By Chantalé Fletcher
TOBAGO House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Farley Augustine says only essential workers will report for work on Monday.
“This island of Tobago is in a State of Emergency,” he said.
Augustine said, “Now is a good time to keep those phones plugged in and charged up. Ensure you have excess or extra batteries for those torchlights, ensure the lamps have oil, and get kerosene in excess. If a category four hurricane hits here there is a possibility that we will go more than a couple hours without electricity.”
The announcement was made as Category 4 Hurricane Beryl passes through the Eastern Caribbean from early Monday. Winds are expected to be in excess 130 miles per hour.
Augustine made the declaration during a virtual meeting on Sunday, as he updated the citizens of Tobago on their plans during the hurricane.
In addition, he announced that Roxborough and Scarborough General Hospitals will operate their Accident and Emergency will target any mishap during and after the hurricane. He said that all elective surgeries will be cancelled at health centres on Monday.
Therefore, all regular services such as clinics and elective surgeries have been suspended until further notice.
The Chief Secretary advised all schools both public and private will remain closed on Monday and until further notice.
Taking a proactive approach is commendable