Coronavirus precautions in place says Minister

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With thousands of cruise visitors expected to arrive in the country today, Tourism Minister, Randall Mitchell, is assuring that the relevant authorities are taking all precautionary measures to prevent the coronavirus from entering the country.

Mitchell explained yesterday that the Ministry of Tourism through its inter-agency linkage, will closely monitor the situation that has arisen due to the global concern in respect of the coronavirus alert to ensure that the population of Trinidad and Tobago is not adversely affected by the perceived threat of the virus.

He assured that the Ministry of Tourism is closely collaborating with CARPHA to ensure that measures are put in place to safeguard public health and that updates and bulletins will be disseminated to the primary stakeholders in the tourism sector through the Tourism and Health Programme, which involves CARPHA, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Tourism.

Almost five thousand cruise visitors, including passengers and crew, of the MSC Preziosa Cruise line are expected to visit Trinidad today.

It will be the first cruise ship to arrive in the country since the virus was discovered.

Minister Mitchell noted that most of the ship’s passengers are from Italy, France, Germany, England Portugal, Martinique, Guadeloupe and other countries.

The cruise ship visitors will be greeted by what the Minister described as “an exciting cultural presentation, which includes entertainment by Moko Jumbies and other Carnival characters.”

He said: “While hundreds of the visitors are expected to go on pre-arranged tours to popular tourist sites and attractions, others will remain in the city and get a glimpse of our restored Parliament Building.”