Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley's Media Conference On COVID-19 - Saturday May 29th 2021

Key Points from Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley's Media Conference On COVID-19 - Saturday May 29th, 2021 Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley announced that regulations will be prepared to ensure restaurants remain completely closed at this time. This, as he noted that many food establishments have been preparing and packaging food to sell at essential services outlets, thus encouraging congregation. He reminded that restaurants and bars are closed because they encouraged gatherings. He said proprietors are trying to find a way around the regulations to keep their business going, but this is undermining what Government is doing to prevent COVID-spread. Hardware stores will be closed for the next week. Prime Minister Rowley also announced that a daytime curfew will be enforced on the Indian Arrival and Corpus Christi public holidays this week. He said the Attorney General will be asked to make adjustments to the Regulations to prevent movement and congregation on the holidays. He said it will not be a free for all in the daytime, and curfew at nights. People must only come out for an emergency, or for essential activity. The 9PM - 5AM curfew remains in effect at this time. The Prime Minister acknowledged comments from some sections of the business community on a possible change in hours, but he said the 9PM to 5AM curfew is the most sensible at this time. The Government of Grenada will be donating 10,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines to T&T. The vaccines, which Grenada received through COVAX, will arrive here tomorrow. The Prime Minister also announced that two substantial payments were made for COVID-19 vaccines, thus enabling T&T to accelerate its COVID-19 Vaccination Programme. He said starting in June, there will be a flow of vaccines and vaccinations - all free of charge to the population. The Prime Minister said the 100,000 Sinopharm vaccines will now be used as first doses for the population, as a second tranche will be coming in. PM Rowley said vaccines are NOT being sold to private sector entities at this time - they are being made available to Governments only. However, he said the TT Government has not put restrictions on the private sector and he will be the "happiest person in the world" if the sector gets vaccines. PM Rowley stated that high level talks continue with the US on securing COVID-19 vaccines. Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh announced the start of the Second Dose Roll-out of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines from June 7th for the 60,000+ persons who would have received their first dose over the past two months. Five Mass Vaccination Sites will be used to administer the second dose: - National Racquet Centre, Tacarigua - Mayaro Sport Facility, Mayaro - UTT - Monroe Road, Chaguanas - The Paddock, Queen’s Park Savannah - SAPA, San Fernando The Ministry of Health aims to vaccinate 1,000 persons per day across the five Mass Vaccination Sites. Health officials will contact persons to receive their second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. They must walk with their Immunisation Card and ID Card. Minister Deyalsingh confirmed that 175 persons in Elderly Homes have been vaccinated so far. He urged guardians of senior citizens in long-stay homes to sign the Consent Forms to get their elderly relatives vaccinated. PM Rowley said he intends to get vaccinated for COVID-19 when he gets the all-clear from his doctors. He said, "I want to survive and as soon as it is clear for me to get vaccinated, I will get vaccinated." Chief Medical Officer Dr. Roshan Parasram confirmed one case of Vaccine-induced Thrombocytopenia Thrombosis in a person who received the AstraZeneca vaccine. The person is doing very well and is under the care of Dr. Kenneth Charles, a haematologist. Dr. Parasram also gave an update on confirmed COVID-19 Variants of Concern.: P1 (Brazilian variant) 100 cases recorded B117 (UK variant) 9 cases recorded.