A Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) businessman who operates a drinking bar was slapped with a $16,000 fine by Magistrate Wanda Fortune for violating one of the COVID-19 guidelines.
The businessman appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court, where the charge was read to him. The charge stated that on November 28, 2020, at Republic Avenue, Mackenzie, he operated a bar and breached the restriction of social distancing.
He pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined, with an alternative of four weeks’ imprisonment.
This is the second violation with respect to the breach of curfew measures for the businessman in recent months. He was also warned by the Presiding Magistrate in relation to the offence during his court appearance.
Only recently, Government decided to extend the National COVID-19 measures for the month of December and ease the curfew hours which are now 22:30h (10:30 pm) to 04:00h (04:00 am).
However, In October, the Government embarked on a massive education campaign dubbed “Operation COVI-CURB” to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This initiative involved members of the Joint Services.
The education campaign featured conversations on mainstream media and the distribution of flyers. A hotline was also established to receive reports of persons flouting the emergency measures.
In addition, the Government completed 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 combatting of the COVID-19 spread.
Gyms were to be opened for only 50 per cent of the building’s capacity and by appointments. Physical exercises shall be allowed only in parks, roadways, beaches, rivers and seawalls while maintaining social distancing.
The restriction to home continues, where persons shall remain in the confines of their house or yard space. No one is permitted to host or attend a cinema except for drive-in movies; private party, banquet hall, bar, public swimming pool or water park, wake or vigil, spa, club, meeting fraternity or any other social activity.
No person shall visit any place of quarantine or isolation facility, prison, patient in a hospital, nursing home, or other care facilities. If it is not a COVID-19 patient, the hospital can grant permission on a case-by-case basis.
On the other hand, for religious services, the attendance is restricted to 25 per cent of the building’s capacity and where there are multiple services, there should be no less than 45 minutes between each to allow for sanitising. All measures and guidelines must be followed.
All persons employed within the public service, a semi-autonomous agency, statutory body or State-owned enterprise shall work on rotation.
From 04:00h to 21:30h, stakeholders will be able to access services at banks, markets, supermarkets, grocery shops, gas stations, postal or shipping services, beauty salons, barbershops, hardware stores, clothing stores; or other maintenance services.
Meanwhile, only recently, the Guyana Police Force in November had arrested a total of 116 persons after they were found in breach of the national COVID-19 measures. These individuals were mainly from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
