Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley has announced government’s decision to lift the restriction on in-house dining, permitting restaurants to operate at 50% capacity.

As he made the announcement on Saturday, the PM noted that alcohol will, however ,not be allowed to be served.

“Alcohol has been shown to be one of the contributors of the results that we don’t want, where people consume alcohol and it reduces their level of responsibility,” Dr. Rowley said.

Tables must not exceed 10 persons for in-house dining.

For the same reason, government has taken a decision to maintain the existing restrictions on bars for another two weeks.

Here are other announcements made during Saturday’s press briefing.

-Cinemas have been granted permission to facilitate food at their business places. They must continue operations at 50% capacity.

-All sporting teams engaged in national and international competition can go back into “full activity”. Support of teams is limited to groups of ten- other spectator crowds remains banned.

-Caribbean Airlines is to facilitate more flights between Trinidad and Tobago.

-Beaches remain closed- restriction on rivers remains in effect.

-Religious services extended from 1 hour to 90 minutes.

-Persons returning to Trinidad must have a negative PCR test done at least 72 hours in advance in order to be permitted entry. Upon arrival, state quarantine is mandated for seven days. On the sixth day in quarantine, another test will be done and if a second negative result is received, the person will be allowed to go home.

Dr. Rowley says government will continue to take a very measured approach in easing restrictions, with hopes of being able to resume physical classes in January.

“We will not be able to do that by throwing up our hands in the air and saying this is party time,” he said.