Curfew Orders as it relates to Curfew PartiesPlease be advised that the that regulations made under the State of Emergency do not prevent gatherings on private premises. One of the regulations provides that, except with written permission of the Commissioner of Police, no person shall hold or take part in a public meeting or march. A "public meeting" is a meeting is a gathering or assembly of persons called together for the purpose of the transaction or discussion of matters of public interest. If persons gather at a bar or club, their purpose there can hardly be said to be for discussion of matters of public interest. They are there primarily to lime or drink. This is not a "meeting" contemplated under the regulations. In any event, the regulations prohibit "public" meetings and not every meeting. A public meeting is stated as being a meeting "held out of doors". Therefore, even if one does hold a meeting to discuss matters of public interest, once it is held indoors it is not a public meeting and therefore not banned by the regulations. Even in respect of certain types of public activities there are exemptions. Religious services or meetings held under the auspices of the head of any religious denomination are permitted. So too are educational classes, cinema, theatre and other cultural shows. Almost all manner of sports are allowed: cricket, football, boxing and other bona fide sports. In summary, therefore, no police officer can prevent persons from gathering indoors to hold a meeting of any sort. Further religious and sports meetings/gatherings may be held in public without the need for any police permission. The Curfew Order simply requires persons in these areas not to be "out of doors" during the curfew times (unless they have a pass). If persons, therefore, choose to have a party inside their house, even in the areas under curfew, that is fine as long as they do not come out of doors during this time. If you are in the yard of your house during curfew hours technically this means that you are out of "doors" and passing police officers would be within their rights to ask you to go inside. Public Affairs UnitTrinidad and Tobago Police Service
Curfew over ppl! Rejoice! SOE still in effect. 1 thing though, the early morning road carnage will be sure to resume.
