Health Minister warns against businesses accepting unvaccinated people

…says such practice puts populace at higher risk

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony has warned Guyanese of socialising at bars and restaurants that are flouting the COVID-19 measures since it puts them at a higher risk of contracting the virus by potentially mingling with unvaccinated persons.
For Tuesday’s COVID briefing, Dr Anthony shared that understanding how the virus is transmitted is essential in protecting oneself.

If establishments are not checking the vaccination status of persons, he said it is likely that the unimmunised is present in the same setting. Moreover, in such locations, many persons would not be wearing masks – an additional risk of contracting the virus.
“If you’re not wearing a mask, the virus would be transmitted through the air into your nostrils and into your respiratory system…Understanding transmission is very important and it’s transmitted because you’re breathing in the air that’s infected with the virus. What we need to be very concerned about I think is that persons who go to bars and especially those bars that are not adhering to the regulations.”
He added, “If they’re not checking, there would be people who are there unvaccinated and at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19. When you are in a bar, I don’t think people would be wearing their masks in close proximity. So, the chances of spread are much greater in indoor environments like bars and restaurants.”
He has sent a warning for persons to be mindful of the places they visit during the holidays, especially since gatherings are more common. Any business which flouts the measures, he underscored, should be a warning sign.
“We have to be extremely careful about the places that we visit during the holiday season, the duration of time that we spend at these places and a big warning sign should be if you go to a restaurant or bar and they’re not checking for vaccination status. That should be a big warning sign because you will be mingling with people that you’re uncertain about their status…If people can insist that the conditions for COVID are met and then they would go out, then that would help us to remain safe. I would urge people to take the precautions…If it’s not safe, they do not have to be there or stay there,” the Minister highlighted.
From 04:00h to 23:00h, stakeholders can access services at banks, markets, supermarkets, grocery shops, gas stations, postal or shipping services, beauty salons, barbershops, hardware stores, clothing or stores; or other maintenance services.
Other services including food services, restaurants, bars (including those at hotels) can facilitate delivery, drive-thru, curb-side pickup and take away services between this timing. Self-service buffet dining is still prohibited. Gambling, pool and snooker games are not allowed at bars.
Indoor and outdoor dining is also permitted within the same hours at 60 per cent capacity, with tables spaced six feet apart, and patrons above the age of 12 in possession of their vaccination card with accompanying identification document.
Casinos, betting shops or cinemas can operate but only at forty per cent capacity of the building or seating area. Patrons will only be allowed entry upon possession of a vaccination card to show their immunisation status.
Existing COVID guidelines state that non-compliant businesses will be issued a written warning, indicating that if the operator does not comply with these measures, the business of that operator may be suspended; or where after being warned, the operator remains non-compliant, their business will be suspended for a period not exceeding 30 days.