Public events cancelled nationwide

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Numerous events have been postponed or cancelled as a result of the arrival of COVID-19 to Trinidad and Tobago shores.

They include:

EDUCATION

• Classes at all schools and universities to be suspended for at least one week. This was announced by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley in Parliament on Friday.

• All School Sports and Family Days. This had been announced by the Ministry of Education prior to the Prime Minister’s statement.

• International Conference on Emerging Trends in Engineering & Technology (IConETech) March 13 at UWI. Cancellation announced by UWI Engineering Department.

• UWI also announced the cancellation of the annual TechAgri expo. The University has a dedicated website for COVID-19 related updates and cancellations: https://sta.uwi.edu/covid19/

CULTURE

• Phagwah (March 13-14)–(Multiple locations) Cancellation announced by the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha.

• Postponement of the 40th Anniversary of the Point Fortin Borough Day Celebrations was announced by Point Fortin Mayor. Events were set to begin from April 11.

• Following the announcement, the event Jazz on the Hill hosted by Vaughnette Bigford was also put off. It was set to be held on April 29.

• The Tobago House of Assembly announced the cancellation of Tobago Jazz Experience 2020 yesterday (Friday 13) as a precautionary measure, given the threat of COVID-19.

• Tobago Easter Buccoo Goat and Crab Race Festival, set for Easter Tuesday, was also cancelled.

• The Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts announced that all performing spaces as well as the National Museum and Art Gallery, will be closed to the public with effect from Friday March 13 to 11.59 pm, Friday March 20, 2020. These spaces include NAPA, SAPA, Queen’s Hall and Naparima Bowl. All Community Centres, Regional Complexes and Civic Centres are also closed and the Best Village competition has been postponed until further notice.

• Annual Swaha Show 2020 —postponement announced by Swaha International yesterday

• Everybody Loves Raymond Concert—Centre of Excellence—Saturday 14 March. Cancellation announced by Raymond Ramnarine and his management via social media.

• Jamaica also announced the postponement of its Carnival parade of bands, set to be held on April 19 to October 25.

• DJ Private Ryan also announced the postponement of Soca Brainwash Jamaica. Caesar’s Army also announced the cancellation of Bacchanal Road Jamaica (April 12) and AM BUSH JA (April 18) in relation to COVID-19 concerns.

POLITICS

• The People’s National Movement has also announced the party’s Annual Baptist Liberation Day Celebration originally carded for Saturday 21st March has been cancelled. A walkabout by Political Leader Dr Keith Rowley as well as a national public indoor meeting set for today in Barataria has been cancelled.

• The United National Congress has taken a decision to postpone our Monday Night Forums until further notice. All Youth Arm events have also been postponed as well, UNC Public Relations Officer Anita Haynes confirmed.

• Chamber tours of the Red House (Parliament & Senate) have been suspended. The Trinidad and Tobago Parliament announced yesterday.

OTHER

• Licensing Committee hearings, which regulates the provision of Spirit Retailer’s, Wine Retailer’s, Hotel Spirit, Special Hotel, Restaurant, Night Bar, Spirit Grocer’s, Spirit Dealer’s, Wine Merchant’s, Moneylender’s, Pawnbroker’s and Members Club licenses have been adjourned for two months, the Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago announced. Date of expiration of existing licenses have been extended by 66 days.

• Trinidad and Tobago Transparency Institute (TTTI) Town Hall meeting scheduled for 2020 March 17 at the San Fernando City Corporation was rescheduled to date to be announced.

• Caribbean Art Therapy Week TT’s Art or Therapy Conference set for March 14 at the Department of Creative and Festival Arts, was also cancelled.

• Deaf Empowerment Advancement Foundation St Patrick’s Day Party – Saturday 14 March Dretchi, Wrightson Road. Cancellation was announced by the foundation.

SPORTS

• The Carifta Games, which was set for April 10-13 was postponed. President of the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC), Mike Sands confirmed yesterday (Friday).

• The Caribbean Netball Association also postponed Jean Pierre Under 16 netball Championship which was to be held March 27— April 4 in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

• Atlantic ‘Yes’ Awards (Primary School Champions Awards) which was carded for March 19, was postponed by the company.