Govt officially removes COVID-19 restrictions

…presenting vaccination proof, wearing mask no longer mandatory but encouraged

Government on Monday evening officially announced that numerous changes were made to the COVID-19 regulations, paving the way for several of the restrictions to be lifted.

In the new gazette order – Public Health (Coronavirus) (No 3) Regulations 2022 – it is stated that wearing a face mask is no longer mandatory but encouraged when in public; proof of vaccination is no longer required to enter public buildings and the COVID-19 restrictions on social activities and gatherings were removed.
The new gazette order also states that employers are still required to ensure that COVID-19 guidelines are in place to reduce transmission of the virus among workers in offices, adding that officers and places of business must ensure that handwashing stations and sanitising equipment are at the entrances. This requirement is also encouraged for places of worship.
With respect to persons testing positive for the virus, the order states that they were required to isolate and follow the quarantine requirements. The order states: “Any person who has tested positive for coronavirus or identified for quarantine shall (a) comply with all applicable directions given and requirements imposed by the Health Emergency Operations Centre, including home isolation or quarantine or placement in an isolation or quarantine facility; (b) provide information to the Health Emergency Operations Centre about any individual with whom the person may have had contact with, at least fourteen days before testing positive for coronavirus; and (c) not knowingly expose themselves, without proper and necessary precautions against spreading the coronavirus, in any public place or to any person.”
With respect to travel, the new order states that “all operators and passengers of any land, water or air transport shall comply with any port health measures issued by the Board or any measures issued by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority or any other competent authority.”
On Sunday, it was announced that with the aim of moving towards full reopening, the Government, through the National COVID-19 Task Force, was working to lift the emergency measures.
Guyana first implemented the host of COVID-19 measures shortly after the first case was detected in the country on March 11, 2020. Over the past two years, these restrictions have been amended – strengthened as well as partially removed – in order to fit the situation of the pandemic in Guyana.
On Monday, it was reported that a 75-year-old man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) was Guyana’s 1225th death from the novel coronavirus. Confirmed cases have reached 64,147 since March 2020.
Also on Monday, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall said while steps are being taken to remove all COVID-19 restrictions, continuous vaccination and regular sanitisation practices will remain enforced.
During an interview with DPI on Monday, AG Nandlall said the new guidelines which take effect from Monday, March 14, is the first step towards Guyana regaining normalcy.
Only recently, Caricom (Caribbean Community) Secretary General, Dr Carla Barnett had opined that in the region’s post-pandemic economic recovery, it does not make sense to remain closed.
A number of jurisdictions and territories have already reopened.