COVID-19: Regulation No. 13 brings ease of restrictions

On the 10th May, 2020, the Public Health [2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)] (No. 12) Regulations 2020 were revoked and replaced by the Public Health [2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)] (No. 13) Regulations 2020 (‘Regulation No. 13’). Regulation No. 13 updates the measures and restrictions imposed by the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

These Regulations have effect from 11^th May 2020 to 24^th May 2020 and are part of the following six phase plan announced by the government for the ease and eventual lifting of Covid-19 related restrictions:

1. 1. 1. Phase 1 (10^th May – 23^rd May): the reopening of food establishments and the recommencing of street vending with restrictions against seated dining and on-site consumption; an extension of the permitted opening hours for hardwares; approval given to certain manufacturers to recommence operations; a change in government policy to no longer dissuade outdoor exercise (contact sport is discouraged and gatherings of more than five remain prohibited);
      2. Phase 2 (24^th May 2020 – 6^th June): the reopening of the entire manufacturing sector; the resumption of all public sector construction;
      3. Phase 3 (7^th June 2020 – 20^th June): the resumption of operations by the entire public service; consideration will be given to increasing the permitted capacity of public transport to 75%;
      4. Phase 4: the reopening of malls and beaches;
      5. Phase 5: the reopening of cinemas; and
      6. Phase 6: the reopening of the borders (outbound travelers may be permitted to leave on a phased basis before this phase is fully implemented).

The government indicated that if there is no spike in the country’s Covid-19 rate of infection, consideration will be given to bringing forward the commencement dates of the respective phases. It follows that if a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases occurs following the introduction of any phase, the restrictions may be reintroduced and/or other arrangements would have to be made as necessary.

In keeping with the above phases, the changes to the local framework by Regulation No. 13 are:

1. 1. 1. Outdoor and other sporting activities in any public place are permitted provided that no more than five (5) persons may partake;
      2. Services and workers engaged in construction related to agriculture and food production are now included among the essential services;
      3. The permitted opening hours for hardware stores have been extended and are now 8 am to 4 pm every day; and
      4. Street vending, retail food services, delivery and take away food services are now permitted to be open to the public until 8 pm every day. Seated dining at a restaurant and the onsite consumption of any food or beverage provided by a street vendor are prohibited.

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