Over 100 persons arrested for breaching COVID-19 guidelines

Operation COVI-CURB

Over a two-day period, the Guyana Police Force has arrested a total of 116 persons after they were found in breach of the national COVID-19 measures. These individuals were mainly from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The arrests were made on Friday and Saturday during an enforcement exercise of Operation COVI-CURB – which was designed to keep people safe by spreading awareness on mask-wearing, social distancing among other measures. They were placed on bail, pending charges.
Those that were found in breach in Region Six included persons from Springlands, Crabwood Creek, Number 54 Village, Number 74 Village, Number 75 Village, West Canje, East Canje, New Amsterdam, Chesney, Albion, Ankerville, Letter Kenny, Belvedere, Rose Hall, Black Bush Polder, Adventure among other areas. Those in Region Five hailed from Bath Settlement.
Operation COVI-CURB is an initiative launched by the Government in collaboration with the Private Sector, civil society groups and other stakeholders with its aim of educating the public about the dangers of COVID-19 and to encourage them to comply with the COVID-19 gazetted order.
For the month of November, Government had taken a decision to extend the National COVID-19 measures and eased the curfew hours to 22:30h (10:30 pm) to 04:00h (4 am). Published in the official gazette, the measures took effect from November 1, and last until November 30 – unless earlier terminated, extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Health after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions.
These emergency measures are made pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2)(b) of the Direction by the President, given under the Public Health Ordinance, Cap 145, and published in the Gazette, Legal Supplement – B, 16th March 2020.
The Government concluded that it made a rapid assessment of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and found that it was fragmented and incapable of administering the public health, economic and social measures needed to keep the population safe. The order noted that the current measures are extended to allow for further assessments and consultations to develop updated protocols to aid in the combatting of the COVID-19 spread.
Gyms were to be opened for only 50 per cent of the building’s capacity and by appointments. Physical exercises shall be allowed only in parks, roadways, beaches, rivers and seawalls while maintaining social distancing.
The restriction to home continues, where persons shall remain in the confines of their house or yard space. No one is permitted to host or attend a cinema except for drive-in movies; private party, banquet hall, bar, public swimming pool or water park, wake or vigil, spa, club, meeting fraternity or any other social activity.
No person shall visit any place of quarantine or isolation facility, prison, patient in a hospital, nursing home, or other care facilities. If it is not a COVID-19 patient, the hospital can grant permission on a case-by-case basis.
Meanwhile, for religious services, the attendance is restricted to 25 per cent of the building’s capacity and where there are multiple services, there should be no less than 45 minutes between each to allow for sanitising. All measures and guidelines must be followed.
Meanwhile, all persons employed within the public service, a semi-autonomous agency, statutory body or State-owned enterprise shall work on rotation.
From 04:00h to 21:30h, stakeholders will be able to 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.

Outdoor dining at a restaurant shall only be permitted between these hours, with tables six feet apart and a maximum of four persons that are three feet apart per table. Food services are still permitted to conduct delivery and curbside pickup.
Persons are still required to wear a mask, covering the nose and mouth, when in public. Both private and the public sector will have their staff on rotation while those in the health sector will be subjected to priority treatment. Failure to comply with the mandatory mask requirement would make persons liable under Section 152 of the Public Health Ordinance.