The consumption of alcohol is permissible from 1st November 2021 on the premises of businesses operating as Safe Zones pursuant to Regulation 6 of the Public Health (2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-n CoV) (No. 21) Regulations, 2021 (or any subsequent replacement Regulations). This is according to a statement from the Minister of Health, Terrence Deyalsingh, on Sunday evening (31st October 2021).

Pursuant to Regulation 6 of the Public Health (2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-n CoV)] (No. 21) Regulations, 2021 (or any subsequent replacement Regulations) and Regulations 3(1) and 3(1)(ao) of the Emergency Powers (No. 2) Regulations, 2021, which take effect on Monday 1st November 2021, the Minister of Health has authorized the consumption of alcohol ONLY on the premises of businesses operating as Safe Zones pursuant to Regulation 6 of the Public Health [2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-n CoV)] (No. 21) Regulations, 2021 (or any subsequent replacement Regulations).

​All owners and operators of businesses and customers are reminded as follows:

1. Only the following businesses may operate as Safe Zones PROVIDED THAT they meet the requirements of the Safe Zone policy as delineated in Regulation 6 of the Public Health [2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-n CoV)] (No. 21) Regulations, 2021 (or any subsequent replacement Regulations):

• Restaurants;
• Bars;
• A common gaming house, betting pool or office licensed under the Gambling and Betting Act;
• A cinema or theatre licensed under the Cinematograph Act;
• A private members' club licensed under the Registration of Clubs Act;
• A theatre under the Theatres and Dancehalls Act;
• Gyms and fitness studios; and
• Waterparks.

2. The consumption of any food or drink or alcohol and/or in-house dining is permitted ONLY on the premises of businesses operating as Safe Zones.

3. The consumption of any food or drink or alcohol outside the premises of businesses operating as Safe Zones or on the roadside of businesses operating as Safe Zones, remains strictly prohibited.

A collaborative effort between Officers of the Northern and Eastern Divisions led to the arrest of three (3) men and the recovery of a quantity of cash and cell phones, within thirty (30) minutes after a robbery incident in Sangre Grande on Saturday (30th October 2021).

According to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), around 10am on Saturday, two (2) men entered a business place located on Moolchan Street, Sangre Grande, and announced a robbery. The two (2) men demanded cash and valuables and then relieved two (2) caterers of two (2) mobile phones and a quantity of cash, before escaping in a waiting black Nissan Tiida vehicle. One of the assailants was allegedly armed.

Officers attached to the Sangre Grande Criminal Investigations Department (CID) responded and conducted enquires where valuable information was obtained. An All-Points Bulletin (APB) was then issued using the partial registration information for the Nissan Tiida vehicle. Northern Division - Area East Operations with Emergency Response Patrol (ERP) Unit 48 conducted a strategic and intelligence-based exercise, which intercepted the vehicle along the Cumuto Main Road. The vehicle was searched and a shoebox containing cash and four (4) cell phones were seized.

Two (2) men from Tunapuna and a third man from Diego Martin were detained and handed over to the Sangre Grande CID.

Investigations are continuing.

The Ministry of Health is advising the population that Trinidad and Tobago has confirmed twenty (20) new cases of the COVID-19 Delta Variant of Concern (VOC). This brings the total number of cases of the COVID-19 Delta variant, which have been confirmed for T&T, to 156.

The announcement was made this evening (Sunday 31st October 2021) alongside today’s COVID-19 update.

The Ministry provided the following breakdown of these twenty (20) cases:

• 9 cases are male and 11 cases are female.
• 11 cases were fully vaccinated.
• 1 case is partially vaccinated.
• 8 cases are unvaccinated.
• 18 cases had no travel history.
• 11 had prior contact with confirmed COVID cases or symptomatic cases of flu-like illness.
• 2 cases are pending completion of epidemiologic investigations.
• 1 individual is deceased.

The presence of the Delta variant was confirmed via gene sequencing at the laboratory of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies. All patients have been placed in isolation until the enhanced discharge criteria for persons with COVID-19 Variants of Concern is achieved. Contact Tracing, testing and quarantining of contacts have also been initiated.

