Lax border control reason for COVID-19 spike – GGDMA

The alarming hike in COVID-19 cases across several mining communities in Guyana is solely linked to illegal border traffic into the country.
This was the position shared by the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), which on Friday stated that it is concerned about the surge in cases relating to the novel coronavirus.

The GGDMA expressed, “It appears that the COVID-19 is being spread at our borders which remain porous because of lax enforcement of crossings and other border control measures, this must be addressed immediately by the authorities,” the Association stated.
The mining organisation went on to say that these positive cases are coming into the country through illegal crossing through mining landings and dwellings. Itinerant workers, the Association noted, are also passing through these regions and contributing to the increased cases.
“Activities at landings and camps that promote the spread of the disease and contribute to the disobedience of the curfew and COVID-19 guidelines must stop. There can be no compromise to ensure the safety of all workers on the mining camp,” the GGDMA said, adding that it recognises the increasing spread of the virus and would like to be engaged by the COVID-19 steering committee on whatever decisions are being made for the gold and diamond mining industry to help alleviate this disease.
The statement went on to say that registered businesses and other stakeholders within the mining districts need to abide by the established COVID-19 guidelines and curfew to prevent other hotspots from emerging.
Additionally, miners were urged to continue adherence to the measures and avoid congregating in large numbers. Illegal shops were reminded not to encourage mining workers to flaunt these guidelines, as authorities were called in to remove these establishments.
“Specifically, shops are reminded that no social gatherings or the consumption of food and drinks are to be allowed on premises, customers must purchase and leave…These illegal shops must be removed. We call on the relevant authorities to assist in this regard,” GGDMA stated.
Earlier this month, President of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), Andron Alphonso insisted that mining has to continue.
He had disclosed that the mining sector is currently working along with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) to establish long-term protocols that will guide the industry’s operations with the aim of protecting both its members as well as vulnerable hinterland communities.
Among these protocols was enhanced testing for miners heading into mining sites and for those already at those locations, the GGDMA President noted. He explained that the Association had started to put together something initially but recognised that medical expertise was needed to tackle this pandemic. This guideline will be completed by next week.
The mining official further revealed that the GGDMA is also in talks with the Public Health Ministry to potentially purchase testing kits not just for miners but also residents of these vulnerable mining communities.
There have been calls by hinterland communities as well as human rights bodies for mining to be removed from the list of essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic amid raising fears that persons travelling from the coastland would transport the virus to their villages.