Non-essential businesses in Region 3 continue to operate beyond curfew hours

With strict lockdown guidelines imposed to limit activity in the public domain and the mandated restrictions on the operation of non-essential enterprises, business owners in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) have been operating as normal.
Amid talks that there is a lack of contingency plans by the caretaker coalition Government to cushion the impact of Covid-19 on the non-essential workers, the evidence has manifested with the continued operation of these services.
As part of the imposed curfew, businesses are expected to operate from 06:00h to 18:00h with modified working conditions for the protection of customers and employees.
However, some non-essential businesses such as clothing stores and hire car operators have continued beyond the specified time.
Throughout the West Coast of Demerara, Guyana Times observed many persons breaking the stipulated curfew and tending to customers along the stretch of road.
Furniture stores, DVD sellers and roadside vendors were all operating. Over at Tuschen on the East Bank of Essequibo (EBE) and other hotspots, even taxi drivers were awaiting passengers despite being informed that all public transportation should cease at 18:00h.
One shop owner explained that he has a loan to repay the bank and as such, closing the door to his business is not an option.
At the end of the month, he needs to pay his instalments and earn a livelihood.
The caretaker coalition Administration has come under heavy criticism over its lack of contingency plans to cushion non-essential workers. While it had revealed that it is now making assessments to determine the impact on the operations of local businesses to shape an informed economic policy, this does not include the ‘common man’.
In fact, it is seen as the reason why many non-essential services and workers have continued to operate as per normal to earn a livelihood. The original order has since been revoked and replaced with the newly gazetted directives. Under the emergency measures directive, “any person who fails to comply with any of the new measures commits an offence”, and shall be liable to summary conviction.
Some of the measures outlined in the Govt directive include instructions to stay at home, stating that “every person shall remain in the confines of his or her home and its yard space”, except or as otherwise provided.
All persons employed within the public service, a statutory body or a State-owned enterprise shall also work remotely from home, except as may otherwise be directed by the Public Health Minister, acting on the advice of the responsible Ministers and Heads of Agencies. With regards to essential services, these will carry on with 24-hour operations.
These include hospitals, healthcare and medical services, including pharmacies, drug stores and private veterinary services; nursing homes, orphanages, shelters and other related care centres; immigration; Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA); electricity services; water supply services; the Disciplined Forces; Guyana Prison Services; solid waste management, sewerage and janitorial services; air traffic control (ATC); the Demerara Harbour Bridge and Berbice River Bridge; hotels and accommodation; and factories, manufacturers or distributors of food supplies and essential goods, including medical supplies where the Minister of Public Health has determined that the continuation of these operations do not pose a risk to public health.
Telecommunications and media are also included in the essential services category. Other services deemed essential include those involved in mineral and petroleum exploration and development, including those involved in the supply chain.