My Life as a Journalist

Paula Lindo Thursday 2 April 2020 Image courtesy CDC There was no overnight change in the number of coronavirus cases in TT. The numbers remain at 90, with five deaths and one person discharged. The 10 am media release from the Ministry of Health said 621 samples had been submitted to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). Laboratory Confirmed COVID-19 Cases and Contacts in Trinidad…

Paula Lindo Thursday 2 April 2020 Approximately 140 US citizens were repatriated on Wednesday via a charter flight arranged by the US Embassy in TT. The flight, which left at noon, was scheduled to land in Miami. In a release, the embassy said this number added to the over 25,000,000 American citizens whom US embassies around the globe have helped return home because of the covid19 pandemic. A…

Paula Lindo Thursday 2 April 2020 As essential businesses remain open following government’s stay-at-home regulations, some have begun to put measures in place to ensure the safety of their workers during their daily commute, even as business levels drop. Unipet CEO Dexter Riley said sales had decreased sharply once covid19 became an issue in TT, and he expected it to continue to decline…

Paula Lindo Wednesday 1 April 2020 Warrior Empress – National Carnival Commission (NCC) chairman Winston “Gypsy” Peters said artistes who have not yet been paid their prize money for Carnival 2020 should receive payments next week. He said the NCC had been awaiting its subvention from the government in order to pay artistes. He said the covid19 issue had thrown the normal procedure back a bit,…

Paula Lindo Saturday 28 March 2020 Caribbean Court of Justice in Port of Spain, Trinidad. The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) recently gave its first advisory opinion concerning the interpretation and application of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC). The opinion was requested by the Caricom Heads of Government The case concerned a decision by the heads to include agricultural workers…

Paula Lindo Thursday 26 March 2020 Kamla Persad-Bissessar Leader of the Opposition Kamla Persad-Bissessar says she is pleased the Prime Minister has heeded her call for a 14-day shutdown of non-essential services. Dr Rowley made the announcement during Thursday’s post-Cabinet media briefing. In a release, Persad-Bissessar said the Prime Minister had no choice but to take her advice, as she…

Paula Lindo Thursday 26 March 2020 The Caribbean Examinations Council has announced 2020 CXC and CAPE examinations may take place in July, instead of May/June.Although the proposed revised administration schedule is July, the council on Thursday said it would be guided by national protocols across the region. CXC registrar and CEO Dr Wayne Wesley, in an online briefing out of Barbados, said the…

Paula Lindo Tuesday 24 March 2020 The Arima Business Association has proposed additional measures to lessen the burden on businesses and employees affected by restrictions imposed during the covid19 pandemic. The first proposal is for the reduction of all commercial rates to residential/personal rates, as, the body said, commercial entities pay higher utilities, rates and services. The…

Paula Lindo Saturday 21 March 2020 Ingrid Jules touches her husband Neville Jules’ casket as prayers are said at the Lapeyrouse cemetery prior to his burial on Friday. PHOTO BY AYANNA KINSALE – Ayanna Kinsale Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra arranger Leon “Smooth” Edwards was denied entry to the funeral of steelpan legend Neville Jules on Friday. The doors of the Trinity Cathedral were closed…

Paula Lindo Friday 20 March 2020 All elective surgeries at the Sangre Grande hospital are being rescheduled, and all other surgeries will be prioritised based on urgency. This action is among several operational changes the Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA) is implementing at all its health facilities as a result of the covid19 pandemic. These precautions began Friday and will continue…

Paula Lindo Thursday 19 March 2020 The sign welcoming visitors to Tunapuna. PHOTO COURTESY TPRC The Greater Tunapuna Chamber of Industry and Commerce (GTCIC) is appealing to citizens to follow guidelines of the ministries of Health, National Security and other established authorities when it comes to dealing with the covid19 outbreak. They said the current situation is not business as usual.The…

Paula Lindo Thursday 19 March 2020 Cabo Star. A crew member from the Cabo Star passenger ferry was taken by ambulance for testing this morning by the Ministry of Health, after showing flu-like symptoms. The Port Authority said all passengers and crew on the ferry must stay on board until test results have been received. The boat is docked at Port of Spain More details will be added to this…

Paula Lindo Wednesday 18 March 2020 President Paula Mae Weekes. Photo by Ayanna Kinsale President Paula Mae-Weekes is calling on citizens to remain calm in the face of the health crisis being faced by TT. She said empathy, kindness and compassion are paramount in this time. In a release, the President thanked medical personnel for their service and dedication at the frontlines of the fight.…

Paula Lindo Monday 16 March 2020 One of the new buses to service the Sangre Grande area. – Sureash Cholai There were cries of jubilation and excitement from residents of Sangre Grande and environs as eight new Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) buses pulled into the Sangre Grande depot on Thursday last week. With these buses, residents will benefit from an additional 42 trips per…

Paula Lindo Monday 16 March 2020 Senior citizens’ homes and children’s homes are putting measures in place to combat the transmission of the covid19 virus. These homes host some of the most vulnerable people in the population. At the All Saints Church Gordon Home for Senior Citizens in Port of Spain, chairman Brian Dyer said they had completely stopped all visitors from coming to the home, as…

Paula Lindo Monday 16 March 2020 The Prison Service has implemented new measures in an effort to prevent covid19 virus from entering the nation’s prisons. In a release, the service said visits to all prisoners would be limited to one per week. Only one visitor per inmate will be allowed on the prison compound on the specific days for remanded and convicted inmates. Visitors will also be…

Paula Lindo Sunday 15 March 2020 Imax Cinema, One Woodbrook Place. – Photo courtesy CinemaONE CinemaONE Ltd is implementing measures to combat the spread of the covid19 virus. The company said they will be taking all necessary precautions for the well-being of patrons who visit their theatres at One Woodbrook Place, Woodbrook. In a media release, CinemaOne said they will not be allowing more…