NEWS
Ministry, PAHO nervous as omicron BA.5 variant arrives in Trinidad and Tobago
There is growing nervousness among medical professionals about the lifting of mask mandates both locally and regionally, with the growing presence of the omicron BA.5 variant in the Americas. CMO Dr Roshan Parasram said the BA.5 variant had been detected among 20 samples sent for genomic testing at the University of the West Indies last week, meaning it is present in the TT population. Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) director Dr Carissa F Etienne, speaking at PAHO’s media conference on Wednesday, said a growing proportion of cases in the Americas are being caused by the BA.4 and BA.5 sub-lineages and this is driving new. Read more here
Police search St Dominic’s, St Mary’s Children’s homes
Police officers went to the St Mary’s Children’s Home in Tacarigua on Wednesday, as their investigations into the 1997 Robert Sabga report into abuse at children’s homes across the country grew wider. Officers also visited the St Dominic’s Children’s Home in Belmont for the second time in as many days yesterday. On Monday, acting Senior Supt Claire Guy-Alleyne, who is heading the investigation into the contents of the Sabga report and the recent Justice Judith Jones Report, led a team of about a dozen officers to St Dominic’s in the company of three victims who claimed to have been sexually abused at the home during their stays there. Read more here
POLITICS
Health Minister: Larger countries hoarding monkeypox vaccine
Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said, similar to the situation with covid19 vaccines when they were first developed, monkeypox vaccines are being hoarded by larger countries, making access to them difficult. At the Health Ministry’s covid19 media conference on Wednesday, Deyalsingh said TT remains in the market for antivirals and the Jynneos vaccine. “Something rather unfortunate is happening on the vaccine front. I had hoped we would have learned from covid19, but we are seeing once again where globally the bigger, wealthier countries are stockpiling vaccines for their populations, leaving smaller countries like TT at a disadvantage. I’d like to use this platform to make an appeal that the monkeypox vaccine should be made available on a more equitable level to all countries based on, not only their population size but, their risk profile and so on.” Read more here
Govt not considering work-from-home legislation...yet
As the Government moves to finalise a work-from-home policy for public servants, there is confirmation that legislation is not the route it will take. Minister of Labour Stephen Mc Clashie made the revelation at during C-Suite Conversations: The Future of Work at the Hyatt Regency, Port-of-Spain, yesterday. For almost two years, employees have been working from home due to COVID-19. However, now that the pandemic is waning, many have returned to their offices. Read more here
BUSINESS
Mask off: Business excited for the removal of mandate
It will be a breath of fresh air for businesses and citizens alike come July 17, when the mask mandate is lifted. For the last two years, staff and patrons alike have been required to wear masks, face coverings or face shields, in an effort to stymie the spread of covid19. From next Sunday, people will no longer have to wear face coverings, with certain limitations, and will be able to move freely and interact in businesses, restaurants and on the streets without fear of being fined for breaching the public health protocols. Read more here
DeNovo’s Zandolie delivers first gas
DeNovo Energy, which is part of the Proman group of companies, yesterday announced the delivery of first gas from its Zandolie field, located in the Gulf of Paria. The unmanned minimum facility is DeNovo’s second offshore field development to be completed in Block 1 (a). With an investment of US$52 million ($353 million), Zandolie is a single well, conductor-supported platform with a nameplate capacity of 40 million standard cubic feet per day. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘Count on us’
President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Wednesday, reaffirmed the importance of Guyana’s development and trade partnership with Canada. The Head of State spoke during the “Canada Day” celebration hosted by the Canadian High Commission here at the High Commissioner’s residence in Georgetown. During his remarks, President Ali said the relationship that Guyana is building with its friends and development partners is one that is seamless. He maintained the importance of dialogue and strong conversations which lead to results. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Ukraine war: Russian rocket attack kills 20 in Vinnytsia
Russian missiles have struck the central city of Vinnytsia, killing at least 20 people including three children, Ukrainian officials say. Ninety more were reported wounded in the attack, to the south-west of the capital Kyiv and far from any front lines in the conflict. Three Russian missiles hit an office block and damaged residential buildings. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called it "an open act of terrorism". The missiles hit the car park of the nine-storey office block at around 10:50 (0750 GMT), Ukraine's State Emergency Service said. Residential buildings were also hit in the centre of Vinnytsia, which has a population of around 370,000. The Russian defence ministry, which denies targeting civilians, has yet to comment on the strike. Read more here
14th July 2022