Deyalsingh urges political parties to obey COVID laws

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Rishard Khan

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Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh says he was shocked to see reports of People’s National Movement (PNM) supporters openly flouting COVID-19 regulations during a campaign meeting which the Prime Minister attended in Roxborough on Wednesday night.Since the pandemic hit T&T last March, the Ministry of Health and Government mantra to the public has been to avoid public gatherings, wear your mask and social distance.

But during a Tobago House of Assembly campaign meeting at the Cyd Gray Sporting Complex in Roxborough on Wednesday, PNM supporters openly flouted these regulations as they intermingled with each other as they danced to soca star Farmer Nappy’s Backyard Jam, moments after Rowley had delivered the feature address.

While some supporters wore masks, others didn’t and there was no social distancing as the meeting took on a Carnival-like atmosphere. Tobago health officials are now concerned that there could be a spike in COVID-19 infections on the island following the election.

Asked about this Guardian Media during yesterday’s Ministry of Health virtual press conference, Deyalsingh said: “Any gathering, whether it’s a political gathering, whether it’s a PDP gathering, a PNM gathering, a UNC gathering – we have submitted our protocols to the Elections and Boundaries Commission and we urge all political parties in Tobago to adhere to those.”

He added, “Any gathering, whether it’s political by any political party – this carnival period we have to be concerned. So yes we are concerned.”