Strict Police enforcement key factor in no cases in Region 5 – Deputy Commander

COVID-19 measures

The Police in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) have played a major role in making sure the region stays free of COVID-19 infection. This is the only region that has not recorded a COVID-19 case.

Deputy Commander of Regional Division Five (Mahaica/Berbice) Assistant Superintendent Jermaine Dufu, in explaining some of the measures implemented, said the Police are a key element in implementing the strategies.
Several checkpoints were set up, and the Police worked in conjunction with the Regional Executive Officer, the Regional Health Officer and other stakeholders. The checkpoints house medical personnel who are screening persons entering the Region.
“…so that persons entering the region, if they are COVID-19 positive or they notice certain symptoms, they will take them to the nearest hospital facility for further testing and further screening to be done.”
The deputy commander noted that the Police have been playing a major role in the activity.
“These police officers are basically there to deal with the traffic, as the medical personal deal with the testing. We are kindly asking everyone to give them their fullest cooperation.”
Meanwhile, Dufu said the division has a special unit which deals with the enforcement of COVID-19 measures.
Currently, Region Five is in Phase Three of Guyana’s re-opening process. This allows for clothing, shoe and book stores to operate.
However, persons are required to wear a face mask in public at all times, while public transportation services are permitted to operate at 75 percent of passenger capacity, but no more than ten persons are allowed to gather at any place.
Region Five is one of only two regions where the curfew has been lifted from Monday to Friday. Police have been ensuring that restrictions which are still in effect are adhered to and properly observed.
“What we do is enforce, and while we are not trying to get into any confrontation with members of the public, we must enforce the law. It is our duty to protect, and as a part of us protecting you, you will find that there are some parts of the law that have to be rigidly enforced so that the division can remain safe. It is not only my concern, but the concern of citizens that Region Five, so far not having recorded any COVID-19 case, we remain this way,” Dufu said.
While noting that the efforts have yielded some fruit, Dufu said the Police cannot take all of the credit.
“The credit must go to the citizens within the region. These citizens have assisted us a great lot. We have our hotline that we receive calls to inform us of what is happening, because the Police cannot be here, there and everywhere.”
There have been some violators in the region, and as a result, in excess of 150 persons have been placed before the court for breaching the COVID-19 regulations in that region.
Deputy Commander Dufu is urging residents to continue to support the Police, and to make use of the COVID-19 hotline. He said if persons provide information on persons breaching the COVID-19 regulations, the Police would be deployed to the area. (G4)