Trinidad and Tobago’s bungling up of the COVID Pandemic

As the number of COVID-19 infections gradually increased to five in Trinidad and Tobago, on March 16, 2020, Prime Minister Keith Rowley who returned to power through the 2020 elections announced that he was closing the borders. He stated that nationals who had travelled abroad would be allowed to re-enter the country after two weeks and would be quarantined on return. Then, on March 21, the government suddenly announced the indefinite closure of all its borders to everyone, including nationals and non-nationals, effective midnight on March 22. With no prior warning, citizens, including students, who had travelled abroad were suddenly locked out of their country and homes.

To date, the government has not been able to provide accurate information regarding the number of citizens stranded and where they are currently located across the globe. The number has ranged from 10,000 to 300,000 , out of a population of 1.3 million. 

From the graphical representation of the chronology of active cases on the island, the curve was essentially flat between May and almost the end of July. There were no deaths from April 7 to August 13. Rather than initiate an accelerated repatriation process during that four-months lull, the government continued to keep the borders locked to its nationals and informed them that they could not re-enter without first being granted an “exemption letter.” To date, the government has not been able to provide accurate information regarding the number of citizens stranded and where they are currently located across the globe. The number has ranged from 10,000 to 300,000 , out of a population of 1.3 million. With thousands still stranded and in need of exemption letters, and after having completed the screening of his party’s election candidates, on July 3, the Prime Minister declared that he had advised the President to dissolve Parliament that night and that the general election would be held on August 10.

Facing an imminent election, then incumbent Prime Minister Rowley disregarded the cries and pleas of stranded nationals to return to their homes, lives and loved ones. Instead, he used fear mongering in his 2020 election strategy to justify his decision. Along the campaign trail, he claimed that the people not allowed to return presented a threat to the health and well-being of the nation as they would  increase the spread of the deadly virus in the country, thus he was protecting the lives of those within the country by inhibiting their re-entry. He claimed that the citizens stranded abroad were affluent and living comfortably in  hotels. Soon, people in Trinidad turned against those left outside and began to spread the same false narrative among themselves and on social media.

Facing an imminent election, then incumbent Prime Minister Rowley disregarded the cries and pleas of stranded nationals to return to their homes, lives and loved ones.

By this time, the humanitarian crisis deepened. Those who had budgeted limited funds for their short-term travel began to run out of money for food, medicine and shelter. Many who were staying with family and friends were asked to seek alternative accommodations. Those with pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, and so on, needed medical attention and could not afford the astronomical out-of-pocket costs of medical visits abroad. Added to this, in the US, Trinidad and Tobago nationals whose authorized stay had expired were required to pay US$455 to acquire an extension to  remain legally in the country.

Eventually, many unable to afford rent were evicted. Forced into poverty and homelessness by their own government, many had to spend nights sitting in waiting rooms in hospitals and airports. Others lost contact. Those with health conditions often suffered mental breakdowns. The News came in that some even tried to self-harm and attempted suicide. We have been gathering hundreds of stories from stranded nationals of Trinidad and Tobago, and all have been similar in their pain and struggles. In addition, the further impact on their lives include separation of parents from young children, divorces, missed funerals, destroyed businesses, unemployment and financial ruin, severe depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, among others. 

Countries like Barbados and, most recently, the UK, continue to call on the government of Trinidad and Tobago to take responsibility for its citizens abroad and end the physical and psychological trauma that they have brought upon their own.

The government stated that they allocated US$205,000 in financial aid to 298 stranded citizens. Many in desperate need were unable to access the funds because the Trinidad and Tobago overseas missions were either closed, not answering the phones, or being unkind to those who reached out for financial assistance. The application requirements were unreasonable, for example, downloading and scanning documents, which the grave cases especially could not fulfil. In addition, a September deadline was set by the government without any announcement of further aid beyond that date.

Countries like Barbados and, most recently, the UK, continue to call on the government of Trinidad and Tobago to take responsibility for its citizens abroad and end the physical and psychological trauma that they have brought upon their own. Religious and other community leaders in Trinidad and Tobago maintain a deafening silence and perceptible indifference to the suffering of their nationals. In effect, they are relinquishing their constitutional and moral obligation and thus revealing their own human frailties and shortcomings. Meanwhile, at the time of writing this article, the number of COVID-19 active cases on the island has now reached 5,154 with 93 deaths. This spread may be attributed to the continued illegal entry of Venezuelans and other foreign nationals through the island’s unsecured coastlines, and lack of mask-wearing and social distancing during the election campaign rallies. Two peer-reviewed proposals for accelerated repatriation of nationals were sent by medical experts to the Prime Minister which were disregarded.

Why is this article relevant to an Indian audience? Because, at last estimate, at least 20 stranded citizens of Trinidad and Tobago are still scattered in Gurgaon, Vrindavan, Calcutta, Rishikesh, Varanasi, Mumbai, and parts of Haryana, among others, and have found shelters thanks to the loving care and hospitality of India.

Why is this article relevant to an Indian audience? Because, at last estimate, at least 20 stranded citizens of Trinidad and Tobago are still scattered in Gurgaon, Vrindavan, Calcutta, Rishikesh, Varanasi, Mumbai, and parts of Haryana, among others, and have found shelters thanks to the loving care and hospitality of India.

The tradition of our common ancestors teaches us to live and serve along the principle of ātmano mokṣārtham jagat hitāya ca – for the salvation of our individual self and for the well-being of all on earth. It also teaches us that our common humanity makes us interconnected. We are one family. There is no other or stranger among us – vasudhaiva kutumbakam, an ethical framework around shared values. No one should have to bear the onerous burdens of hardship, suffering and discrimination that our stranded brothers and sisters are facing daily. We wait for an apathetic government to find its heart and conscience, and respond effectively to the calls of its citizens. Their physical health is weakening, and their psychological toll is heart-wrenching. Here we are – still waiting and hoping.