Malicious Facebook post regarding COVID-19 at the Ministry of Agriculture

March 13, 2020: In reference to a malicious Facebook post in the form of two questions directed to the Honourable Minister late on Friday March 13, 2020 regarding COVID-19 at the Ministry, the Ministry denies the allegations made in the form of those questions. Specifically, the poster Suzette Louwe asks whether a worker in the Accounts Department was quarantined today and if “she was tested positive or not for coronavirus”. The questions are malicious are intended to create fear and panic among Ministry staff, their families and the wider public. The Ministry recognizes that given its size, diversity, geographic spread across the country, and the extent to which many employees including the Minister himself interface with the public, there is heightened risk of exposure to the virus. Our agencies including ADB and Namdevco have taken steps to mitigate these risks and the Ministry has done the same. We continue to monitor what is taking place globally and what is happening in our country. The MALF is very cognizant of the existing climate as it relates to COVID-19 and as has initiated several protocol measures to protect our employees should any situation arise. We have partnered with Sanitec Limited a reputable provider of decontamination, sterilization and disposal services to respond to any situation our employees face regarding COVID-19. Sanitec already has a relationship with the Ministry’s Plant Quarantine Department and the Sugarcane Feed Centre.

 

We will continue to work closely with all our stakeholders to ensure that the health and safety of our employees and their families are no way compromised.

 

 

End

 

Download full release _____________________________________________________________________________________

 

Contact: Corporate Communications – Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries

Email:<A HREF=”mailto:comms.malf@nullgov.tt”>comms.malf@nullgov.tt</A>comms.malf@nullgov.tt