Lockdowns give rise to economic hardships – Health Minister

A complete lockdown to mitigate against COVID-19 infections would give rise to grave economic hardships for the common man, bringing on consequential issues for the country.
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony shared this position on Thursday during an engagement with the media, when asked about Government’s take on a lockdown for the country. This is in light of other countries utilising this model as they navigate the pandemic.
However, he pointed out that such lockdowns would impact the financial position of Guyanese, given they cannot venture out to earn.
“When you go under lockdown, it interferes with the country’s economy, people would lose jobs so it’s a lot of complication. What we need to do is try to get that balance between how to manage the pandemic and how also to be able to manage the economy. If you lock down people and they don’t have money and food to eat, then you have a different problem.”
At the initial stage of the pandemic when Guyana had imposed a mandatory 18:00h to 06:00h curfew, United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) had found that people were economically strapped. As such, the Minister added that the onus is upon authorities to find the right balance.
“There were surveys what were done across the Caribbean by ECLAC that shows that when Guyana was under the six-to-six curfew, how that would have damaged people’s pockets and the impact that would have had on people economically. It is a balance. I don’t think any country have the right answer. There are some countries that have a zero tolerance to COVID-19, like New Zealand. But those policies are hard to maintain because you have to be isolated from the rest of the world,” he indicated.
Moreover, Dr Anthony shared that infections are prone to rise once the lockdown is over. This is evident in several countries.
“When you come out of lockdown, you still have cases. Quickly, those cases go up back. We have seen that with many countries that went under lockdown.”
Presently, Government has several measures in place in its National COVID-19 Emergency Measures to protect against COVID-19.
The measures will end on August 31, 2021 – unless earlier terminated, extended or amended by notice of the Health Minister after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions. Before accessing services at Government agencies, unvaccinated persons are now tasked with calling the entity and making an appointment.
In order to transport members of the public, the gazetted document stipulates that, “Every operator and conductor of any public transportation service shall be vaccinated and have in their possession, an official identification document and their vaccination card, and shall produce these documents when requested to do so by a policy officer or any authorised by the Minister of Health”.
Meanwhile, casinos, betting shops or cinemas have been given the greenlight to 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.
Dining is permitted at restaurants at 60 per cent capacity and tables placed six feet apart. Patrons at these businesses, except for children, must be vaccinated and have in their possession, an official identification document in addition to their vaccination card. (G12)