Pregnant women, children exempted from vaccine travel protocol – Health Minister

Pregnant women and children are exempted from Guyana’s travel requirement which necessitates the possession of a vaccination card before they can enter the country.
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony disclosed during Tuesday’s COVID-19 briefing that pregnant women would have to provide proof of their pregnancy and will be exempted. This also applies to persons under the age of 18, since vaccines are yet to be introduced locally for this age group.
Presently, it is a requirement for travellers entering Guyana to be vaccinated and present a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test.
“There are some exemptions. If you’re below the age of 18, you’re not required to have vaccination because in Guyana, we’re not administering vaccines as yet to persons below the ages of 18, so we have not made that a requirement. Another exemption would be for women who are pregnant must show proof of their pregnancy and we can exempt them. There are some women, who during their pregnancy did not want to take the vaccine and that’s really their choice,” said the Minister.
When asked if there will be a vaccination site at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, it was pointed out that this has not been established since persons would not be allowed onboard a plane if they’re unvaccinated.
“We have not set up that facility but it’s something that we can do. We don’t expect persons would be coming in without vaccination…Now that there’s this additional requirement of getting the vaccine, if you don’t have it, you will not be allowed on [the plane] so it’s a simple thing. We can’t put you on the aircraft and then you come here.”
Speaking on the risks involved in travelling during the current pandemic, the health official acknowledged that once precautions are followed, people can keep themselves safe. However, it was advised that if it can be avoided, then one should.
Dr Anthony cautioned, “Once you take precautions, I think travel is relatively safe. It also depends on the destination that you’re going to. Some of these destinations might have surges in cases and if you’re not careful, you can get infected. One would have to be very cautious and if you can avoid travel, then do so. If you cannot, take the precautions.”
He added that a fully vaccinated person has a significantly higher degree of protection. In that same breath, persons with doubts were asked to seek clarity from a medical professional at any vaccination centre. “Once you’re fully vaccinated, then you get all the benefits of that protection. If you’re only partially vaccinated, then you would not enjoy the full benefits of the immunisation…If there’s anybody who probably got some hesitation, any doubts, you can come to any one of the vaccination sites, you can engage the staff there and find out a little bit more.”
One day ago, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill told the media that Guyanese living abroad will have to be vaccinated before they’re accepted into the country. With positive cases rising every day, he pointed out that millions of dollars are being spent to treat these patients.
“It is costing millions and what we have is a lot of anti-vaxxers who reside in North America who want to use the regulations that are now in place to satisfy their vacationing in Guyana without having to be vaccinated, making noises that they’re not foreigners, they’re Guyanese. That’s where the issue is but the immigration will be able to determine. When you leave Guyana, you have a stamp,” the Minister said. (G12)