By Sue-Ann Wayow
MORE than 250,000 names have been submitted by organisations asking for permit passes during the State of Emergency (SOE) for their employees, family members and others.
At a Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) press briefing on Monday, Griffith said the requests for curfew permits were overwhelming adding that he worked nonstop since the declaration of the SOE on Saturday reviewing requests.
He said he received 2,800 letters from various organisations with the listed names and more letters were coming in “fast and furious by the thousands.”
He said, “The pass is seen as an opportunity to show who I am.”
The top cop said he received requests from company directors, roti shop owners, accountants, PH drivers, offshore workers and many others.
Griffith said, “Based on the requests that I have seen so far for curfew passes, it seems that many persons do not understand the intent for this State of Emergency.”
He said this SOE was unlike any other because it was more difficult fighting an invisible enemy in the Covid-19 virus.
Griffith said the main point of this SOE was to reduce the movement of persons including those deemed as essential.
NAMDEVCO will adjust hours
He knocked state-operated National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO) saying he was aware of a memo being circulated to markets informing them that they will continue to open at 3.30am as customary.
“That is unbelievable. This is where responsibility comes in. You are saying that as an essential service you intend to open as per normal at 3.30am. Persons have completely misunderstood the concept of operations here.” the Griffith said.
He said the public was still not acting responsibly enough and the law will be enforced if the need arises.
Not because an essential service was being provided, that does not give anyone the right to operate within the curfew period, Griffith emphasised.
Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat told AZPNews.com, “The Facebook posting by NAMDEVCO was made without my knowledge and also without the publication of the SOE and new Covid regulations. NAMDEVCO intends to fully comply with the two sets of regulations and adjust the market hours accordingly.”
On May 15, NAMDEVCO posted that all their markets have been declared an essential service and will remain open at their regular hours to serve the public and to kindly follow all safety protocols at facilities.”
And the commissioner also gave a warning to persons who may want to host curfew parties or have larger gatherings that will be visited by the police.
The TTPS made a plea to those applying for permits to have proper justifications as to why it was absolutely necessary to be outside during the curfew hours of 9pm to 5am.
