By Chantalé Fletcher
BEACHES and rivers in Trinidad and Tobago will now be opened to the public from Monday with no more restrictions on time.
This was announced by the Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh at the virtual presser on Saturday on behalf of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.
Deyalsingh stated that all other caveats will be applied which were to wear masks once out of the water, no alcohol, partying or open fires.
“The only thing being lifted was the time limits for beaches and rivers. All other measures in the Public Health Regulations will apply. So, you don’t have to pack up and leave the beach by five, you can take advantage of the evening sunset.”
Deyaslingh said Safe Zones currently cannot be frequented by children under the age of 12 because they were not vaccinated.
He added, “So a child, who would like to go into a safe zone with their vaccinated family, from Monday, they will be able to accompany their vaccinated parents and siblings into a safe zone.”
Deyalsingh said that all employees and all other accompanying family members must be vaccinated.
He urged parents to do their risk assessment of whether taking their unvaccinated 12-year-old and under into a safe zone was worth it.
In addition to the owners, Deyalsingh asked that they step up screening at the door, to ensure no one with fever or flu-like symptoms, especially the staff, was allowed to enter, to protect those 12 and under.
In terms of the adjustments, Deyalsingh said, the numbers were continually looked at and the decisions were made based on that.
He said, “The allowing of children under 12 who are not vaccinated to get back into a social life and go to places previously not allowed, will help tremendously with their mental health and their families and they can go out with families.”
