By Chantalé Fletcher
A PASSENGER positive with the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus made a false declaration upon entry to Trinidad and Tobago.
This according to the Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds in answer to an urgent question by Caroni East MP Dr Rishard Seecheran in the Lower House on Friday.
Dr Seecheran asked Hinds about the status of the investigation that allowed a T&T citizen to enter into the country as Covid-19 positive with the Omicron variant.
Hinds said, “On that day, a female citizen of T&T embarked upon a flight from John F Kennedy to Panama and then to Port-of-Spain using COPA Airlines.”
He said the passenger made a false declaration upon which the TTravel Pass was issued.
Hinds said on arrival in T&T, the information uploaded was verified.
In addition, he also congratulated the port health officials for identifying that the passenger had uploaded a negative PCR test as opposed to a positive test.
He said, “They identified the problem, isolated in the protection of us all, the passenger is now within the safe confinements of the step-down facility.
“While the other passengers were also isolated and the matter was now under police investigation as it passed regulations to make it a very ever offence with severe penalties.”
Hinds said he looked forward to the full range of the law being applied and the sanctions to go along with the circumstances.
When Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal enquired how the TTravel Pass was breached, Hinds described it as an honour system.
Hinds said, “The applicant was expected to speak truthfully and in honour, whereby there were at least five occasions within the application, to determine the physical or health status of the individual
“Upon arrival, it was only then the information was verified, the system worked, the person has been isolated and the police will do what they have to do.”
He said the TTravel Pass was constantly under review.
“We take into account international best practices and the recommendations of the Ministry of Health and as a result, this situation and any others will cause us to continue the review for making it better and stronger in the protection of the people of T&T against Covid-19 and its variants.”
