Caretaker Govt cannot handle COVID-19 pandemic – GCCI

With the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases projected to drastically increase in Guyana in a matter of days, the need for a duly-elected Government in place becomes even more urgent.

This was expressed on Friday by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) which has once again voiced concerns over the lengthy delay in the conclusion of the country’s electoral process.
The Private Sector body indicated that they were able to ascertain through their model that some 19,500 cases will be detected locally by the first week in May. This is in tandem with the projections of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) that some 20,000 cases will be detected by this time.

With concerns, the Chamber indicated that a large amount of resources will have to be injected into the healthcare sector and the Government will have to issue mandatory home isolation orders. With this, the economy would experience many blows and more importantly, many jobs would be lost.
“As case numbers increase, the Government will have to issue mandatory stay at home orders, which are far more restrictive, and which will shut down the economy which was already in a slowdown due to caution around the election. Subsequently, there will be perhaps one of the largest increases in the number of persons who are laid off from their jobs in recent history; one only has to look at the devastation done to our Tourism and Hospitality industry and extrapolate from there,” the GCCI said.

Impact will be devastating
It emphasised that the socio-economic impacts will be devastating and this situation cannot be handled by caretaker authorities.
“Without fiscal stimulus to help at that time, the economic and social impacts will be devastating. It is noteworthy to mention that in order to have fiscal stimulus, we must have a fully functioning Finance Minister and Parliament convened; not a caretaker Finance Minister.”
As such, the Chamber called for the elections crisis to end speedily with a recount plan, not extending beyond 30 days and the appointment of a duly-elected Government which holds the confidence of the people.
“It is with this and our preceding points in mind that the business community urges to see a recount plan for 30 days or less, and see a Government in place with the full confidence of the people so that all the tools in our country’s arsenal can be brought to bear in the fight against COVID-19 including both fiscal policy and international loans so that the impact of the pandemic can be lessened and the loss of life reduced,” the statement read.

Funds withheld
From a prolonged elections crisis without a fully-functional Government, there are implications on the healthcare sector and the resources to treat patients. International funds to fight the virus and other aids will also be withheld.
“Further it seems as if the election result delays may be responsible for delays in Guyana accessing international funds to fight the virus. We cannot, as a country, insult the international community on social media and then turn around and ask for their funds and think it will be handed to us ahead of other countries in need. The unique feature of this crisis is that the world is experiencing it simultaneously so there is a long line for international aid, we do not need to take actions to cause us to be placed at the back of the line.”
The World Bank has said that “Oil production is projected to boost GDP growth to unprecedented levels in 2020. While this could transform Guyana, there are risks, as illustrated by a still incomplete election outcome, and compounded by falling oil prices and the COVID-19 epidemic.”