A total of 21 persons were arrested on Saturday evening for breaching the COVID-19 guidelines. A total of 12 persons were arrested at Mabaruma, North West District (NWD), Region One (Barima-Waini) while the others were arrested at Vergenoegen, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).
Police revealed that 12 of the 21 persons were arrested during a Joint Service COVICURB and mass patrol on Saturday night between 19:30h to 22:30h in the Mabaruma Station district.
Some of the persons arrested on Saturday night for breach of COVID-19 curfew
The areas patrolled were Kumaka Water Front, Hosororo Hill and Mabaruma Township.
In a statement, Police said persons were stopped and searched and at the end of the exercise, the persons were taken into custody. “Eight persons were arrested for failure to wear face mask, and four persons for failing to maintain social distancing,” the statement related.
Also on Saturday, two females are among nine persons arrested for breach of the COVID-19 curfew in Region Three.
Police Commander for Region Three, Senior Superintendent Errol Watts when contacted noted that the nine persons who were arrested were at the time consuming alcohol in front of a popular bar at Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) public road.
The enforcement exercise was carried out in Region Three by Captain Williams from the National Task Force, along with seven other Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ranks in conjunction with other Police ranks.
Over the past two weeks, scores of persons have been arrested during a series of COVID-19 enforcement exercises.
On Easter Monday a number of Essequibians were caught in large gatherings and were arrested for breaching the COVID-19 guidelines. The violators were arrested at Adventure Resort, Lake Mainstay Resort, Golden Fleece and Capoey Lake.
Also, 40 persons were arrested during a COVID-19 patrol operation along the East Bank of Demerara (EBD). Police said those persons were also in breach of the COVID-19 restrictions at the Boat House Bar at Land of Canaan, EBD.
The operation included officers of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).
Additionally, 27 persons were arrested sometime last week after they were found gathering at the Homme Hospitality Hotel and Bar. They were later placed on cash bail, pending court appearances.
Reports also revealed that some 23 persons were arrested at the Sleep-In Hotel, located on Church Street, 20 at the Altitude Bar on Sandy Babb Street, and, 31 at the Kairos Bar on Charlotte Street. Those arrests were also made sometime last week.
The Government continues to reinforce the COVID-19 guidelines as the number of deaths and new cases continues to rise. As of Sunday, Guyana recorded 105 new cases and three new deaths.
