PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – The mask mandate implemented in the twin island republic two years ago ends on Sunday.
This means that the public can do away with masks while in public spaces, but the mandate still applies to visits to health clinics, dental clinics, and hospitals.
Last week, during a press conference, Health Minister Terrence Dealing said individual businesses still have the final say on mask-wearing rules in their establishments.
He also encouraged using masks in settings where the risk of COVID-19 spread is high, saying it is a “common sense approach.”
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Roshan Parasram also stressed that wearing a mask would be based on an individual’s level of risk in a particular setting.
In response to the lifting of the mask mandate, the Supermarkets Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SATT), Rajiv Diptee, advised that the measure is optional for customers entering its stores.
In a recent statement, SATT welcomed lifting the mask mandate 17 but urged customers to be mindful of the risk of COVID-19 and wear masks during high traffic periods.
“We urge customers to carry a strong sense of personal responsibility for their protection as they go about their shopping needs. We want to remind you to measure your distance, ensure pocket sanitizer is in your possession and be mindful of your neighbor in the aisle and at the register,” the advisory noted.
Meanwhile, the Bankers Association of T&T, in a statement on Saturday, said it would be up to each bank to decide if they will allow customers into banks with or without masks.
The Association added that public members could visit their bank’s website and social media platforms for further details.
It further cautioned customers to continue practicing other safety measures such as hand sanitization.
The mandate to wear masks in public was implemented on August 31, 2020
and then 
