Phased reopening of CJIA postponed due to spike in COVID-19 cases

…curfew measures expire today

The four-phase reopening plan for the international airports in Guyana has been postponed owing to the spike in coronavirus cases. The second phase of the plan was expected to commence on Tuesday.

However, as of Monday, Guyana recorded 248 positive cases of COVID-19 and as a result, the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) and the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) extended phase one until July 31 after which phase two will commence on August 1.
GCAA Director General Egbert Field noted that the Authority and the NCTF considered the health of Guyanese and the nation as top priority, thus, it was imperative to adjust the Four-Phase Reopening Plan. Under phase one, limited repatriation flights, outgoing flights, cargo flights, medivac flights, technical stops, and special authorised flights will continue to be permitted.
In light of this, no airline has been granted approval for the conduct of scheduled commercial operation.
The GCAA said it has drafted Regulations and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to guide aviation stakeholders on the measures which are expected to aid in mitigation of the spread of COVID-19 and the full resumption of aviation-related activities. The Authority in conjunction with the Public Health Ministry and the NCTF will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation.

Curfew measures expire
Back in June, the NCTF announced the extension of the 18:00h to 06:00h (6pm to 6am) curfew measures until July 2. Additionally, it announced a six-phase reopening plan. It is expected that the curfew measures will be further extended today.
It was noted that the current 18:00h to 06:00h (6pm to 6am) curfew remained in effect for phase one in all administrative regions. During the first phase, all food establishments, including street vendors, are permitted to operate takeout and delivery services from 06:00h to 17:00h (6am to 5pm) with no dine-in services.
Hardware, plumbing and electrical stores will also be allowed to operate from 06:00h to 17:00h (6am to 5pm) while persons will be allowed to exercise in open public spaces on weekdays from 06:00h to 18:00h for 90 minutes. Contact or team sports are still prohibited, while bars are to remain closed.
Public transport is expected to continue to operate at 50 per cent passenger capacity as social distancing rules and the wearing of face masks must be maintained. Moreover, gatherings of more than five persons remain prohibited while the stay-at-home order also remains in effect.
In relation to the phased reopening of the airports, phase two will see travel permitted for diplomats and foreign workers. It will also see an increase in repatriation flights while moving towards the resumption of regional and international travel. Phase three will pave the way for more travel of foreign nationals and the persons in the tourism and business sectors. It was expected to run until year-end when phase four will kickstart. That phase leads to the further reopening of the airports into 2021.
Since the curfew measures were implemented, a large number of persons were charged and placed before the courts for breaching them.