April 21, 2020
Location: Trinidad and Tobago
Event: The U.S. Embassy Port of Spain advises U.S. citizens that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago’s Stay at Home order remains in effect until April 30. These measures have been implemented to limit the spread of COVID-19 and U.S. citizens are advised to limit movement outside the home to authorized purposes and essential business only. U.S. citizens are further advised that everyone is required to wear masks covering the nose and mouth in public.
Grocery stores will continue to remain open until 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and until 4 p.m. on Sunday. Pharmacies remain open daily until 8 p.m. As of April 7, all restaurants, including delivery, remain closed until April 30.
Citizens are advised to follow the Stay at Home order and to remain at home unless they are part of the essential staff of essential businesses, or for essential trips such as to grocery stores or pharmacies. Citizens are further reminded that gatherings above five persons is prohibited at this time.
Note that individuals out in public may be stopped by law enforcement and asked to justify their movement. The Embassy advises carrying your ID with you; if you fall under essential staff at your place of employment, you may wish to request an authorization letter from your employer. Anyone determined to have breached this public health ordinance may be found liable for a fine of TT$50,000 and imprisonment for up to six months.
For a complete list of essential and non-essential services and businesses and other details, please view the complete Public Health Ordinance and visit the Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of National Security page.
We ask all U.S. citizens to please pay attention only to authoritative sources of information, such as U.S. Embassy messages, the embassy website, and our official social media feeds (links below) for the most current and accurate information on embassy efforts to assist U.S. citizens and to provide them with updated local information. Unofficial social media platforms, word-of-mouth, well-meaning friends, and other forms of secondhand information are often unreliable, containing inaccurate information. Please encourage concerned friends and family to visit our website to confirm the validity of any information.
U.S. citizens experiencing symptoms, or who have reason to believe they have been exposed to COVID-19 are advised for their own health to stay at home and contact the Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Health at +1 (868) 627-1047; 1 (868) 623-8492; +1 (868) 627-0010; +1 (868) 627-0012; +1 (868) 627-0014, and follow their instructions. Government officials in Trinidad and Tobago have taken significant steps to mitigate risk and ensure the health care system will be available to those who require life saving measures. For more information on the GOTT response please visit releases from Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Health.
If you need emergency assistance please contact us by email at ACSPOS@state.gov or by telephone at 868-622-6371. Please do not come to the embassy without contacting us in advance.
The U.S. Embassy Port of Spain asks all U.S. citizens in Trinidad and Tobago to complete the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at https://step.state.gov/step/. STEP is a free service to help the U.S. Embassy contact American citizens in an emergency.
For the most up to date information from the U.S. Embassy Port of Spain in real time, please also check the embassy’s Facebook Page, Instagram (@USinTT), and Twitter feed (@USinTT) and the embassy’s website.
Actions to Take:
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Trinidad and Tobago.
- Monitor local media outlets.
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information and for the CDC’s latest recommendations on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the U.S.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Port of Spain
15 Queen’s Park West
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Telephone + (868) 622-6371
Emergency + (868) 622-6371, then press 1.
Fax + (868) 822-5955
Email: acspos@state.gov
Website: tt.usembassy.gov