Trinidad and Tobago: All food services, non-essential retail businesses to remain closed till May 23

Trinidad and Tobago: All food services and non-essential retail businesses will be closed until May 23, 2021, effective from May 4, 2021, announced Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley, during a press briefing held at Diplomatic Centre on Monday.Whereas all the essential businesses, including pharmaceutical products, groceries, hardware stores and others, will now operate from 6 am to 8 pm, said Prime Minister Rowley in the wake of rising cases of COVID-19 second wave.

The government would release a list of the categories of essential businesses which can remain operational during restrictions.

Prime Minister said the additional guidelines are issued to reduce the number of positive COVID-19 cases in the country. However, PM also emphasised discussing financial support to the people in need with the minister of finance.

The government announced to provide $5 million for food support to the vulnerable people. Ecclesiastical bodies would recieve $10 million to provide additional assistance to the people in need and PM announced that sum between $40-$50 million is under process to provide assistance to the people who the restrictions imposed by the government most effects.

Notably, the borders of Trinidad and Tobago has been closed since 2020, but the still country witnessed a spike in COVID-19 cases and related deaths. Prime Minister himself was tested positive last month, after which he had to stay in isolation under medical supervision for about 3 weeks.

Vaccination drive is underway in the country to attain herd immunity, but the path is not easy to achieve as vaccine supply is a significant concern for the country.

According to data, there are a total of 11,471 COVID-19 cases in the country, out of which 8,733 have been recovered so far. Trinidad and Tobago has reported 179 COVID-19 related deaths so far, out of which 5 deaths were recorded in the past 24 hours.