We are more than two weeks into Phase 5 of reopening the economy. Almost all businesses are open though with restrictions, such as limited opening hours and protective measures. Bars started by closing at 10pm but this was quickly reduced to 8pm as many did not adhere to the social distancing and other guidelines. Senior care homes still don’t allow visitors, parties and party boats are banned, while gatherings in public spaces are now limited to 25. Schools won’t open until September though public examinations are still proceeding.
There have been about 13 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Trinidad since my last post, and all were nationals tested in state quarantine. Many hundreds, potentially thousands, have been allowed back into the country, mostly from cruise ships. The government’s careful handling of this massive exercise has certainly prevented any community spread of the virus.
There’s been a definite relaxing of precautions as everyone now feels that there is no Coronavirus spreading in the country. While masks and hand sanitising are required on entry to most establishments, I no longer bother with these precautions when meeting friends. I went to my Rotary Club’s end-of-year dinner last Saturday, where we took off masks on entry to the dining room. There were about 24 people in the room with no more than 4 to a table, separated from each other by a good 8 feet. Our group photo had us all wearing our masks. Still cautious. This is the ‘new normal’.
My worry is that we have a leaky border with Venezuela. Boatmen caught with contraband and refugees brought over from Venezuela don’t seem to enter our quarantine programme. So they could be the source of a second wave.
I had planned to go to Maracas Beach on the first day that beaches and rivers were re-opened. But I was thwarted by the ‘unhealthy’ plumes of Sahara Dust that are still plaguing the country. Then, earlier this week, civil unrest over the police shooting of 3 men caused citizens to lock down again. Thankfully, our police force reacted quickly and forcefully to quell any rioting, but these are uneasy times. Tragically, a female bystander was killed in a shootout. Best to just stay home.
For those interested, I wrote a short article on “Being a Writer in 2020‘” for various archives recording pandemic experiences. It is posted under the ‘My Writings’ tab on TriniSue.com.
