Two days after Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh denounced the hosting of house parties that encourage illegal gatherings which can promote the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the T&T Police Service (TTPS) had cause to arrest 25 people at a party in Marabella.
This latest incident occurred at a house on Ninth Street, Gopaul Lands, Marabella around 11.30 on Thursday night.
Of the 25 arrested – three are teenagers aged 13, 14 and 16.
After observing numerous cars parked along the street and hearing loud music coming from the location, residents alerted police who arrived to find the 25 people playing music, smoking, dancing, and consuming alcohol.
Officers from the Marabella Police Station led by Insp Ramlogan, Sgt Maharaj and Cpl Singh arrested the group whose ages range from 13 to 42, and found that while the majority of them were from neighbouring areas – several of them had come from as far as Diego Martin and La Horquetta.
The teenagers were released into the care of their parents to be charged by summons.
The group are expected to appear before a San Fernando Magistrate on Tuesday, charged with breaching the Public Health Regulations.
In a release yesterday, the TTPS thanked Marabella residents for their trust and partnership in seeing something and saying something as the TTPS continues to detect and deal with breaches of the Public Health Regulations, in its bid to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
This incident follows two similar parties in St Augustine and Mayaro during the last two weeks, which health officials said posed a threat to communities as new infections are on the rise across the country.
And with the Delta variant circulating in the population – there are worries that any spikes in cases could lead to the parallel healthcare system becoming overwhelmed.—Anna-Lisa Paul
