Trinidad police to monitor COVID-19 patients in home quarantine
Published:Friday | September 18, 2020 | 2:05 PM
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) says it will be monitoring persons who have tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) and confined to home quarantine, amid reports that these persons have not been adhering to protocols to remain indoors.
Police commissioner Gary Griffith said that the TTPS, through the 85 Emergency Response Patrol (ERP) vehicles and other patrols in all nine divisions, will be involved in the stepped-up activity.
“The police officers will visit the homes. The patient will come out with his or her mask, identify himself or herself, and then go back indoors. The officers will not be going into the homes,” Griffith said, adding that this initiative is aimed at curtailing community spread.
Trinidad and Tobago has recorded 3,434 positive cases of the virus with 1,905 being active.
The health authorities said that 2,061 patients have been placed in home isolation under the continuous monitoring of the respective offices of the county medical officer of health.
This does not include those who are in quarantine awaiting results, having been a primary or secondary contact.
Griffith said that it has come to the attention of the TTPS that persons who have tested positive for the virus and placed in home quarantine have been breaking the public health regulations.
He said there were reports of COVID-19 positive patients leaving their homes and going out to supermarkets, pharmacies, shops, gas stations, and restaurants.
He said there are also reports that some of these person have been entertaining family and friends at their homes, although they were advised to stay in isolation.
Griffith noted that it is an offence under the Quarantine Act to break quarantine and that this carries a fine of TT$6,000 or six months in prison.
He said that several persons have already been charged.
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