 The Central Statistical Office reopens in time to lead the local observance of World Statistics Day 20th October 2020. Closure of the office earlier this month was prompted by a number of employees within the unit reporting flu-like symptoms. Permanent Secretary Claudius Immanuel has confirmed that these individuals have since tested negative for the coronavirus. Back at work, statistics officials are leveraging World Statistics Day to sensitize the public on the upcoming population and housing census. Details in this report. The Central Statistical Office promotes participation in the upcoming population and housing census 2020, as it observes Caribbean and World Statistics Day 15th and 20th October respectively. Inter at the Central Statistical Office, Sean Mathura, indicates that progress on the population and housing census 2020 was disrupted by COVID-19. Prior to the pandemic, he says the unit made significant headway with preparations. We were at a very advanced stage in our preparations for census. We had just concluded a significant activity, which would have prepared us to actually be able to commence with the data collection, to start getting ready to do the actual data collection. But unfortunately, with the COVID-19, we had to halt all our preparatory activities. We're just hoping that when we're able to recommence our preparations, that we'll be able to do so with the same momentum that we had just prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19. The theme for this year's statistics day is connecting the world with the data we can trust. The public is encouraged to cooperate with enumerators when the Central Statistical Office is able to conduct field data collection operations. We rely on the cooperation of the public to provide that information. What I would like to also bring out is that we're mandated by our statistics act to ensure that it relates to confidentiality. That's something that we take very seriously at the statistics act, at the statistics department. So while we have the mandate and the responsibility to compile and produce and collect statistics, we need that we rely on the cooperation of the general public to do so and to be able to effectively and successfully carry out that mandate. Most activities to observe statistics day are cancelled due to reviewed COVID-19 protocols on Island. However, interested persons can visit the Central Statistics Office at the Finance Administrative Center to view a display of statistical products and information on the population and housing census. The objective of this as well as virtual engagements by the unit is to advance the awareness of statistics and its significance to the development of the country.