COVID-19 pandemic
…relaxed curfew not an opportunity to party – PM
Thirty-nine new COVID-19 cases were recorded on Friday, bringing the total positive cases reported in Guyana to 2968. Of this amount, 1776 persons have recovered. 
As of Friday, 15 persons were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital. The Health Ministry, in giving a regional breakdown of the new cases, said 11 were recorded in Region One (Barima-Waini); nine in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 16 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); two in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and one in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). According to the Ministry, 165 persons are in institutional isolation while 927 are in home isolation and 281 are in institutional quarantine. The death toll, the Ministry said, remains at 85.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister and head of the National COVID-19 Task Force, Mark Phillips has called on Guyanese to adhere to all the COVID-19 guidelines in an effort to combat the spread of the deadly disease.
He made the statement during a press conference on Thursday while addressing the new measures put in place by the Government.
The Prime Minister noted that the move to relax the national COVID-19 curfew is not an opportunity for persons to disregard safety protocols as it relates to the pandemic.
“We have not reduced or relaxed the measures for anyone to go out there and party and socialise and feel more relaxed,” he noted.
As of October 1, the new curfew is from 21:00h to 04:00h. It was previously from 18:00h to 06:00h.
According to Phillips, the curfew was relaxed in the interest of providing a conducive environment for persons who have to work. “Whether you are a farmer, whether you are a fisherman, and you have to get up early and get out to sea or get your goods to the market, so you can start selling at 6 am, that is the reason why we have changed the timing…not for people to have longer hours to party. This is serious business and if you want to stay alive, now is the time to stop partying,” the Prime Minister posited.
With the change in the national curfew, certain businesses like gas stations and supermarkets can now operate up to 20:00h.
Additionally, food services shall be opened only for delivery, drive-thru, curbside pickup and take away from 04:00h to 20:00h. Gyms, bars and nightclubs are to remain closed.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Government launched operation COVI-CURB, an initiative by the National COVID-19 Task Force to ensure compliance with the gazetted COVID-19 emergency measures.
The Prime Minister said that the operation will be based on education, moral-suasion and enforcement, and will see collaboration between the Joint Services, civil society, community groups and volunteers, to ensure that the public complies with the gazetted order.
