Trinidad and Tobago to reopen borders from July 17

The borders of Trinidad and Tobago are expected to reopen on Saturday, July 17, 2021, but there will be restrictions on access. Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley addressed the media on Saturday. PM Rowley stated that a fully vaccinated person is defined as someone who has received both doses of a WHO-approved vaccine, and two weeks have elapsed since the final dose was administered.Those who are fully vaccinated and provide evidence of a negative PCR test, not older than 72 hours, do not need to quarantine, while the underage children of parents who have been fully vaccinated will be permitted to directly go home. The Trinidadian Prime Minister stated that unvaccinated people must have a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before their entry into the country. Besides this, a fourteen-day quarantine at their own expense is mandatory for unvaccinated citizens or legal residents. Prime Minister stated that the people who are not residents or nationals of the country would not be permitted to enter the country if they are not vaccinated against the coronavirus. Dr Rowley said the Attorney General would work on legislation that would provide adequate punishment for people trying to infiltrate the system.Other limitations and relaxations

• Only government construction will reopen on Monday, July 5. Construction in the private sector will then be considered for reopening.
• Curfew hours for weekends will remain 9 pm to 5 am for the entire July month.

Furthermore, PM Dr Rowley said Trinidad and Tobago would be able to expect a major vaccination program in July, based on the upcoming scheduled acquisition of vaccines.St Vincent and the Grenadines donated 4,000 doses of vaccines. These vaccines will be used for second doses. He noted that the government is close to acquiring and delivering more than 200,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccines in early July.Furthermore, Prime Minister stated that the government received confirmation in mid - July of a consignment of 33,600 doses of COVAX. At the same time, the vaccinations from the African Medical Supplies Platform are expected in the coming weeks.In the past week to ten days, Dr Rowley said there had been progressing, and positive contact with the United States regarding the vaccine commitment by the Biden-Harris administration and that discussions would be concluded very shortly.