UG further suspends classes due to increased cases of COVID-19

The University of Guyana has further extended the suspension of classes as threats from COVID-19 continue to reach new heights.
The Transitional Management Committee of the University advised staff and students of both Turkeyen and Tain campuses and the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE) that the institution would be closed until March 30, 2020.
“The extension is now applicable to all staff and students of UG, with the exception of those essential services staff in the registry, bursary, maintenance, security and personnel divisions who will be deployed on service as required. This is a precautionary measure in response to NCV-19,” UG stated.
Initially, the institution had made a decision to suspend all class activities until March 20 after a request from the University of Guyana Student’s Society (UGSS).
However, it positioned that scientific data shows a larger population of infected persons, which cannot be ignored.
“The University relies on scientific evidence emerging and based on modelling of the infection in large countries already affected, thus, the most effective means of managing NCV-19 is through mass containment procedures in the period of highest vulnerability, that is within 14 days of exposure,” the University indicated.

UGSS had noted in their request that security has been a factor of paramount concern, as many students have chosen to relocate to other locations. The extended break would afford persons enough time to establish proper mechanisms.
“We know these past few days have been uncomfortable for you all. Same goes for us. Some of us have been made to switch our locations due to security concerns for ourselves and our family… Secondly, let this not be known as an extension to a semester break, but rather, the University closing down for a week so as to have proper and better systems in place where the security concerns of us all, can be guaranteed,” UGSS stated.
In sharing their motive for this request, the student organ said that campus should also be closed owing to transportation constraints. While that may be the issue for many, those travelling from Berbice have shown fear amid protest actions across the region.
“Let us vehemently state, we strongly disagree with any suggestion that school be reopen as per normal for the coming week. There has been, to us, little to no real assessment of the transportation burden that our current political climate has imposed on our students…A vast majority of our students (over 1000) comes from Linden alone. Those who are coming from the Region Three area will now find it difficult to travel also as most buses have stopped working,” the statement indicated.