Government has introduced what it refers to as a new “liberal” exemption policy to allow easier access for Trinidad and Tobago nationals who want to return home.

Speaking at Saturday’s COVID-19 press conference, National Security Minister, Stuart Young, said following detailed consultation with the Ministry of Health, a decision has been made to separate countries into two categories- low risk and medium to high risk.

Low risk refers to countries with no or sporadic spread of the virus, while countries with cluster or community spread will be treated as medium to high risk. 

The characterization of countries is in accordance with the World Health Organization.

The announcement of the new policy comes one week after Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley revealed that more nationals will be allowed to return home. 

As it stands, 1,702 nationals have applied to return from United States, 372 from Canada, 307 from the UK and 103 from Barbados.

To date 3,563 exemptions have been granted by the State. 

See the clip below of National Security Minister detailing how exemptions from both categories of countries will be treated: (Video Courtesy state media, TTT lIMITED)