One day after government revealed its plans to bring home the majority of the over 430 Trinidad and Tobago nationals who have been stranded on cruise ships as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it revealed that the first six are set to return home on Saturday. 

This was confirmed in a mid morning release from the Ministry of National Security,  which also stated that an additional group of 53 people will arrive on Monday (May 25th).

National Security Minister Stuart Young is said to be in discussions to facilitate the return of 300 nationals on board cruise ships.

During Friday’s sitting of the House of Representatives, Minister Young explained that this will be done via a schedule, in accordance with the capacity of the public health care system to absorb the groups upon their return.

In keeping with policy, all returnees will be required to undergo a mandatory State quarantine for 14 days. 

Minister Young also said previously that while government was willing to facilitate the process to bring the nationals on home soil, the process was not without its challenges. 

“We have not been provided with breakdowns per cruise ship and the particulars of where these various cruise ships are located,” he said,  adding that “this task has  been challenging as we do not have individual applications but rather we have a blanket application”.