Police officers in several Divisions had to disperse thousands of people who had assembled outside Health Centres this morning to receive the Covid-19 vaccines.
It became clear very early that persons, many of them elderly, began assembling outside the vaccination sites around 6 am to receive their vaccines. The vaccination roll-out was being done as first-come, first serve. By 9 am, videos and photographs revealed crowds of persons waiting in long lines with absolutely no social distancing.
There were hundreds of persons in lines in areas such as Diego Martin, Carenage, Chaguanas, Ste Madeline, La Horquetta, and Arima.
As soon as Commissioner of Police, Gary Griffith, became aware of the situation, he gave instructions that officers of the TTPS take charge of the situation in the various Divisions, and if it became necessary, to shut down these sites for the day.
Police officers swung into action and dispersed the large crowds in various areas.
Commissioner Griffith says he will be meeting with Health officials today to ensure that a better system is put in place for the vaccine rollout in the future.
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