“We can’t continue with a prolonged curfew” – President Ali

…as COVID-19 Task Force looks at removing restriction

President Dr Irfaan Ali has instructed the National COVID-19 Task Force to look into removing the current midnight to 4am curfew that was imposed under the Emergency Measures to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus in Guyana.
A national curfew was instituted countrywide following the first COVID case detected in Guyana in March 2020. While the timings have varied over the past two years, the latest renewed measures stipulate a curfew from midnight to 4am.
However, President Ali, speaking at the launch of the 2022 Edition of the “Explore Guyana” magazine on Thursday evening, disclosed that he has asked Prime Minister, Brigadier Ret’d Mark Phillips, who currently heads the COVID-19 Task Force, to engage the various stakeholders with the aim of reviewing the curfew.
According to the Head of State, he wants this to be done as early as today. The President reasoned that dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic is an evolution.
“We saw that there are many studies saying lockdown just help by 0.0001 per cent. What is needed in this stage in dealing with the pandemic are the protocols – ensuring all the agencies have the sanitisation device, ensuring that we continue to educate people on the vaccination programme, ensuring that the guidelines and protocols are observed. But for sure, we can’t continue with a prolonged curfew; and it is my hope and intention that the curfew can be removed once the necessary steps are followed by as early as tomorrow [Friday],” President Ali announced.
When contacted on Thursday evening, Prime Minister Phillips confirmed that the Task Force is currently looking at removing the curfew.
According to the COVID-19 Task Force Head, the matter is currently being discussed.
“Let’s wait and see what will happen tomorrow,” he indicated.
The Prime Minister went on to explain that there is a process that needs to be followed involving the Ministry of Health as well as the Central Board of Health. This process, he noted, has been activated.
Asked whether any of the other existing COVID measures will be relaxed, the Prime Minister said when a decision is made, the public will be notified.
Meanwhile, during his remarks at the magazine launch on Thursday evening, President Ali pointed out that the tourism sector, not just in Guyana but globally, is coming out of two very difficult and hard-hit years.
However, the Head of State noted that Guyana should celebrate the multi-stakeholder approach that has been taken towards resolving this shock and ensuring that the entire shock was not passed over to the sector.
“I think we have done exceedingly well [in] creating that balance… When I say we, it’s the Government partnering with the Private Sector and civil society in creating that balance,” the President asserted.
But with efforts now being undertaken to reverse the curfew, President Ali emphasised that persons need to exercise responsibility since the pandemic is still real. This means following the COVID protocols including the wearing of masks, social distancing, and getting vaccinated.
To date, some 427,680 persons or 83.4 per cent of the adult population have received a first dose of a COVID vaccine while 320,221 or 62.4 per cent have received two doses.
In terms of booster doses, 44,282 persons have received their jabs.
The current COVID-19 measures stipulate that from 04:00h to 23:00h, stakeholders can continue to access services at banks, markets, supermarkets, grocery shops, gas stations, postal or shipping services, beauty salons, barbershops, hardware stores, clothing stores; or other maintenance services.
Other services including food services, restaurants, bars (including those at hotels) can facilitate delivery, drive-thru, curb-side pick-up and take away services between this time. Self-service buffet dining is still prohibited. Gambling, pool, and snooker games are not allowed at bars.
Indoor and outdoor dining is also permitted within the same hours at 60 per cent capacity, tables spaced six feet apart, and patrons above the age of 12 in possession of their vaccination card with accompanying identification document.
There are still restrictions on social activities, where no one shall host or attend a private party, banquet, ball, reception, hotel swimming pool or waterpark, wage, vigil, club, discotheque, social club, civil organisation or association, fraternal society; or any other social activity. Sporting events require approval from the Ministry of Health.
Casinos, betting shops, or cinemas can still operate but only at forty per cent capacity of the building or seating area. Patrons will only be allowed entry upon possession of a vaccination card to show their immunisation status. (G8)