06 Jan 2021 | 11:30 AM UTC
Trinidad and Tobago: Authorities to maintain COVID-19-related restrictions through January /update 18
Trinidad and Tobago to continue enforcing internal restrictions and border closures through January due to coronavirus disease.
Event
Authorities in Trinidad and Tobago have stated that restrictions to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) will remain in place for at least the remainder of January. Officials intend to monitor COVID-19 infection rates over the coming weeks before considering amendments to the current measures. Previously announced international travel and domestic restrictions are listed below.
International Travel
The nation's air and sea ports remain closed to most foreign nationals. Authorities are only allowing repatriations for citizens and legal residents, including students, and cruise ship employees. International and regional flights and cargo vessels transporting food, pharmaceuticals, and cargo are permitted entry; however, unauthorized crews are not permitted to disembark vessels.
Returning nationals and authorized residents are required to present a negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test recorded less than 72 hours before arrival. Upon arrival, travelers who have been in the UK 14 days before arrival must complete a 14-day quarantine at a state or state-supervised quarantine facility. Stricter quarantine measures are in place for travelers from the UK due to the spread of a variant strain of COVID-19 in that country. All other passengers will be placed in a state or state-supervised quarantine facility for seven days; they will be tested on the sixth day and released once this test is negative.
Domestic Measures
Most nonessential commercial and recreational activity has been allowed to resume, albeit with established operating protocols and capacity limits. As of Jan. 6, authorities have not announced any changes to the following pandemic-related operating requirements:
Restaurants may offer in-house dining at 50-percent capacity with seating in groups of no more than 10 people; however, alcohol may not be sold.
Cinemas and gyms may operate at 50-percent capacity.
Casinos and members clubs may reopen at 50-percent capacity; the sale of food is allowed at casinos but not at members clubs.
Services at places of worship can be extended to 90 minutes at 50-percent capacity.
Sports teams engaged in national and international competitions may resume full activity.
All beaches and coastal waters are opened to the public 0600-1800. Rivers and ponds remain closed.
Teaching institutions will remain closed; a staggered resumption of in-person teaching will be considered from February.
Water parks are to remain closed, and contact sports are suspended.
Maxi-taxis and taxis may operate at 65-percent capacity.
Gatherings of no more than 10 people are allowed. Funerals may have up to 20 people in attendance.
The use of a facemask is mandatory for all individuals in public spaces.
Authorities could reimpose, extend, ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.
Context
Officials in Trinidad and Tobago initiated a phased approach to reopening the country in May to allow some economic recovery; however, some of the recovery efforts were previously rolled back due to higher confirmed case numbers. The reopening of borders is only slated to be considered in the final stage of recovery; though this time frame has not been announced.
Advice
Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements and business appointments. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance.
Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.
