PM announces multi-sectoral approach to handle COVID-19

…businesses breaching curfew to face serious measures

Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips (retired) on Thursday announced the formation of a multi-sectoral operation which has been installed to curb the spread of COVID-19 and sensitise the public on the implications of contracting the life-threatening disease.

Through this new approach, which is labelled ‘Operation Covicurb’, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Guyana Police Force (GPF), and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) have all joined forces to execute the Health Ministry’s mandate of flattening the curve.
“As the name implies, it is an operation to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Guyana. We want to focus on education, moral suasion, communicating aggressively through the length and breadth of Guyana, and finally, to use enforcement measures.
“This is an operation that is now launched, and it will grow on us over the next 72 hours. It will involve members of the Joint Services, and we will have volunteers,” the PM disclosed.
Acting Police Commissioner Nigel Hoppie reminded that the GPF is on the frontline behind this fight in terms of enforcement of regulations. In a ‘community-minded’ approach, they will embark on a continuous public sensitisation campaign. Ranks have been assigned across the region to specifically ensure that the national measures are upheld by citizens.
“It is my sincere hope and expectation that our efforts will be effective in contributing to a decline in the COVID-19 statistics in Guyana,” Hoppie relayed.
As at October 1, the COVID-19 emergency measures (#10) were published, outlining a change in the countrywide curfew to the timeframe of 9 pm to 4 am to allow certain businesses to operate for a longer period. For example, gas stations, salons and supermarkets can now close at 20:00h.
The PM reiterated that this is not an opportunity for persons to party or socialise, but simply to enable citizens to conduct their transactions. Farmers and fishermen are now benefiting from increased timing to ply their trades.
Businesses that flout the measures would be given a warning on the first occasion, and on the second violation, will be asked to close their doors indefinitely.
“We have not relaxed or reduced the measures for anyone to go out there and party and socialise and feel more relaxed. There’s a simple reason why we did it: so people could conduct their activities, whether it be workplace of business or farming, and get home to their families…This is serious business, and if you want to stay alive, now is the time to stop partying, wear the mask and encourage those around you (to do likewise),” Phillips indicated.
Gyms and bar are among the services to remain closed. Meanwhile, there are special measures for Regions Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), inclusive of restricted travel.
The Ministry explained that these new measures were made following a rapid assessment of the COVID-19 situation in the country.
“The Government has looked at the approaches in other territories, especially in the Caribbean, and has resolved that a multi-sector and multi-faceted approach has been the most successful model, with an aggressive policy of detection, contact tracing and, if positive, isolation,” it was explained.
The Government has said it would continue to engage each sector, and based on the epidemiological evidence, develop appropriate protocols to keep citizens safe while allowing for a gradual reopening.