5101 hinterland families listed as vulnerable

COVID-19 pandemic
…as Police, health officials form new enforcement team
Law enforcement and public health officials will form a joint team to enforce the COVID-19 measures, as persons continue to flout the imposed curfew and partial lockdown guidelines.
This is according to Operations Director of the COVID-19 Task Force Secretariat, Mark Archer, who announced on Saturday that the unit will be called the “Mobile Emergency Response and Enforcement” team.
This decision was taken after it was observed that the Guyana Police Force continues to face difficulty in enforcing the gazetted measures. In fact, it was reported last weekend that hundreds of Guyanese were gathered at the Kitty, Georgetown seawall but Police did not respond. These individuals would have congregated in their numbers before the 18:00h curfew kicked in and continued their activities after. A majority of them were not wearing face masks nor practicing any precautionary measures against the virus.
Meanwhile, another team was sent to the mining areas to ensure that all stakeholders are taking the necessary precautions. They are expected to make a list of recommendations on Monday to the National COVID-19 Task Force, along with a “menu of measures” to keep persons within the communities safe.
On Friday, it was announced that the current curfew measures will continue until July 16, unless terminated, extended or amended by notice of the Public Health Minister, after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions.

Hinterland restrictions
Special measures were formulated for the mining and hinterland regions, owing to existing threats and the spike in cases in some areas. As such, mining operations are to cease in areas within the coordinates mentioned in the document, specifically, Aranka and Arangoy’s Landing in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Moruca in Region One (Barima-Waini).
Meanwhile, some 5101 households within the hinterland stretch have been placed in the “vulnerable” group, owing to financial constraints brought on by the pandemic.
No person is allowed to travel into or out of the areas listed without the authorisation from the Public Health Ministry. Persons residing in the areas shall be required to wear a “mask fitted to cover the nose and mouth” when in public.
Gatherings shall not exceed five persons and the physical distance of six feet between persons shall apply to those gatherings. Meanwhile, all homes and public places including shops, landing, means of transportation and conveyances shall be sanitised.
Additionally, every employer of a business should ensure that handwashing stations, or hand sanitising equipment are placed and maintained at the entrance of the workplace or business premises, so that persons entering the premises have the opportunity to wash or sanitise their hands before entering.