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

The Ministry of Health revealed in its daily COVID-19 update this afternoon (Sunday 31st October 2021) that there are 208 new COVID-19 cases in Trinidad and Tobago plus fourteen (14) additional deaths. These new patients will be processed for admission at the discretion of the CMOHs. The number of new cases represents a 28.28% decrease in reported cases from yesterday. The number of new deaths is the highest for the month and the highest since 22nd July 2021 (15).

The latest deaths are as follows:

• 6 elderly males.
• 4 elderly females.
• 3 middle-aged males.
• 1 middle-aged female.

Six (6) patients had multiple co-morbidities, including a mix of diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, heart disease, dementia, cancer and obesity. Three (3) persons had a single co-morbidity, namely high blood pressure or heart disease. Meanwhile, five (5) individuals had no known co-morbidities.

There have been 6,620 new cases and 214 deaths in the month of October. These figures represent a 12.93% and 12.04% increase, respectively, from September.

The Ministry reported 290 new cases yesterday plus eight (8) more unfortunate deaths. The country’s death toll has increased to 1,696. T&T’s total positive cases now rises to 57,329, with 4,901 being active cases. A total of 50,732 patients have recovered from the virus to date. 4,327 persons are in home self-isolation and there are sixty-eight (68) persons in total at State quarantine facilities.

A total of 623,164 persons have been partially vaccinated with a first dose and 601,791 have been fully vaccinated (including single-dose Johnson & Johnson). The percentage of patients in the parallel healthcare system who are NOT fully vaccinated is 93.7% (based on data from 22nd July - 13th October 2021).

The Ministry states that the number of positive cases reported reflects the samples taken during the period 27th - 30th October 2021 and not the last twenty-four (24) hours.

The Ministry also notes that there are currently 336 COVID-19 positive patients being treated at Hospitals with twenty-six (26) in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and eight (8) in the High Dependency Unit (HDU). Thirty (30) patients are in step-down/transition facilities across T&T.

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

A 28-year-old Chinese operator and a 42-year-old man were both issued fixed penalty notices on Friday (29th October 2021) for Safe Zone breaches in Princes Town. According to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), on Friday evening, during a Safe Zone inspection duty, Police Offices visited seven (7) establishments in which they detected two (2) breaches at one location.

According to a Police report, Officers of the Southern Division and the Trinidad and Tobago Municipal Police Service went to a bar located along the Naparima Mayaro Road in which it was discovered that the proprietor was found facilitating an unvaccinated patron.

This is the second incident in which the proprietor was issued a fixed penalty notice for a similar breach. The unvaccinated patron was removed from the establishment.

Both men were subsequently issued fixed penalty notices in the amount of $25,000 and $5,000, respectively.

The TTPS is reminding citizens that Safe Zones are mandated by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago in which ONLY vaccinated citizens would be afforded in-house services to reduce the likelihood of the transmission of the COVID-19 virus.

The TTPS says it continues to visit Safe Zones throughout the country to encourage compliance and ensure the safety of owners and patrons.

UPDATE (01/11/21): According to Police, the three (3) friends were heading to a hike when the accident occurred. Their identities have been revealed. Details here.

A horrific car crash on Sunday morning (31st October 2021) claimed the lives of two (2) persons and left a third person critically injured. The identities of the victims were not immediately released by Police and Fire Officials.
​
According to reports, around 9am on Sunday morning the three (3) victims were in a blue Nissan Primera on the Northbound lane of the Uriah Butler Highway, when in the vicinity of Biljah Road near Tracmac Engineering, the driver lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a concrete culvert.

The vehicle flipped several times then crash landed on the Highway. Two (2) passengers were killed almost instantly. The injured driver was taken via ambulance to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Hospital.
Officers of the Chaguanas Fire Services, Police and Highway Patrol Units responded to the scene of the crash.
​
Road traffic fatalities for 2021 has now reached sixty-three (63), compared to seventy-five (75) over the same period last year.

