As precautions heighten amid the COVID-19 epidemic across the world and one suspected case in Guyana, the Education Ministry has opted to close all public schools for two weeks.
Bishops’ High School
On Friday the Ministry said this closure will commence from Monday, March 16.
“The Ministry of Education wishes to advise that with effect from Monday, March 16, 2020, al; schools will be closed for two weeks. Additionally, this decision will be reassessed during this period and further guidance will be provided,” the statement read.
For concerns, stakeholders can contact 226-1175 or the Public Health hotline on 227-4986 or 624-3067.
Roxanne Burnham Nursery
The decision by the Education Ministry comes just one day after the Ministry indicated that all schools would remain open. The Ministry had initially advised persons to take the necessary precautions as advised by the World Health Organisation (WHO); Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in relation to COVID-19. They later recanted their decision of keeping these institutions open amid the threats.
St Winefride’s Secondary School
Meanwhile, the Mayor and Council also announced that all the municipal daycare centres – South Road, East Ruimveldt, Festival City and Industrial Site – will be closed for two weeks with effect from Monday, March 16, 2020.
While the public schools were opened throughout the past two weeks, there was very low attendance with the heated political climate.
On Wednesday the University of Guyana also opted to close its two campuses – located at Tain and Turkeyen – until there is normalcy in Guyana.
The suspected coronavirus was announced on Wednesday. The 52-year-old woman who died had travelled from New York to Guyana. Caribbean Airlines has since quarantined its crew that worked during the flight on which the woman was a passenger. Local medical staff who treated her were also quarantined. This has led to a scramble for disinfecting supplies throughout the country.
As such, parents had raised concerns about the level of sanitisation practised in schools, since students spend substantial hours in the classrooms.
While the Coronavirus is not airborne, it can linger on surfaces for some time. Symptoms range from fever, dry cough, muscle ache and fatigue. As such, persons are advised to desist from touching their faces coupled with frequently washing their hands with soap and water.
The World Health Organisation has advised that only persons who show symptoms or those that are caring for an ill person are required to wear masks.
Local health authorities have advised that if anyone is experiencing symptoms of coronavirus, they should contact the hotline on 227-4986 ext 215 or 624-3067 and a team would be sent to their location. Under no circumstances should they visit a health facility, since the contraction rate would increase.
