PM joins COVI-CURB campaign to bring awareness to Guyanese

Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips on Saturday took to the streets of Georgetown in an effort to sensitise Guyanese on the COVI-CURB operation that was implemented to bring awareness about COVID-19.

Phillips was joined by Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd to share information with the public and distribute masks in the Stabroek Market Square and its environs.
“Most of the people, maybe 99 per cent of the people that we interacted with had on a mask, and I am heartened by that,” the Prime Minister related after the exercise.

The Prime Minister noted that several Government Ministers are conducting similar exercises across the country.
He said that since the launch of Operation COVI-CURB on October 1, 2020, there has been a significant increase in awareness activities to ensure that the public complies with the COVID-19 guidelines.
“I think we are doing well and the message is being passed on to the people … it is gaining momentum and that is what we wanted.”
Minister Todd, who had contracted the virus a few weeks ago, encouraged people to never get too comfortable or complacent. He noted that the virus does not discriminate and people should be hyper-vigilant in protecting themselves and their loved ones.
“You have to always keep your guard up; sometimes you’re in environments where you think that you don’t need to wear a mask, but it’s not offensive to keep your mask on. I think people need to understand that even if you’re around people that you endear and you feel comfortable with, it’s a mark of respect to wear your mask and to ensure that others wear their masks also,” Todd highlighted.
Operation COVI-CURB is an initiative by the Government in collaboration with the Private Sector, civil society groups and volunteers. It uses education, moral suasion and enforcement to ensure that the public complies with the COVID-19 gazetted order.
During the launching, Acting Police Commissioner Nigel Hoppie reminded that his Force is on the frontline behind this fight in terms of enforcement of the regulations. He added that they will embark in continuous public sensitisation campaign in a “community-minded” approach.
Ranks have been assigned across the region to specifically ensure that the national measures are upheld by citizens.