The Ministry of Health has confirmed that consumption of alcohol is permissible at businesses operating as Safe Zones, from today, Monday 1 November 2021, according to an advisory issued by the Ministry late last evening.
This means that restaurants, bars, cinemas and other entertainment businesses bearing the Safe Zone designation, are free to serve alcohol to their customers, who must consume such within the premises, as it is still prohibited to consume alcohol outside of these premises, under the existing COVID-19 Regulations.
The following is the full text of the statement issued by the Health Ministry on the matter…
Statement on the Consumption of alcohol on the premises of Businesses operating as Safe Zones – Statement No. 13
Port of Spain, 31st October 2021: The consumption of alcohol is permissible from 1st November 2021 on the premises of Businesses operating as Safe Zones pursuant to Regulation 6 of the Public Health [2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-n CoV)] (No. 21) Regulations, 2021 (or any subsequent replacement Regulations).
Pursuant to Regulation 6 of the Public Health [2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-n CoV)] (No. 21) Regulations, 2021 (or any subsequent replacement Regulations) and Regulations 3(1) and 3(10)(ao) of the Emergency Powers (No. 2) Regulations, 2021, which take effect on Monday 1st November 2021, the Minister of Health hereby authorises the consumption of alcohol ONLY on the premises of Businesses operating as Safe Zones pursuant to Regulation 6 of the Public Health [2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-n CoV)] (No. 21) Regulations, 2021 (or any subsequent replacement Regulations).
All Owners and Operators of Businesses and Customers are reminded as follows:
1. Only the following businesses may operate as Safe Zones PROVIDED THAT they meet the requirements of the Safe Zone policy as delineated in Regulation 6 of the Public Health [2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-n CoV)] (No. 21) Regulations, 2021 (or any subsequent replacement Regulations):
a) restaurants;
b) bars;
c) a common gaming house, betting pool or office licensed under the Gambling and Betting Act;
d) a cinema or theatre licensed under the Cinematograph Act;
e) a private members’ club licensed under the Registration of Clubs Act;
f) a theatre under the Theatres and Dancehalls Act;
g) gyms and fitness studios; and
h) waterparks.
2. The consumption of any food or drink or alcohol and/or in house dining is permitted ONLY on the premises of Businesses operating as Safe Zones.
3. The consumption of any food or drink or alcohol outside the premises of Businesses operating as Safe Zones or on the roadside of Businesses operating as Safe Zones, remains strictly prohibited.
All persons are advised to comply strictly with the (other) legal requirements of the Emergency Powers (No. 2) Regulations, 2021, the Public Health [2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)] (No. 21) Regulations, 2021 (or any subsequent replacement Regulations) and the public health guidelines.
The Ministry of Health will continue to monitor this development and take steps to safeguard the health of the population.
