PM: Don’t blame Tobago for spike in COVID cases

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Gail Alexander

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has said that reduced COVID-19 compliance is all over the country and that Tobago should not be blamed for the current surge.

In a statement issued yesterday, Rowley said that even before Easter, the areas of spiking community spread of the virus were County Caroni and County Victoria.

Subsequently, the third most affected zone was St George East, he also noted.

“Well before the Easter vacation, I took the time out to raise with the national community the coming of a period of extended holidays and weekends centred around the Easter vacation, other holidays and religious celebrations,” the Prime Minister said.

“I appealed for a national recognition of our coming vulnerability and asked that even as we were getting tired of the stresses, that there were dangers if we relaxed and benefits to be had if we complied with an improved sense of personal responsibility.”

Rowley said that from the very onset of the pandemic, “We as a nation took the approach that we will rely on a national cooperating effort to minimise and suppress the virus until it can be overcome.

“That approach is still valid and I ask fellow citizens to do their individual parts in order to bring us the results we desire.”

“I am aware that not every citizen will see it this way but what we have to guard against is allowing the circumstances of the pandemic to further destroy us as a people wanting the best for ourselves, our families, our communities and our nation.”

He added, “It is in this regard that I reject any attempt to misrepresent the facts and the placing of blame on Tobago for hosting a few thousands who chose to spend their time in that part of the country with family and friends, or just strangers, enjoying the ambience that exists there. It is not where you spend your time, it is what you do there.”

Rowley said the datasheets from the Chief Medical Officer yesterday continued to confirm that the areas of accelerating increases of confirmed viral infection continue to be County Caroni, County Victoria and St George East.

“To set about to separate the people of Tobago or their tourism economy for special hatred is misleading and just plain wrong. Against the data set, it is unnecessary and purely divisive for politicians with nothing useful to contribute to be trying to establish that our current circumstances are as a result of a successful Easter weekend in Tobago.”

Yesterday, T&T’s total COVID-19 cases stood at 9,216 with 81 new cases and 157 deaths.

In addition to the list of other recent restrictions, from midnight last night until May 16, there will be no public gatherings for entertainment and concerts, public service employees will be rotated with a 50 per cent level operating quota, congregations at places of worship will be reduced from 50 per cent to 25 per cent and weddings and funerals will be limited to 10 people.

Prior to the media briefing, Rowley chaired a meeting of the COVID-19 Response Team with the Ministries of Health and National Security. Also attending was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Stuart Young.

In his post-briefing statement, Rowley said in response to the unwelcome rising numbers of infected persons and those needing hospital care, he had authorised some further restrictions on the exposure and movements of the population.

“I trust that you will see the need for these actions and undertake to comply.”

He said the problem of reduced compliance is all over the country, “And should be seen as such if we are to rectify the situation and get back to a level that could see us rolling back the recent restrictions. I ask for your individual cooperation. This and our abiding faith in God will see us through.”