PRIME Minister Dr Keith Rowley who is in quarantine in Tobago says the island should not be blamed for an increase in Covid-19.
In a press release on Wednesday following a meeting with high-level officials, the Prime Minister reminded the population of previous appeals to adhere to Covid-19 health regulations.
At the Ministry of Health’s virtual media conference also on Wednesday, officials stated that the increase in Covid-19 cases stemmed from possibly large congregating during the Easter long weekend earlier this month.
Dr Rowley said, “Today, in response to the unwelcome rising numbers of infected persons and those needing hospital care I have authorised some further restrictions on the exposure and movements of the population. I trust that you will see the need for these actions and undertake to comply.”
He added that national cooperation was necessary for the reduction of the spread and once again appealed for adherence to health protocols.
Posted on the Office of the Prime Minister Facebook page with his release was a graph depicting Covid-19 cases recorded for the weeks February 21 to April 17, 2021.
Dr Rowley said, “I reject any attempt to misrepresent the facts and the placing of blame on Tobago for hosting a few thousands who chose to spend their time in that part of the country with family and friends or just strangers enjoying the ambience that exists there.
“It is not where you spend your time it is what you do there. For those who see political opportunities in these trying circumstances, I want to remind them that even before Easter the areas of spiking community spread were in County Caroni and County Victoria. Subsequently the third most affected zone was St George East.”
The Chief Medical Officer data sheets on Wednesday continue to confirm that the areas of accelerating increases of confirmed viral infection continue to be County Caroni, County Victoria and St George East, Dr Rowley said.
“To set about to separate the people of Tobago or their tourism economy for special hatred is misleading and just plain wrong. Against the data set it is unnecessary and purely divisive for politicians with nothing useful to contribute to be trying to establish that our current circumstances are as a result of a successful Easter weekend in Tobago,” he said.
The Prime Minister also said the problem of reduced compliance was all over the country and recent restrictions can only be lifted if compliance by all increased.
