Wickham voices disapproval of decision taken by T&T

Political Scientist Peter Wickham has described the decision by Trinidad and Tobago to close its borders and refuse entry to its own citizens as “shameful!”

On Monday, 33 nationals of the twin republic who flew out of England, were left stranded in Barbados when its government refused to re-open its borders to accommodate them.

Trinidad and Tobago closed its borders on Sunday night as part of its overall effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus there.

In speaking on the situation while moderating the Down To Brass Tacks programme, Wickham said it was disturbing that such a decision was taken by the Trinidadian government, due to the impact it would have on its citizens.

The pollster, in recent weeks has been vocal in siding with the Barbados government's decision to not close borders at this stage.

“This whole idea that persons have been saying about shutting down a border is absolute nonsense. When you close a border, it creates all kinds of implications and what we are seeing now are the problems being created…Trinidad should know better and should not close its borders period!” he stressed.

The Trinidad and Tobago nationals are currently here in mandatory quarantine.

Wickham said in considering the facts around the virus, closing borders in certain circumstances was “illogical”.

Speaking on the criticisms by some members of the Barbadian public on the sea to air transfers allowed by government for those cruise passengers left stranded due to the global shutdown of the cruise industry, he suggested these were unfounded.

“You can’t just do leave them out there. You are dealing with human beings,” he insisted.