Trinidad and Tobago to receive 80,000 doses of Johnson and Johnson vaccine

Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago stated that the country is expecting to receive 80,000 Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine from the Africa Medical Supply platform. He said the first batch would arrive in August 2021. He also stated that a shipment of Sinopharm vaccine would arrive in the country on Thursday. PM referred to the shipment as a 'significant amount of doses.'

After a massive COVID-19 wave, the government is also endeavouring to change its stand on border closure by offering exemption arrangements in certain cases to start travel within the upcoming 4 to 6 weeks.

PM Dr Keith Rowley also held discussions with Caribbean airlines, and another meeting is expected today (8 June 2021).

Due to heavy flooding, the government have also allowed hardware shops to open in some areas across the country. The operations can be conducted from 8 am to 3 am between Monday (June 7, 2021) and Tuesday (8 June 2021). The permission has only been given in Siparia, Point Fortin, Sangre Grande, Tunapuna and San Juan.

The government continue to advise people in the selective age groups to get their COVID-19 vaccines. Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh on Monday received his second shot of the AstraZeneca vaccine at the Queens Park Savannah's Paddock. He had received his first shot of the vaccine at the St Joseph Health Facility on April 6.

Trinidad and Tobago is currently under a state of emergency, lockdown and curfew due to the rising numbers of coronavirus cases. Hospital beds are rapidly growing, authorities stated that in Couva Facility over 144 beds are occupied by COVID-19 patients, while in Caura Facility 61, Augustus Long Facility 48, St Anns Facility 21, Arima Facility 69, Point Fortin Facility 73, Scarborough Facility at Fort King George 29, Scarborough Facility at Signal Hill.