42 businesses issued warning for breach of COVID-19 guidelines – NCTFS

The Health Ministry and the National COVID-19 Task Force Secretariat (NCTFS) have sought to inform the Private Sector Commission (PSC) that some 42 businesses have been issued warnings for breaching the national measures.
This came after the Private Sector body came to the defence of Palm Court after the business was found operating in violation, calling out the Task Force for biasness and ‘discrimination’.

Palm Court, a popular nightspot on Main Street, was given a final warning, and the official correspondence sent specified that legal sanctions could be taken, including having its licence revoked. This final warning, the Secretariat said, was also issued to 20 other businesses that were operating outside the requisite guidelines.
“The NCTFS has thus far sent first letters of warning to a total of 42 businesses regarding breaches of COVID-19 Guidelines. Among those 42, a total of 20 of them have been issued with final warning letters for continued breaches,” the statement indicated.
While being accused of leaking the warning letter to the media, the NCTFS told the Commission that it did not disclose any such documents to the media, especially in regards to the ones issued to Palm Court Restaurant and Bar. It went on to say the PSC played an important role in the operation of the Task Force, and this matter could have been resolved “mutually”.
“This will continue to be the modus operandi of the Ministry and the Task Force regarding the issuance of such correspondence…The PSC plays a vital role as part of the Task Force and the Ministry believes that the matter concerning the Palm Court Restaurant and Bar could be resolved mutually and collaboratively as done by other businesses that were written to,” the NCTFS said.
The PSC has been encouraged against taking any decision to withdraw from the Task Force, as the Government of Guyana has purposely chosen an inclusive approach, especially in the face of the ongoing national COVID-19 response.
It has been reported that Palm Court has denied breaching any of the measures, while stating that it supported the work of authorities in preventing the further spread of the coronavirus.
These emergency measures are made pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2)(b) of the Direction by the President, given under the Public Health Ordinance, Cap 145, and published in the Gazette, Legal Supplement – B, March 16, 2020.
The Government concluded that it made a rapid assessment of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and found that it was fragmented and incapable of administering the public health, economic, and social measures needed to keep the population safe. The Order noted that the current measures are extended to allow for further assessments and consultations to develop updated protocols to aid in the combating of the COVID-19 spread.
For social and entertainment spots, it specifies that there should be strict social distancing and persons must take precautions. This is especially important in an indoor setting.