Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Apr 04, 2020 News
-6pm-6am curfew; citizens restricted to home
-no parties, seawalls, clubs, creek, pool, religious gathering
-police has authority to stop vehicle, vessel, airplane; make arrests
Government has announced a partial, countrywide lockdown as part of the response to restrict the spread of the COVID-19, the novel coronavirus disease.
With 23 persons confirmed infected and four dead so far, Guyana would be joining the rest of the world in restricting travel and public gatherings.
In recent days, however, there has been growing fears that the population was not paying heed with persons going about their businesses and even grocery shopping in groups.
Yesterday, the Minister of Public Health speaking of the emergency measures released, said that persons will be restricted to their homes with only essential workers allowed out.
The restrictions have halted all crowds at weddings and funeral and religious place of worships and even at creeks and pools.
Persons will not even be allowed to visit patients at hospitals or elderly persons at the Palms.
The measures were criticized for not being worded carefully and even not addressing what happens to media workers and houses.
However, it has been clarified that media workers will be allowed to continue their work.
Below is the full statement as issued by Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence.
“These emergency measures are made pursuant to the paragraphs (1) and (2)(b) of the Direction by the President, given under the Public Health Ordinance, Cap. 145, and published in the Gazette, Legal Supplement B, 16th March 2020.
The measures shall take effect from the 3rdApril, 2020 and last for one month unless earlier terminated, extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Public Health after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions.
1. Restriction to home
Except as otherwise provided in this notice every person shall remain in the confines of his or her home and its yard space.
2. Restriction on social activities
No person shall host, attend or visit- a private party; a recreational or competitive sporting event; a wedding, other than the bride, the bridegroom, official witnesses and the marriage officer; a banquet, ball or reception; a bar or rum shop; the seawall; a pool, creek or river; a wake or vigil; a gym; a beauty salon or spa; a club or discotheque; a meeting of a fraternal society, private or social club or civic association or organisation; or any other social activity.
No water sports or recreational activities shall be allowed on any river, creek and internal waters.
No more than 10 mourners, one officiant and the funeral director and the necessary staff shall attend a funeral.
3. Restriction on visitation
No person shall visit or be permitted to visit- any place of quarantine or an isolation facility; a prison or correctional facility; a patient in a hospital, nursing home, senior citizens’ home or any other care facility.
4. Curfew
A curfew is hereby imposed throughout Guyana from the 3rdApril, 2020 to 3rdMay, 2020 between the hours of 6:00pm and 6:00am.
5. Public Service, Statutory Bodies and State-owned Enterprises
All persons employed within the public service, a statutory body or a state-owned enterprise shall work remotely from home, except as may otherwise be directed by the Minister of Public Health acting on the advice of the responsible Ministers and Heads of agencies.
6. Essential Services
Subject to subparagraphs (2) and (3), all services shall remain closed except for the following essential services which may carry on operations for 24 hours- hospitals, healthcare and medical services including pharmacies, drug stores and private veterinary services; nursing homes, orphanages, shelters and other related care centers;
immigration; the Guyana Revenue Authority; electricity services; water supply services; the disciplined forces; prison services; solid waste management, sewerage and janitorial services; air traffic control; Demerara Harbour Bridge and Berbice River Bridge; hotels and accommodation; factories, manufacturers or distributors of food supplies and essential goods including medical supplies where the Minister of Public Health has determined that the continuation of these operations do not pose a risk to public health.
The following services may be opened between 6:00am to 5:00 pm- banks; markets, supermarkets, fruits and vegetable stalls and neighbourhood shops; food services and restaurants only for delivery, drive through and take away services and gas stations.
Any service not listed in subparagraphs (1) and (2) may only continue their services if their employees can work exclusively from home.
7. Social Distancing and Physical Distancing Protocols
Any service mentioned under paragraphs 5 and 6 shall make the necessary arrangements to facilitate social and physical distancing and shall- ensure that all staff and other persons maintain physical distancing of at least six feet in or outside of their establishment, if in a line to enter the establishment; determine the number of persons that may be permitted in the establishment at any one time by permitting one person for every thirty square feet of store space; place distance markers at least six feet apart, indicating where each customer shall stand on a line at a check out point or other line; place distance markers at least six feet apart on the outside of the establishment, indicating where customers shall stand while waiting to enter the establishment.
8. Religious Worship
Except for the conduct of funeral services and weddings, all churches and places of religious worship including mosques and temples shall be closed.
Subparagraph (1) does not prohibit any religious worship by virtual or electronic means provided that if virtual or electronic worship is being carried on in the place of worship the number of persons in that place shall not exceed five persons and the social distancing of six feet between persons shall apply.
9. Domestic Travel
Any person who provides transport within Guyana whether by land, water or air shall not carry in that transport more than half the number of passengers which the motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft is licensed to carry and the operators and passengers of any motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft shall have personal protective equipment.
A motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft shall not be used for a purpose other than a purpose related to a service under paragraphs 5 and 6.
The Police Force shall have powers to stop any motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft and inquire as to the purposes for which that motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft is being utilised, and may arrest anyone found in violation of this paragraph.
Medical evacuation flights shall be allowed with only the patient, one health official and, where necessary, one family member.
10. International Air Travel
The Cheddi Jagan International and Eugene F. Correia International Airports shall remain closed to all international flights except for outgoing flights, cargo flights, medical evacuation flights, technical stops for fuel only and special authorised flights.
11. Offence
Any person who fails to comply with any of these measures commits an offence under Section 152 of the Public Health Ordinance and is liable on summary conviction to the penalty provided under that section.
12. Revocation
All curfews or measures taken under any law or administratively are revoked except those made by the Ministers responsible for Education, Civil Aviation, Maritime, Immigration and Finance.
Made this 3rd day of April, 2020.
Hon. Volda Lawrence
Minister of Public Health
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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