Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley’s Media Conference on COVID-19 – Saturday October 10th 2020:

After consultation with medical experts, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley announced some new adjustments:
- Gatherings now limited to 10 people.
- Funerals now limited to 20 people.
- CAL to operate six flights to Tobago with Public Health Measures in place (mask wearing, social distancing).
- Exemptions granted to Buccoo Reef and Caroni Swamp tour operators for business. However, all beaches remain closed to the public.

Prime Minister Rowley said religious gatherings will not be allowed for at least another two weeks. This also applies to bars and restaurants. He is hopeful the number of COVID-19 cases will go down by then so further adjustments can be made.

PM Rowley expressed disappointment in the Public Service adjustments over the past few weeks as he noted that some people have been abusing the system. He said poor management is to blame as there was “a general free for all” in people not reporting for work. He said a 50% rotation in the Public Service is still required, and Management and Heads must always be out to ensure workflow and people are reporting for duty when they must. The Head of the Public Service will instruct Managers to keep a written roster at all stations.

Prime Minister Rowley acknowledged that there have been tremendous stresses and strains on the economy because of the Public Health restrictions. He noted that a lot of funding was required to keep the country going during the lockdown, but the economy can be damaged in the short and medium term if another occurs. Therefore, Government is being even more careful in its response to the virus.

The Prime Minister said he is hopeful that the sacrifices made now will not lead to spikes and further turnarounds but will ensure citizens are not overwhelmed by COVID-19 by the time Divali and Christmas come around.

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley said he has seen a dramatic improvement in people wearing masks in public and appealed for continued cooperation on the Public Health Measures. He said the decline in new COVID-19 cases is no reason to drop our guard.

Epidemiologist Dr. Avery Hinds reported that the initial downward trend of COVID-19 cases continues, but the decreases are slowing down from 35% in the first week, to 22% in the second week, to 12% this week. Cases are plateauing at the moment (in the 50s).

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Roshan Parasram reported that there has been an additional COVID-19 related death. The COVID-19 death toll for T&T now stands at 90. Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said T&T can expect one death per day if COVID-19 cases do not plateau at 50 a day.

National Security Minister Stuart Young confirmed that there will be flights from New York, Toronto, and Barbados to T&T this week. The priority is to bring home those persons who went abroad on short trips but were stuck outside our borders since March. There has been an increase in the number of applications to return home.

Minister of National Security Stuart Young confirmed that as of the October 6th, 5,284 exemptions were granted for persons to enter T&T, and 7,208 exemptions were granted for persons to leave T&T (with 1,952 over the last month alone).

Today is World Mental Health Day. Dr. Parasram said the Ministry of Health ran a Mental Health Week from October 5th to 10th under the theme "Mental Health for All." Dr. Parasram said COVID-19 has affected the mental health of many, and the numbers are expected to increase.

Видео Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley’s Media Conference on COVID-19 – Saturday October 10th 2020: канала TTT Live Online