…as Govt extends national lockdown by another month
The National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) announced the extension of Guyana’s COVID-19 lockdown measures would last until June 03, 2020. Additionally, preferential treatment was also ordered for healthcare workers in the new notice published in the Official Gazette of April 29.
Former Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence
The order, signed by former Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence, states that “where a healthcare worker has to do business…the worker shall not join a line, but shall be given preferential treatment on submission of proof of identification.”
The extension of the lockdown measures comes as Guyana recorded a steady increase in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases. However, the measures have been proving ineffective, since nonessential businesses and personnel continue to flock the streets, putting themselves and others at risk.
The enforcement of these measures continues to be lax;
nevertheless, the a 12-hour daily curfew remains in effect. It means that persons are required to be in their yards by 18:00h every day, and remain there until 06:00h the following day. They cannot leave, unless they are categorized as essential workers or have an emergency.
According to the notice, all persons employed within the public service, a statutory body or a State-owned enterprise shall work remotely from home, except as may otherwise be directed by the Public Health Minister, acting on the advice of the responsible Ministers and heads of agencies.
With regards to essential services, the former Minister said these will carry on with 24-hour operation. These include hospitals; healthcare and medical services, including pharmacies, drug stores and private veterinary services; nursing homes, orphanages, shelters and other related care centres; immigration; Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA); electricity services; water supply services; the Disciplined Forces; Guyana Prison Services; solid waste management; sewerage and janitorial services; air traffic control (ATC); the Demerara Harbour Bridge and Berbice River Bridge; hotels and accommodation; and factories, manufacturers or distributors of food supplies and essential goods, including medical supplies, where the Minister of Public Health has determined that the continuation of these operations does not pose a risk to public health.
Telecommunications and media are also included in the essential services category.
Other essential services, such as banks; markets; supermarkets; fruit and vegetable stalls and neighbourhood shops; food services and restaurants, only for delivery, drive-thru and take away services; and gas stations, are to be open only between 06:00h and 17:00h.
“Any service not listed…may only continue their services if their employees can work exclusively from home,” the notice states.
Moreover, these services mentioned are guided by strict social distancing and physical distancing protocols, which they need to make the necessary arrangements to facilitate. This includes the mandatory requirement of persons wearing a mask whenever entering an establishment.
Restrictions remain in place for all social activities at private parties; sporting events; a banquet, ball or reception; bar or rum shop; the seawall; a pool, creek or river; a wake or vigil; gym; beauty salon or spa; club or discotheque; and meetings of fraternal societies, private or social clubs or civic associations or organisations.
As it relates to weddings, no one other than the bride, the bridegroom, official witnesses and the marriage officer is to be present. While for funerals, no more than 10 mourners, one officiant and the funeral director and the necessary staff shall attend.
For religious worship, except for the conduct of funeral services and weddings, all churches and places of religious worship, including mosques and temples, shall be closed. However, this does not “prohibit any religious worship by virtual or electronic means, provided that if virtual or electronic worship is being carried on in the place of worship the number of persons in that place shall not exceed five, and the social distancing of six feet between persons shall apply.”
Restrictions were also placed on visitation to any quarantine or isolation facility; a prison or correctional facility; and patients in a hospital, nursing home, senior citizens’ home, or any other care facility.
With regards to travelling, the two international airports remain closed to all overseas flights except for outgoing flights, cargo flights, medical evacuation flights, technical stops for fuel only, and special authorised flights. However, for domestic travelling whether by land, water or air, those means of transportation are required not to carry more than half the number of passengers which the motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft is licensed to carry. All operators and passengers are also required to have personal protective equipment.
The notice further outlined that a motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft shall not be used for a purpose other than for those ‘essential services’ mentioned above.
The caretaker Minister has also given the Guyana Police Force powers to stop any motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft and inquire as to the purposes for which that motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft is being utilized; and anyone found in violation may be arrested.
For medical evacuation flights, only the patient, one health official and, where necessary, one family member is allowed in the aircraft.
According to Lawrence, anyone who fails to comply with any of these measures commits an offence under Section 152 of the Public Health Ordinance and is liable on summary conviction to the penalty provided under that Section.
On Wednesday, Romal Gardner was charged for “Breach of restriction to home, in contravention of No.1 Restriction of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures #53/2020, contrary to Section 21 (2) of the Public Health Ordinance, Chapter 145”. He appeared at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrate’s Court and was sentenced to an hour of “standing and displaying the curfew notice” as punishment for the violation.
Gardner, stood for an hour outside of the Diamond/Grove Police Station displaying the sign, which read, “I have breached the curfew. COVID-19 is deadly. Please stay indoors.”
