Curfew extended as NCTF rolls out 6-phase reopening plan

…no new cases recorded

The National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) on Wednesday extended the 18:00h to 06:00h (6pm to 6am) curfew while announcing a phased reopening for Guyana.
The six-phase reopening plan will be rolled out with Phase 1, commencing today, and will run until July 2, 2020, the NCTF said in a statement. The curfew was announced back in April to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus in Guyana.
The final phase of this plan will be completed on August 28.

It was noted that the current 18:00h to 06:00h (6pm to 6am) curfew will remain in effect for Phase 1 in all administrative regions. The non-curfew measures will be lifted in Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), which have not had a case of COVID-19.
During the first phase, all food establishments, including street vendors, will be permitted to operate takeout and delivery

services from 06:00h to 17:00h (6am to 5pm) with no dine-in services.
Hardware, plumbing and electrical stores will also be allowed to operate from 06:00h to 17:00h (6am to 5pm) while persons will be allowed to exercise in open public spaces on weekdays from 06:00h to 18:00h for 90 minutes.
Contact or team sports are still prohibited, while bars are to remain closed.
Public transport will continue to operate at 50 per cent passenger capacity as social distancing rules and the wearing of face masks must be maintained.
Moreover, gatherings of more than five persons remain prohibited while the stay-at-home order also remains in effect.
“Persons are only permitted to leave home if they are essential workers, for essential services, emergency medical care and for the 90-minute daily exercise allowance,” the Task Force said.
Additionally, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) is now classified as an essential service. This is especially necessary for the timely opening and closing of sluices which is critical at this time of regular heavy rainfall.
This phased reopening of the country comes as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases remain at 171.

No new cases
Delivering Wednesday’s COVID-19 update, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud, disclosed that 11 new tests were conducted and there were no new cases. Guyana’s COVID-19 death toll remains at 12.
Meanwhile, the total number of COVID-19 tests done is 2006 and of that number, 1835 were negative. Currently, there are 57 active cases in institutional isolation, and another 24 cases in quarantine. There are no patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
Dr Persaud also reported that three more persons have recovered from the life-threatening disease, bringing the total number of recovered persons to date to 102.
With eight of Guyana’s 10 administrative regions now affected by the novel coronavirus, the CMO pleaded with Guyanese to adhere to the guidelines in their daily routine, so that the country’s cases do not continue to increase.
He specifically reminded students, teachers, security guards, auxiliary staff, parents, and guardians not to downplay the need to adhere to these guidelines. For the mining community, the same sentiment was reiterated.
“COVID-19 is serious business and just a mere glimpse of the trend in our Region and beyond provides you with the dismal picture. We call urgently on our mining community to be responsible and to recognise that if the laissez-faire pattern of behaviour continues in this vein, then we are negating the best efforts of our health workers who have been working steadfastly to keep us safe, even at the risk of themselves and their families,” Dr Persaud asserted.
Meanwhile, as more Guyanese who were left stranded overseas return to home soil via the repatriation flights, the CMO spoke about the travel procedures for those returning passengers, focusing on the flight aspect.
He noted that while on the plane, persons should maintain physical/social distancing and observe seat spacing as advised by the International Air Transport Association (IATA); wear face masks covering nose and mouth throughout the journey except when eating, drinking or taking medication; practise proper hand hygiene and avoid any physical contact; and avoid standing in the aisles, galleys and washroom areas.
“Face masks must be worn throughout the flight by all cabin crew. Gloves are recommended when handling passengers’ supplies. Alert flight attendants if any person develops symptoms en route; these should be documented and reported to the captain. The captain must immediately alert the airport authority at the destination country of the illness,” he explained.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), some 3,899,800 positive cases along with over 205,500 deaths have been recorded in the Region of the Americas.
Globally, there are now over 8,000,000 COVID-19 cases and more than 440,200 deaths.