US seeking permission for another flight to take stranded citizens from Guyana

The US Embassy in Guyana is seeking special permission from local authorities to have another commercial relief flight next week to take its citizens stranded here in Guyana home.
Days after recording its first imported case of the COVID-19, Guyana closed its borders including the two major airports to incoming commercial flights until May 1, 2020.
However, the US Embassy has been successful in securing special permission from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to operate service for four commercial relief flights to transport Americans and their families home.
In a social media post on Tuesday morning, the Embassy said it is aware of the hardship the land and airspace border closures have created for US citizens who need to return to the United States, assuring that it is exploring all options to address the current travel disruptions.
“We are requesting special permission for another commercial relief flight operated by Eastern Airlines to offer service between Georgetown and Miami early next week,” the foreign mission stated.
As such, the US Embassy is encouraging its citizens as well as legal permanent residents currently in Guyana who wish to depart to consider taking this flight or otherwise prepare to shelter in place in Guyana. The Embassy said it will not be able to offer this service indefinitely.
Those interested in next week’s flight are asked to complete an online form (the link is available on the Embassy’s Facebook page and its website). Once the flight is confirmed, persons will be informed so that they can book their flights.
Meanwhile, the Embassy committed to continuing to post updated health, security and travel information through this travel alert system and on the US Embassy’s Facebook page, as soon as it has further information.
Persons encountering issues completing the online form can also send an email to [email protected] with the subject line “Return Travel to the United States.” If emailing, persons must include the necessary information for each US citizen or US legal permanent resident guardian accompanying minor children in your family or group.
The Embassy can also be reached at email box [email protected] to request assistance with emergency passports or at [email protected] if you have special financial concerns with the cost of repatriation.
Already, the US Embassy has facilitated some 800 citizens here to return home last month.
The last batch to leave Guyana was on March 28 via a chartered flight provided by Eastern Airlines, which has a capacity for 200 passengers per flight. The flight, Georgetown to Miami, was available via a first-come, first-serve basis.
Canada and the United Kingdom have also been taking steps to repatriate their citizens from Guyana in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The two foreign missions have been capitalising on the Eastern Airlines flights, urging its citizens to catch the flight to the US and then take a connecting flight home.
Meanwhile, only Saturday last the Canadian High Commission facilitated the repatriation of 28 citizens on two chartered Trans Guyana Airways flights to Barbados, from where they connected to Canada via an Air Canada flight.