Quarantine in luxury hotel or ‘short-time’ guesthouse

…as Govt offers paid option for returning Guyanese

Guyanese who are stranded overseas and wish to return home are required to complete the form at the link https://www.minfor.gov.gy/…/…/05/Repatriation-Form_Final.pdf and submit same to their closest diplomatic mission or directly to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The advisory was issued on Wednesday after the National COVID-19 Task Force last week announced that, within the controlled re-entry policy, the Task Force has approved the return of approximately 300 Guyanese. According to the Task Force, this approval encompasses Guyanese nationals in Trinidad and Tobago and in New York, New Jersey, Florida, and other states in the United States of America, and also in other countries; and is subject to certain strict conditions.
On Tuesday, a notice by the Public Health Ministry stated that those persons returning can stay at the Government-assigned quarantine facilities or pay for accommodation at designated hotels. These hotels are Brandsville Apartments at Pike Street, Kitty and Bacanas Guest House at Charlotte Street, Georgetown.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has also indicated that it would phase out the process of persons returning. The Ministry has said that to control the spread of the virus, there are a few steps which persons would be required to take before and after entering these shores.

“You are required to plan your return in coordination with, and on approval from, the Government of Guyana. This will enable control of the spread of COVID-19 in Guyana, and protect the health and safety of all citizens dwelling there, particularly those who are most vulnerable. Further, in the interest of public health and safety, approvals for re-entry will be phased in a manner deemed appropriate by the Ministry of Public Health, as the designated quarantine authority, and other key Government entities,” the Ministry informed.
To be accepted on board one of the incoming flights, Guyanese nationals must complete the application for entry form. This form can be found on the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s website, as well as on those of Guyana’s overseas missions — embassies, consulates general and honorary consuls. Subsequently, an e-mail confirming receipt of application would be issued, followed by confirmation of the intended date of travel.
The Ministry has cautioned that these persons should expect the precautionary procedures which would greet them in Guyana. It stated, “Guyanese nationals should expect to be screened and possibly tested for the novel coronavirus on return to Guyana. This is a condition of return, and will be undertaken at the point of entry. It is anticipated that all persons entering Guyana will need to exercise patience, as social distancing and health and safety protocols will be observed.”
After mounting calls and accusations of leaving its people stranded, the Task Force has decided to allow 19 Guyanese students from the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and 70 Guyanese cruise ship workers attached to Royal Caribbean to return home.
In addition, the Task Force approved applications from four Guyanese in St Vincent to return home via SVG Air. Applications from 10 Guyanese in St Maarten to return were also approved.
However, the Task Force took pains to warn that any person who tests positive for COVID-19 would not be permitted entry into Guyana, and that all arriving passengers must undergo the PCR testing.
The force warned that if a pre-test is not available, prior written consent is required from each arriving passenger for quarantine, if deemed necessary by the Public Health Ministry. The force also emphasised that the applicants or their employers have to bear all costs for their return. Guyanese can visit https://www.minfor.gov.gy/featured/travel-advisory-for-repatriation-of-guyanese-nationals-stranded-overseas/ for more information. Contact can also be made with Foreign Service Officer Comica Johnson on telephone numbers (592) 618-4929 or Office (592) 226-1606, Ext 276 for email: [email protected] for more information.