Suriname President, delegation test negative for COVID-19
– US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch also tests negative
In light of the announcement that Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Hugh Todd was tested positive for COVID-19, President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi and members of his delegation who were in Guyana had their test done on Wednesday.
From left to right: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Hugh Todd; President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali; His Excellency, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of Suriname, and Ambassador Albert Ramdin, Surinamese Minister of Foreign Affairs
One day after, news emanating from the Dutch-speaking country reported that His Excellency Chan Santokhi and his delegation who attended the inauguration ceremony of Guyana’s President Dr Irfaan Ali have tested negative for the virus.
The Surinamese Head of State and his delegates would have been in contact with Minister Todd during their recent visit to Guyana. President Santokhi and his team have resumed their work schedule according to protocols, a Surinamese media outlet reported.
During the delegation’s visit to Guyana, it would have had several meetings with key stakeholders including the Private Sector, other Ministers of Government and President Ali where discussions were held on areas for cooperation between the two nations.
US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch and Foreign Affairs Minister, Hugh Todd during their meeting earlier this week
On Wednesday, President Irfaan Ali announced that Todd was tested positive for COVID-19. As such, the President had ordered that all Ministers be tested for the virus. He said that all Ministers will be required to work remotely.
Meanwhile, the United States of America Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch and her Deputy Chief of Mission both tested negative for COVID-19.
In a brief statement on Thursday, the Ambassador said the Embassy community is committed to the protocols laid out by Guyana’s Ministry of Health with regard to COVID-19.
Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd, who tested positive, had engagements with the local diplomatic community, including the US Ambassador.
