Granger orders curfew for entertainment spots, but THAG calls for complete closure

COVID-19

…current quarantine facilities can house 1000 persons
…Guyana can see 20,000 new cases by May 5

Caretaker President David Granger on Thursday announced curfews for entertainment hubs across the country. However, a major tourism organisation is calling for a complete shutdown of these businesses.

In an Address to the Nation, the Head-of-State said these measures have to be implemented due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the country, which currently stands at 19, including four deaths.
“The Government, in order to strengthen containment measures, will close public gatherings at places of entertainment, including bars, clubs, gymnasiums, night clubs, restaurants and swimming pools, between the hours of 18:00 hours and 06:00 hours (6:pm and 6:am) with effect from midnight (23:59h) on Friday 3rd April 2020,” Granger stated.
But even as it welcomes this initiative, the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) says a better move would be to completely close the entertainment hubs.
“THAG appeals for a full closure of bars and all places of entertainment for an initial period of two weeks, after which the situation should be reassessed,” the tourism organisation said in a press release.
Justifying its stance, THAG referred to a recent study by the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) which revealed that Guyana can see over 20,000 cases of the new coronavirus by May 5, 2020.
THAG says these figures are “worrying, to say the least”.
Granger, in his prerecorded message to the public, said Government has implemented a number of actions in its fight against this global public health threat. Among these measures, he said, are the sweeping powers he conferred upon the caretaker ministers through the extraordinary issue of the Official Gazette, to destroy one’s property and other belongings where necessary, along with other initiatives.
Additionally, he said the Public Health Ministry, along with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), has been mobilising medical staff and marshalling resources to fight the disease.
Moreover, the caretaker President referred to initiatives being taken by other entities, including the business community, to modify operations, postpone major educational examinations, close the University of Guyana’s campuses, and shut down the country’s international airports, among other things.
He also noted that public servants have been placed on a rotational shift system, so as to adhere to the concept of social distancing.
Granger has warned that additional restrictions to safeguard public health will be announced from time to time, as the needs arise.

Quarantine
As at April 2, 2020, Guyana recorded 19 confirmed cases of the COVID-19, including four deaths.
The first death was 52-year-old Ratna Baboolall, which occurred on March 11. On March 31, Guyana recorded its second death when 38-year-old Jermaine Ifill, who was in the Intensive Care Unit, died. The third death came shortly after, when 78-year-old Osa Collins, who was also an ICU patient, met her demise on April 1.
Subsequently, on April 1, a 59-year-old man died as a result of the disease.
To date, 31 persons are in institutional quarantine, while 11 are in isolation. One person has been moved to the ICU.
Isolation and quarantine facilities have been established at the West Demerara Regional Hospital; the Diamond Diagnostic Centre; the Georgetown Public Hospital; the Madewini Youth Centre; Ocean View International Hotel; the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall and the National Gymnasium.
These facilities collectively are able to accommodate 1,000 persons.