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

[Source: Trinidad Express]

The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) is advising citizens of planned maintenance work in several areas across the country today (Sunday 31st October 2021). This may result in loss of electricity during these times. T&TEC says it regrets the inconvenience which may be caused by these interruptions.

See below for the maintenance schedule on Sunday:

​CENTRAL

CHARLIEVILLE (7am to 8am & 4pm to 5pm): Along Bovell Trace, Salim Avenue, Cemetery Street, Seegolam Street, Hibiscus Street, Emerald Gardens and Warner Village including Jordan Investment, Rex Kar Limited, Weatherford Building and all associated side streets.

SOUTH

SAN FERNANDO (8am to 5pm): From LP #103 to LP #A120 Lady Hailes Avenue, including Queen Street.

PENAL (8am to 2pm): From LP #44 to LP #113 Clarke Road, including Satnarine Trace, Wilosn Road, Clarke Mohess Road, Digity Trace, Digity Branch Trace, Jagmohan Trace, Teemul Trace. Napalia Trace. Napalia Branch Trace, Ramdharry Trace, Mahadeo Trace, Lake View Drive Petrotrin Road, Oliverie Drive and all associated side streets.

PENAL (8am to 9am & 1pm to 2pm): LP #57 to LP# 60 Rock Road, Penal including Lachoos Road, Sunset Drive, Smart Avenue, Legall Trace, Goodman Trace, Sammy Trace West, Ramlogan Trace, Briann Avenue, Solomon Knox Road, Bhagarattie Trace East, Mathurasingh and all associated side streets.

NORTH

PORT-OF-SPAIN (5am to 12pm): Along the Southern side of the Audrey Jeffers Highway - From Dock Road to Marriott Courtyard and all associated side streets.

PORT-OF-SPAIN (11am to 6pm): Along Duke Street - From Victoria Square West to Richmond Street and all associated side streets.

In a Media Release from the Ministry of Finance on Saturday (30th October 2021), Minister of Finance, Colm Imbert, advised that the supplementary list of basic food items that will be VAT-free (Zero-Rated) from Monday 1st November 2021, has been published as The Value Added Tax (Amendment to Schedule 2) (No. 2) Order, 2021; Legal Notice No. 259, dated 29th October 2021. The Order takes effect on Monday 1st November 2021.

It should be noted that the items on this list are in addition to the Items that have been VAT-free since 2016.

Below is the list of additional items which will carry zero VAT from Monday 1st November 2021:

The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) has issued a Hazardous Seas Alert (Yellow Level) for a total of eighty-seven (87) hours. The Alert started at 8pm last night (Saturday 30th October 2021) and will remain in effect until 11am on Wednesday (3rd November 2021).

According to the Met Office, Northerly high energy swells are expected to impact nearshore areas along Tobago, as well as Northern and Western coastlines of Trinidad. These swells can result in higher surfs and occasional battering waves. Conditions can be exacerbated during high tides.

All marine interests should carefully monitor the nearshore coastal sea conditions and exercise caution along affected areas.

Prime Minster Keith Rowley is departing for the United Kingdom today (Saturday 30th October 2021), where he is expected to participate in a series of high-level meetings.

Prime Minister Rowley, at the invitation of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, will attend the World Leaders Summit at the UN Climate Change Conference, COP 26, in Glasgow, Scotland. The Prime Minister, on completion of his meetings in Glasgow, is scheduled to meet with the leadership of BP in London.

While in London, he will also meet with Shell, where he is expected to sign the relevant documents, clearing the way for the development of the cross border Manatee gas field of the Loran-Manatee reservoir which is jointly owned by Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela.

The Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, Dr. Amery Browne and Minister of Energy and Energy Industries and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Stuart Young, will accompany the Prime Minister to these various meetings.

Meanwhile, Minister of Finance, Colm Imbert, will act as Prime Minster until P.M Rowley’s return on Saturday 6th November 2021.