Disaster Management Units (DMUs) in the various regional corporations in Trinidad will be assisting the Ministry of Health in ensuring that citizens in all municipalities receive their protective cloth masks.
Confirmation has come from Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Senator Kazim Hosein, in an official statement released today.
In addition, the DMUs also will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services, to ensure that families in need in all municipalities receive food hampers.
According to the ministry’s release, the Units also are facilitating public service announcements in all electoral districts in Trinidad, to keep citizens informed of best practices and latest developments.
Minister Hosein has commended regional corporations for the many proactive and progressive measures that have been implemented, particularly their sanitisation efforts and initiatives in their regions, as this country continues to fight COVID-19.
He reminded the Mayors, Councils and Chairmen of the regional corporations that they all must exercise a ‘duty of care’ towards employees in the fight against the COVID-19 virus, noting that staff must be properly equipped with the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and required resources.
In addition, the Municipal Corporations were reminded of their important role in providing essential services to citizens such as timely garbage collection and the execution of public sanitation services, particularly during this time.
Minister Hosein also made an appeal to the public, to cooperate with the municipal bodies.
“We understand that the corporations provide essential sanitation services that are of paramount importance to all burgesses and, therefore, are kindly asking that an ‘all-of-community’ approach be adopted in maintaining cleaner and healthier surroundings,” he said. “We also encourage burgesses to contact their Public Health Units for information and advice as this situation evolves.”
The minister added: “As citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, we need to heed the Government’s call to stay home and minimize the spread of this virus. Continue to be your brother’s keeper and encourage each other to heed the guidelines put in place for our own safety.”
The Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government is a member of the Cabinet-appointed Standing Committee to deal with public health concerns and emerging infectious diseases.
It reports that it has provided the Ministry of Health with Geographic Information System (GIS) maps illustrating population data, to assist with the mapping of COVID-19 cases and contact tracing. It also notes that members of the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (TTDF) located at the Sangre Grande Quarantine Centre have been supplied with mattresses, to further improve their accommodations.
Following on from the most recent COVID-19 Regulations, the Ministry has mandated Municipal Corporations to carry out the following:
1) Disseminate all notices regarding COVID-19 from official government channels and health authorities, above all the Ministry of Health, to burgesses, using appropriate communication channels such as mobile public address systems, social media and flyers.
2) Public Markets/Abattoirs;
a. Conduct information/sensitization sessions with all vendors, to be delivered by the respective Public Health Departments
b. Increase frequency of sanitization exercises
c. Where possible, install hand sanitizer dispensers or install hand washing stations
d. Prioritize truck-borne water/water trucking deliveries to vulnerable burgesses, especially in rural communities;
e. Engage existing volunteer networks to garner support of all stakeholders, including corporate citizens (Business Associations and Chambers of Commerce) in support of persons in need and those being affected by the economic slow-down.
3) Increased Municipal Police presence (patrols) across all beaches, rivers, recreation grounds, markets, abattoirs, cemeteries and cremation sites to ensure that the law is obeyed and gatherings are discouraged. This is in keeping with the Government’s guidelines following the amendment to the Public Health Ordinance, in light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
In the ministry’s statement, Minister Hosein also extended a special commendation to Municipal Police Officers and sanitation workers, who are on the frontline of the fight against the COVID-19 virus, for their unwavering commitment to duty. He also advised them to adhere to all hygiene guidelines while on duty, noting that their safety is of utmost priority.
PUBLIC HEALTH UNITS CONTACT INFORMATION
Port of Spain City 299 – 0870 Ext. 2501/2502/2506
San Fernando City 652 – 2543
Arima Borough 612 – 4222 Ext. 117
Chaguanas Borough 665 – 5320 Ext. 3057, 3058
Point Fortin Borough 648 – 4570
Diego Martin 632 – 0713/6459
Tunapuna/Piarco 645 – 9077 Ext. 1203, 1204, 1205, 1208
San Juan/Laventille 675 – 0280 Ext. 1208
Sangre Grande 668 – 2461 Ext. 123, 125, 131
Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo 636 – 9054 Ext. 1239, 1240, 1242
Princes Town 655 – 3494 Ext. 222, 242, 260
Mayaro/Rio Claro 644 – 2261 Ext. 5033
Penal/Debe 647 – 8622/ 647 – 0961 Ext. 119
Siparia 649 – 9894