Effective Monday, July 20th, bars will be permitted to operate between the hours of 8am to 10pm, allowing them two additional hours to service patrons.

This was announced by Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh, during Saturday’s COVID-19 media conference.  

It comes after several protests staged by the operators, who accused government of discriminately targeting their businesses and “crippling” their profitability. 

The Bar Owners Association of Trinidad and Tobago was in the process of exploring legal options, in a bid to get the state to extend their opening times. The matter was being entertained through attorney Anand Ramlogan SC. 

The current Public Health Regulations- which is due to expire tomorrow, July 19th, was being amended by the Attorney General, according to Deyalsingh, to include the new allowance for the bar owners and operators. 

“We are asking again, as we do this measure, that both patrons and bar owners use the opportunity to continue to play their part in operating and using these facilities responsibly,” he said.