THE Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has added its voice to the call for all to get involved in practising social distancing while the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) called for national unity on Thursday.
Their calls come amid the fight by government to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The GCCI said it welcomes the preparations by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and is ready, willing and able to assist the ministry in its efforts to increase resources to effectively fight COVID-19.

“The GCCI is concerned about the preparations being made to reduce the spread of the virus once local transmission occurs in Guyana. We need to change our behavioral patterns and adopt the approach known as social distancing,” the statement said.

The body said it would like to see a convening of the first meeting of the COVID19 National Taskforce which it was invited to participate in, so that the GCCI can help to relay information to its members as well as give feedback to the taskforce’s coordinated response to the virus.

“Whilst waiting for directions from the national authorities, the GCCI encourages members of the business community and the general public to voluntarily practise social distancing,” GCCI said.

The chamber suggested a number of recommendations including to avoid large gatherings of groups of more than 15 persons and for businesses such as restaurants, bars and similar services to discontinue ‘dine in’ services for customers and facilitate takeout, delivery and ‘drive-thru’ options.

It also suggested that minibus and speed boat owners should sanitise their vehicles and boats after every trip and should try to maintain, if possible, a three-foot distance between each passenger.

“The public should remain calm and refrain from panic buying and hoarding of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and sanitising materials which limits availability for essential personnel who need the materials and are on the frontlines of fighting the spread of the infection,” the chamber said.

In their statement, the GTUC called for all to put aside political differences.
“The coronavirus (COVID-19) will not discriminate between coalition and opposition. If ever the time for national unity, it is now, when all lives are at risk. The most vital resource to a nation is its people and notwithstanding the current political environment we must set aside our differences and fight this disease as one,” the statement said.

GTUC said the health of the nation, the economic well-being of the people and the need for assurance are issues that need to be tackled simultaneously as the country continues the fight against the virus.