T&T’s National Security has lifted the Alert State from Yellow  to Orange, with immediate effect, to deal with the COVID-19 virus. And all vacation leave for police officers has been cancelled. This, according to top cop Gary Grffith is “in response to the directives of the Chairman of the National Security Council (NSC), Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, and in the need to ensure citizens adhere to their responsibilities.” If it becomes necessary, the TTPS will move its Alert to the highest level, being Red. The lowest level is Green. As a result, he says the TTPS will increase its patrols throughout the country, with all 85 Emergency Response vehicles being operational at all times throughout the country on a 24/07 basis until further notice, with support from the Highway Patrol, inclusive of the newly established TTPS Motor cyclist patrol, comprising over 100 motorbikes. The TTPS has received reports that some social establishments are still open for business, with people still congregating in large numbers, some gambling establishments operating behind closed doors, people are still turning up at closed beaches, and a few restaurants are still accepting in-house dining. Commissioner Griffith says so far, the TTPS has been successful in moral persuasion by getting citizens to adhere to the recent amendment to the Public Health Ordinance, however, with the increase in cases and the refusal of some to stay within the law, he says the TTPS will be moving one step forward to ensure the laws are not broken. All applications for vacation leave by police officers will be restricted at this time, except in emergency cases to have the majority of officers available during the time of crisis.