Covid19 protective measures for border reopening

CMO Dr Roshan Parasram has predicted a mix of testing and quarantine for people entering TT when the country's borders are re-opened. He said the opening of the borders would have to be done on a phased basis and measures would have to be put in place to safeguard against coved19 re-entering TT. He was speaking at virtual presser hosted by the Ministry of Health at 10 am on Monday morning.

He said phases of re-opening might include nationals vs non-nationals, regions and countries, depending on the level of covid19 in those particular territories, adding that it was likely that everyone coming through our borders would be asked to self-quarantine if the covid19 levels did not drop substantially in different countries.

Dr Parasram said three measures would likely to be put in place: thermal scanners at the airports, home-quarantine for travellers for at least 14 days upon arrival, and possible state quarantine in the case of high-risk travellers.

TT fully closed its borders to all arrivals on March 23. Before that, on March 1 the government had imposed restrictions on people who had travelled to or were returning from China, Italy, Japan, Singapore and South Korea. Those restrictions were later expanded to include travellers from France, Germany and Iran on March 11. Nationals and permanent residents were told they would be subject to a 14-day quarantine upon entry. On March 16, entry into TT’s borders was restricted to everyone except citizens, residents and essential staff.

When the border closing announcement was made, the Prime Minister advised all citizens who were not able to make it home by the closing date, to shelter in place. The National Security Minister said anyone wishing to enter the country would have to write to him and appeal for exemption on a case-by-case basis.

Thus far, two large groups have been allowed into the country since the borders were closed. The first, a group of 33, returned from Barbados on March 18, while 69 people returned from Suriname on May 1. Both groups had to pay their way home. At least 70 nationals remain in Margarita, 35 in South Africa, one citizen who lives and works in Sudan, and others are stranded on cruise and cargo ships.

Citizens of other territories, especially the US and the UK, have been allowed to leave TT on specially chartered flights arranged by their governments.

Cargo flights and vessels have been allowed to enter and leave the country’s airports and seaports, but no-one has been allowed to disembark.

The Prime Minister has said that any decision to re-open the borders would be made with the input of the CMO and other health professionals.