By Sue-Ann Wayow
COMMISIONER of Police, Gary Griffith, will be back out to duties on Thursday after his mandatory two weeks quarantine since returning from Ireland.
And his first order of business would be to visit beaches and bars where people continue to gather in very large numbers.
In a press release issued by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) on Tuesday, the TTPS stated, “The CoP noticed that citizens have become relaxed with the reduced Covid-19 positive cases, and despite pleas and warnings, a large number of people still do not wear masks in public. He said it came to his attention that thousands of persons converged on beaches throughout the country last weekend and the cry was the same, ‘no masks.’”
Griffith said, “It is not that I am going after people and giving them tickets where the fine is $1,000.
“But they must be responsible at this time as two of the measures to prevent the spread of the virus are to wear your mask and maintain social distancing. That was not the case last weekend.”
Griffith said it was brought to his attention that thousands visited Maracas Beach last weekend and not one ticket was issued although reports revealed that many persons were not wearing masks nor maintaining social distancing.
He also has taken note of numerous social media posts showing many people not wearing masks in public as well as large groups congregating outside bars particularly in the St James, Woodbrook, and Carenage areas.
He commended the Eastern Division for the law enforcement of the public health regulations.
The TTPS stated that within the past two months, 1,573 tickets were issued and 78 persons arrested for breaching the Public Health Ordinance Regulations in the nine Police Divisions. Of this number, 1,058 tickets were issued in Eastern Division and 37 persons arrested.
And Griffith is appealing to citizens to inform the police if they observe large gatherings.
