision On Mission: 18.

- 1,804 Community Tests administered throughout Trinidad and Tobago with all returning negative for COVID-19.

- T&T Nationals/students in Cuba and India will be granted exemptions to return home but must provide their flight details and agree to remain in quarantine on arrival.

Watch the Press Conference below in its entirety.