Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Farley Augustine has announced that Tobago is operating under a State of Emergency, as the island prepares for a direct hit from approaching category four hurricane, Beryl.
Speaking at a news conference this afternoon Augustine stated that as a result the island’s healthcare services have been limited to emergency care at the Roxborough and Scarborough Hospitals, while all schools will remain closed until further notice.
Elective surgeries scheduled for tomorrow have been cancelled while health centres will remain closed. Those employed by the THA have also been asked to stay home with the exception of essential workers which include road maintenance workers, public health, CEPEP and URP workers, agricultural workers and property managers.
The island’s supermarkets, groceries and variety stores have been asked to remain open for at least three more hours today to ensure that members of the public in need of supplies can access them before the hurricane makes landfall.
Tobago’s Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), Augustine said would be making use of the traditional radio systems at its shelters as well as Starlink services gifted to it by TTSalvage, the company contracted to remove the overturned Gulfstream vessel.
Augustine asked residents to prepare themselves, with extra batteries, kerosene, canned foods and to take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety over the course of the night.