The Office of the Chief Secretary is today reminding the public that restrictions pertaining to sea bathing as outlined in the Legal Notice No. 339, The Public Health Ordinance, [2019 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (2019-nCoV)] (No. 29) Regulations, 2020 are in effect.
Persons are advised that tours to the Buccoo Reef Marine Park can resume with immediate effect, in keeping with Prime Minister, Keith Rowley’s announcement at a recent press conference (October 10). However, the OCS advises visitors to the Buccoo Reef Marine Park to operate in accordance with The Public Health [2019 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (2019-nCoV)] (No. 29) Regulations, 2020, which cite:
4.(1) For the purpose of controlling and preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus, it shall be an offence, during the period specified in regulation17, for any person to-
(a) be found at or in any beach, bay, river, stream, pond, spring or similar body of water, including the waters around any island off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago, or any public pool for recreational purposes.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1)(a), tours of the Buccoo Reef or the Caroni Bird Sanctuary shall be permitted where-
(a) the tour does not exceed fifty percent of the ordinary capacity of a tour;
(b) persons on such tours wear an appropriate face mask, face shield or face covering; and
(c) persons on such tours are not allowed to disembark the vessel, to engage in bathing or swimming in any of the waters of Trinidad and Tobago.
Chief Secretary, Ancil Dennis said in a media release this afternoon that “we’ve got to do this in phases and not rush to liberalize too quickly. We are already grappling with economic challenges on the island, and we do not want to add a healthcare crisis to the equation. I’m sure we remember the panic and logistical nightmare created by the lockdown of Tropikist Hotel some time ago. So let’s be cautious.”
The OCS encourages all residents of and visitors to Trinidad and Tobago to abide by the regulations as stipulated in The Public Health Ordinance, CH. 12 No. 4 Regulations issued by the Ministry of Health of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
COMMENTS