TT Ministry of Health hosts stakeholder meeting on COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)

#Port-of-Spain, February 13, 2020: On Wednesday the Ministry of Health hosted a meeting with national stakeholders to address the local response to the Novel Coronavirus, now called COVID-19.

The Honourable Terrence Deyalsingh, Minister of Health, welcomed participants to the meeting which formed part of the Ministry’s continued efforts to work collaboratively with partner entities to ensure that the Trinidad and Tobago population is protected from the global spread of COVID19. Today’s meeting, which was Chaired by the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Rosham Parasram, included representatives from the Ministries of Works and Transport, Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, Tourism and National Security together with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). Representatives from the Maritime Services Division, Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority, Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, Immigration Division, Customs and Excise Division, Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, Tourism Trinidad Limited, the Shipping Association of Trinidad and Tobago and the International Air Transport Association came together to discuss matters of national interest with public health experts. Mr Asif Ali, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Tedwin Herbert, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Ag.) of the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs were also in attendance.

Topics under discussion included: the current status of COVID-19 from an international and regional perspective, the confirmation of the roles of key entities and clarification of travel restrictions into the country. During this meeting participants also had the opportunity to address challenges surrounding this new public health issue.

The Ministry of Health remains committed to providing the appropriate support, care and information to the general public as we continue to safeguard the health of our population.