– urges GTUC, calls on gov’t to establish ‘stimulus package’

WITH Guyana’s electoral process yet to be completed, the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC) said political leaders should “set aside their differences” and turn their attention to the fight against the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The GTUC called on all concerned persons to put politics aside, come together and focus on protecting the lives of health care workers and every individual trapped within the borders of Guyana.

The expectation is that relevant government agencies and the business community will join in and lend full support. In this situation it is not about the fittest and richest surviving, said the congress, noting that it is about all being at risk and facing the potential exhaustion of limited human and material resources, even death.

“We, the people of Guyana want this government to place no hindrances in the way, political or otherwise, in addressing the public health safety and wellbeing of every single Guyanese. This is not time for politicking. This is not time for division. This is not the time, GTUC dares to say, to question the potential of corruption.

“It is not a time to compromise the lives of Guyanese citizens or attempt to affect the performance of this government in addressing the needs in fighting this pandemic that threatens our health care facilities, our limited health care resources and our tiny nation,” said the GTUC in a press statement, on Saturday.

The congress said Guyana is at risk of facing a national health care crisis because of COVID-19, if it fails to adequately respond to this public health risk.  The potential for the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capacity throughout this country being taxed is real. And, the congress believes that unnecessary administrative procedures and concerns, which can be addressed in review, must stop the government’s endeavour to safeguard the life of every Guyanese.

SAFETY
“The safety of all lies in the safety of one. In Guyana, it only took one person arriving on a plane to spread the virus.  The possibility exists with the hundreds exposed from this one source. Guyana’s figure is likely to escalate.

“Therefore, there must be no obstruction, no delay in fighting this virus to save every single life currently locked down, with no choice of leaving even if they stand a better chance of survival in other society.  All attempts at cheap politics with COVID-19 and the health of all must stop,” said the GTUC.

This country is reported to be among the least prepared countries for this pandemic, which has resulted in countries “scrambling” to shut borders, businesses and other sections of society. In the United States of America (USA), the world’s superpower, there are grave concerns about the adequacy of supply to meet the needs of the people. Not only of those who fall sick but the consequential needs as a result of this disease and the potential pervasive impact it has on societies.

“We see what is happening in other countries. In the USA for instance, state governors begging a reluctant federal government to support them in their fight against this virus,” said the GTUC, noting that in Guyana’s case, government has responded to make sure that adequate preparation can be put in place without financial constraints.
In this regard, GTUC joined hands with the Federation of Independent Labour Unions of Guyana (FITUG) in calling on citizens and workers to embrace all the measures put out by government, healthcare experts and supporting international agencies to stop the spread of COVID-19.

GTUC commended the Bank of Guyana (BoG) and other stakeholders for their efforts to cushion or minimise economic fallout, but called on government to examine a “stimulus package,” not excluding tax incentive and VAT exemption for essential goods and services, for workers and citizens whose economic well-being would be impacted in this crisis, one way or the other.

EXECUTIVE ORDERS
President David Granger had issued executive orders in alignment with the Public Health Ordinance.

The orders, which were gazetted on March 16, 2020, direct various ministers of government to take “necessary steps” to guard against the spread of COVID-19.

With Guyana recording four cases of COVID-19 so far, President Granger, through the order, said immediate action is necessary to address the virus. In that regard, he directed Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, to “restrain, segregate and isolate” persons suffering from the disease or those who may be affected from exposure to the infection.

This and other measures will be executed in accordance with the Public Health Ordinance and international standards to prevent and control the spread of the disease. It is also provided for under Article 24 of the Constitution which states that every citizen of Guyana has the right to free medical treatment. President Granger, as part of the order, has even called on the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and other law enforcement agencies to provide assistance with the enforcement of the various measures, where necessary.

Among the menu of measures ordered by President Granger was the containment of persons who may show signs of COVID-19 and the provision of curative treatment for persons who are suffering from the disease.

The President also directed Minister Lawrence to remove, disinfect and destroy the personal effects, goods, buildings and any other article, material or thing exposed to infection from the disease. The minister was also ordered to prevent the spread of the disease on the seas, rivers and waters of Guyana, and on the high seas within twelve miles from the baseline, as well as on land.

“Diagnose, prevent or check the disease, including the prohibition or restriction of movement of persons and public and private conveyances of any kind whatsoever within and to and from an infected area,” said the Head of State.