Trinidad and Tobago reopens borders

(CMR) After more than a year of keeping its borders closed, Trinidad and Tobago reopened its borders on Saturday, 17 July. However, foreigners who are not vaccinated will not be allowed into the country.

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley said that the reopening of the Piarco International Airport would accommodate vaccinated and unvaccinated citizens, but only vaccinated non-nationals would be welcomed.

“We expect to recognize three categories of people. Category One are citizens of Trinidad, and Tobago vaccinated. Category Two, citizens of Trinidad and Tobago unvaccinated and Category Three, other persons vaccinated,” Dr. Rowley said.

He reiterated, “non-nationals of Trinidad and Tobago, who are unvaccinated and let me repeat that non-nationals of Trinidad and Tobago who are not vaccinated against COVID-19, will not at this time be allowed to enter Trinidad and Tobago.

“Nationals of Trinidad and Tobago, who are fully vaccinated, and a fully vaccinated person is defined as a person who has received the required number of doses of a WHO (World Health Organization) approved vaccine and have been two weeks since the final dose was applied, such a person who is a citizen or legal resident in Trinidad and Tobago would be allowed to enter, having shown proof of a negative PCR test, less than 72 hours or less, such a person will be allowed to travel into Trinidad and Tobago without a hindrance and will be allowed to go home.”

Returning citizens or residents who have not been vaccinated will be required to go into state-supervised quarantine for 14 days and must show proof of a PCR test not older than 72 hours for entrance into the country.

State-supervised quarantine facilities would at approved hotels persons will quarantine at their own expense.

Children who are not vaccinated will be allowed to enter the country once accompanied by their vaccinated parents and allowed to go home from the airport.

The prime minister warned that persons who would seek to beat the system would “feel the full brunt of the law.”

The government noted that it was satisfied with the ongoing national vaccination program and urged people to get vaccinated in order to allow for the further re-opening of the country.

The country is expected to receive 4,000 doses of vaccines from St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the next few days.