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Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar is concerned that the regulations under the current State Of Emergency are silent on the status of political parties during this period.

Mrs. Persad Bissessar last night said political parties operate in spaces, which are accessible to members of the public, yet they are not covered by the State Of Emergency.

She is calling on the government to correct what she sees as a breach of the country’s democracy.

Mrs. Persad Bissessar said just as provisions are made for trade unions, political parties must be considered for their services to the public.

Mrs. Persad Bissessar said her party supports initiatives aimed at saving lives in this pandemic but it also holds on to its right to raise concerns.

Police have held 6 people for breaching the curfew, which is now in place.

The 6 were detained on the first night of the 9pm to 5am curfew.

Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith yesterday said officers were instructed to exercise a bit of leniency as people were still in the process of collecting curfew passes which would allow them to be on the roads.

He said his officers were flexible on Sunday but that would have changed last night.

Commissioner Griffith warned people that if they did not have permits they would be in, for what he called, a degree of difficulty when stopped by officers during operations.

He said even with the passes, police officers could still stop people and ask about their destinations.

According to the Commissioner the passes are not a get out of jail free card.

Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith feels people are confused about the real purpose of the State Of Emergency, which is now in effect.

At a news conference yesterday Commissioner Griffith said over 250,000 requests were made for curfew passes.

The number of requests changed to over 300,000 later in the afternoon.

Commissioner Griffith said while some groups may have gotten passes during the last SOE in 2011, this one is different in nature.

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley declared the State Of Emergency last Saturday.

The President of the Republic proclaimed it last Sunday evening.

The SOE is in effect because of the rising COVID-19 deaths and infections in recent weeks.

Commissioner Griffith also said police officers will use their discretion in certain circumstances.

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh gives an assurance of continued vaccination.

The country is expecting the arrival this week of 100,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine.

The Minister says the State Of Emergency announced on Saturday will not stop the roll out of the shots.

Minister Deyalsigh said it would be given in 2 doses.

He was speaking at the COVID-19 media update last Saturday.

On her Facebook page, Opposition Senator Jiyanti Lutchmedial slammed the late publication of the regulations.

She said the State Of Emergency might not have been properly thought out.

Senator Lutchmedial said the SOE appears to be “by vaps” as many questions remain unanswered.

She wants the government to say what powers will the police and/or army have and the limitations on the constitutional rights of citizens.

Ms. Lutchmedial is also asking for the regulations to be made public.

She believes the regulations should have been shared the moment the Prime Minister called the SOE on Saturday.

Trinidad and Tobago enters its first week under a COVID triggered State Of Emergency.

The rising number of deaths and new infections forced the government of Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley to declare the State Of Emergency.

According to Dr. Rowley attempts were made to avoid it.

More than 24 hours after the declaration by the Prime Minister, the President of the Republic Paula Mae Weekes proclaimed the SOE.

According to the emergency powers enacted by the President, anyone violating the regulations will face a hefty $250,000 dollar fine.

The regulations were accompanied by the standing Public Health Regulations aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19.

The regulations outline several restrictions on activities, which include outdoor sports and exercise along with the 9pm to 5am curfew.

The regulations include a ban on gatherings in public places and the holding of public parties or public fetes and the closure of private pre schools and similar establishments.

Water parks, restaurants and bars are closed and the regulations allow the Defence Force to act with the police service.

The regulations say the Chief of Defence Staff under the Defence Act, shall hold his forces in readiness to assist and if called upon by the Commissioner of Police to cooperate with and assist in the performance of his duties.

The last time the twin island republic was in a State Of Emergency was in 2001.

The then government of Kamla Persad Bissessar declared the SOE as a response to a crisis level crime problem.