Stranded Guyanese having ‘issues’ with COVID-19 tests – Patterson

Most of the stranded Guyanese that are hopeful to depart Miami for Guyana aboard an Eastern Airlines flight are facing a setback in their efforts to return home due to “issues” with their COVID-19 tests.
Caretaker Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson said on Friday is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying that while some of the passengers have been deemed ineligible, the Government will continue to facilitate the repatriation of the eligible persons.
Patterson encouraged stranded Guyanese to continue to register with the Foreign Affairs Ministry along with Guyana’s embassies and consulates in the respective countries.
Other flights to bring home stranded citizens over the coming weeks will depart Barbados, Trinidad and Miami.
On May 22, the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) approved the repatriation of nearly 300 Guyanese nationals. Each person is subjected to a list of strict guidelines.
Under stringent instructions, the returning nationals will be subjected to a 7-day quarantine at their respective residences. None of the persons will be permitted to leave their homes during the 7 days except to seek emergency medical services.
The NCTF has extended the emergency measures from June 3 to June 19.
Guyanese who will be repatriated home will be mandated to spend one week in self-quarantine at home.
This was decided by the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) on Tuesday, clarifying that this quarantining is to be done at the respective homes of these persons. Over the course of seven days, they are not permitted to leave their homes for any reasons, other than to seek emergency medical attention. To return home, persons must complete the repatriation form and submit a COVID-19 PCR test 48 hours prior to arrival. Only persons with negative results will be permitted to enter Guyana. This new revelation means Government has ditched the idea of quarantining these persons at guest houses or hotels. Initially, a notice by the Public Health Ministry had said that persons returning home could stay at the Government-assigned quarantine facilities or pay for accommodation at designated hotels. The hotels listed were Brandsville Apartments at Pike Street, Kitty, and Bacanas Guest House at Charlotte Street, Georgetown.