Berbice Chamber issues warning as curfew lifted in Regions 5, 6

Following the announcement by the National COVID-19 Task Force on relaxing the curfew for the Regions Five and Six between Mondays and Fridays, the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association (BCCDA) warned of repercussions while expressing appreciation.

Vice President of the Chamber, Ryan Alexander said the move by the National Task Force came about as a result of the efforts of several organisations in the regions which have all been doing their part to ensure that those regions remain COVID free.
Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) has not recorded any COVID-19 case while Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) had one which was imported from the USA.
Alexander said the Chamber has concerns as it relates to the bordering town of Corriverton.

“We have seen a spike in Suriname during the month of June and we know the connections between Suriname and Guyana in terms of persons interconnecting. We are aware of it and we are on our guard and trying to do as much sensitisation as possible as it pertains to the use of face masks and all of the different small things that are necessary to protest you,” Alexander said.
The BCCDA, which gets its support base from New Amsterdam, had been calling for the curfew to be relaxed in Region Six since the region had gone months without realising a second case since the one imported case.
“We are excited that it has been relaxed, for the simple reason that it will allow some bit of normalcy. The relaxing doesn’t mean that COVID is over. We know that COVID is still there. But the Guyanese people have not been adhering to the rules and regulations as set out by the National Task Force. They are very stubborn from time to time as it pertains to what is possible. COVID 19 has proven to us that it doesn’t have an age group, it doesn’t have a gender, ethnicity or religion. Anybody could be affected by COVID and we have seen young people passing away and also old persons passing away,” Alexander noted.
Alexander said the Chamber will continue to ask businesses to implement all the necessary measures which include ensuring any person visiting their business place is properly wearing a face mask, and wash bays are erected outside of business places while ensuring social distancing and encouraging persons to sanitise.
“These are some of the common things and simple things that we all can do to make each other safer and the entire [region] COVID-19 free. It also will allow the opportunity for business because if the area is safe and clean, persons will feel safer coming to do business in the area and that is a big plus.”

Food hampers
Alexander’s comments came as the Chamber distributed food hampers on Saturday.
One hundred food hampers were distributed to persons in Region Six spanning from the East Bank to Rose Hall Town on the Corentyne and including New Amsterdam and East Canje.
Families with a large number of children, single parents, physically challenged persons as well as those who have lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic were targeted.
Each package contained 14 items which were donated by members of the Chamber.
Alexander also called on Berbicians to continue to support small businesses which have played a significant role in the Chamber being able to reach out to the community. (Andrew Carmichael)