With a constant rise in COVID-19 cases, the National COVID-19 Task Force has made a decision to extend the current 18:00h to 06:00h (6 pm to 6 am curfew) as well as implement additional measures for newly identified hotspots.
File photo: Mining activities have been suspended in regions One and Seven
On Friday, it was announced that the current curfew measures will continue until July 16, unless terminated, extended or amended by notice of the Public Health Minister, after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions.
These emergency measures are made pursuant to the Public Health Ordinance, Cap 145, and published in the Gazette, Legal Supplement-B March 16, 2020.
Special measures were formulated for the mining and hinterland regions, owing to existing threats and the spike in cases in some areas. This comes on the heels of mounting calls from organisations and village councils for mining to be suspended, as the movement of people was linked to an upsurge in cases.
While it wasn’t completely stopped, mining operations are to cease in areas within the coordinates mentioned in the document, specifically, Aranka and Arangoy’s Landing in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Moruca in Region One (Barima-Waini). These regions are leading the list for the highest positive cases within recent time.
Taking this information into consideration, no person is allowed to travel into or out of the zones listed without the authorisation from the Public Health Ministry. Persons residing in the areas are required to wear a “mask fitted to cover the nose and mouth” when in public.
Gatherings shall not exceed five persons and the physical distance of six feet between persons shall apply to those gatherings. Meanwhile, all homes and public places including shops, landing, means of transportation and conveyances shall be sanitised.
Additionally, every employer of a business should ensure that handwashing stations, or hand sanitising equipment are placed and maintained at the entrance of the workplace or business premises, so that persons entering the premises have the opportunity to wash or sanitise their hands before entering.
“Its employees, customers or visitors are directed to wash or sanitise their hands before entering the business premises. All employee workstations and all equipment on the business premises are sanitised before each work shift…Persons with a flu-like symptoms or respiratory symptoms are not permitted to go to work,” the notice indicated.
In the hinterland villages, if a Council has determined that a public health threat exists in relation to any mining or forestry operation conducted, a recommendation is to be sent to the Ministry for that operation to be discontinued.
New essential services
Meanwhile, in keeping with a phased reopening of the economy, a decision was taken to include public health construction, medical schools, factories, manufacturers or distributors under the list of essential services.
They now join the previous list, consisting of medical and health care services, orphanages, nursing homes, immigration, Parliament, the Judiciary system, diplomatic corps, Guyana Revenue Authority, the Maritime Administration Department, water supply and electricity agencies, the Disciplined Forces, prison services, solid waste management, irrigation services, air traffic control, harbour bridges, hotels, oil sector, businesses that supply mining products, telecommunication providers, port operations, transportation of dry goods or beverages and attorneys-at-law.
Services which are allowed to open between 06:00h to 17:00h every day include banks and other financial institutions, markets, supermarkets, fruit and vegetable stalls, bulk food stores, food services and restaurants only for delivery, drive-thru and take away services; gas stations; postal and shipping services; funeral homes; beauty salons, barber shots, vehicle inspection services, hardware and plumbing; and maintenance services.
Any service not listed shall close their operations unless their employees can work exclusively from home or their services can operate through delivery or curbside pickup.
The restrictions on social activities continue and no person shall host or attend a private party; recreational or competitive sporting event; a wedding, other than the bride, the bridegroom, official witnesses and the marriage officer; a banquet, ball or reception; bar, club or rum shop; wake or vigil; gym or spa; private or social club; or any other social activity.
Persons are still restricted from visiting quarantine facilities, prisons, nursing homes or care facilities, or a patient in the hospital.
The Cheddi Jagan International and Eugene F Correia International Airports also remain closed to all international flights except for outgoing flights, cargo flights, medical evacuation flights, technical stops for fuel only and special authorised flights. Meanwhile, the guidelines for local domestic travel remain the same.
Any person who fails to comply with any of these measures commits an offence under Section 152 of the Public Health Ordinance and is liable on summary conviction to the penalty provided under that Section.
