In a change of events, National Security Minister Stuart Young says government will facilitate the return of “each and every” national abroad, but asks for patience as he says the process must be managed by a schedule so as not to overwhelm the public healthcare system.

He made the announcement as he addressed Wednesday’s  virtual media briefing. 

“All of our nationals who are not in Trinidad and Tobago who want to return, you will be permitted to return. What we are doing is we’re very carefully managing the process,” Minister Young said, adding “Believe you me, we do understand the difficulties each and every one of you nationals faces outside of Trinidad and Tobago wanting to return, as well as your families and what you are going through.”

Of the thousands of applications, each will be processed on a case by case basis, with the more urgent cases given preference in the earlier schedules. 

“I have nationals all over the globe, some of them  now saying they will charter their own aircraft to come in. From a fairness point of view that can’t be the test at this stage. Because it can’t be that someone can charter a plane and fly in will get precedence over some other who may have more needy cases,” he said.

Meanwhile, as the government expands the number of nationals allowed to return home, a request has been made to the the Royal Caribbean cruise ship to have the vessel used as a quarantine site. National Security Minister Stuart Young says government is awaiting word on their decision.