Home News Persons must be fully vaccinated to enter Guyana, public buildings
…curfew hours now midnight to 04:00h
By virtue of an updated gazette document, the definition of a vaccinated person is now regarded as having obtained both doses of the respective COVID-19 vaccine.
The Emergency measures (No.24) state that a person is only considered to be ‘fully vaccinated’ two weeks after receiving an approved single-dose vaccine; the second dose of an approved two-dose vaccine; or any mix-and-match combination of approved vaccines administered at least 17 days apart.
Any person who wishes to enter a public building is required to be fully vaccinated. If not, they can do so by appointment and must present a negative molecular biological PCR test result taken within seven days of the appointment. The testing requirement also applies to unvaccinated employees of these agencies. In Guyana, only the Johnson and Johnson jabs follow a single-dose regimen.
The measures will take effect from November 1, 2021 and will end on November 30, 2021 – unless earlier terminated, extended, or amended by notice of the Health Minister after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions.
Curfew hours
Meanwhile, the curfew hours have now been changed, now becoming effective from 00:00h to 04:00h. From 04:00h to 23:00h, stakeholders will still be able to access services at banks, markets, supermarkets, grocery shops, gas stations, postal or shipping services, beauty salons, barbershops, hardware stores, clothing or other stores, or other maintenance services.
Other services, including food services, restaurants, bars (including those at hotels) delivery, drive-thru, curbside pickup and take away services can be accessed during this time. Self-service buffet dining is still prohibited. Gambling, pool and snooker games are not allowed at bars.
Indoor and outdoor dining is also permitted within the same hours at 60 per cent capacity, tables spaced six feet apart, and patrons must be above the age of 12, and must be in possession of their vaccination cards with accompanying identification documents.
There are still restrictions on social activities, where no one shall host or attend a private party, banquet, ball, reception, hotel swimming pool or waterpark, wake, vigil, club, discotheque, social club, civil organisation or association, fraternal society, or any other social activity. Sporting events require approval from the Ministry of Health.
Casinos, betting shops or cinemas can still operate, but only at forty percent capacity of the building or seating area. Patrons will only be allowed entry upon possession of a vaccination card to show their immunisation status.
The measures have remained unchanged for essential services to operate 24 hours a day, and these include: hospitals, pharmacies, the Judiciary, Parliament, diplomatic corps, Disciplined Services, solid waste management, airports, hotels or other accommodations; energy services, mining operations, security services, telecommunication providers, fisherfolks, limited port operations, construction, post service and freight, funeral homes, among others.
The Lethem Crossing remains open for crossing of essential goods on Thursdays and travel on Fridays. At the Moleson Creek Crossing, the Public Works Ministry will determine the days and times when it will be opened. Flights to and from Brazil are still prohibited.
“Before any person is allowed to enter Guyana, whether by land or sea, that person shall present to the relevant authorities a negative molecular biological PCR test or an approved antigen test taken within 72 hours of the date of their arrival in Guyana, and proof of vaccination,” the document indicated.
Any person who fails to comply with 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.
Noncompliant businesses will be issued a written warning to the operator, indicating that if the operator does not comply with these measures, the business of that operator may be suspended; or where after being warned, the operator remains uncompliant, their business will be suspended for a period not exceeding 30 days. (G12)