Unvaccinated speedboat operators may lose licences
As employers and organisations across Guyana get tough on curbing the spread of COVID-19, the Director General of Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) on Tuesday advised unvaccinated speedboat operators that they may lose their licences or have it suspended if they are caught transporting passengers.
Boat operators at Georgetown/Vreed-en-Hoop Ferry Stelling
In a notice to all water taxi (speedboat) operators, MARAD said that effective August 1, 2021, all captains, bowmen and monitors are required to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.
“Operators are also required to have their vaccination cards along with official identification in their possession, and produce same when requested to do so by a Police Officer, MARAD officer, or any person authorised by the Ministry of Health,” the notice said.
It added that in keeping with paragraph 15 of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (No 20), “no unvaccinated person shall be permitted to operate within the speedboat service, in any part of Guyana.”
Boat operators at Georgetown/Vreed-en-Hoop Ferry Stelling
Except where otherwise provided, MARAD reminded operators that face masks must be worn by all operators, and passengers.
There has been much discussion recently, after several local Private Sector companies have mandated that their unvaccinated workers present negative PCR COVID-19 tests regularly.
In most cases, the costs for these tests are to be borne by the employees.
