…COVID-19 taskforce warns nationals against such move

THE National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) is calling on Guyanese, particularly those in the Corentyne, to refrain from entering Suriname illegally by boat, amidst reports that a dozen Guyanese were earlier this week apprehended in the Dutch nation’s waters and returned at Moleson Creek.

The returned individuals are said have been immediately placed under institutional quarantine by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH). It is unsure if the persons were attempting to use the ‘back track’ port to enter the country however, those returned claimed they were fishing.

“There have been instances involving 12 persons in the past two days arrested by the Surinamese and dropped off back in Guyana. Some had Guyanese ID and some didn’t have. They claim to have been fishing,” a source close to the issue reported.

They added that: “There are two aspects to this: one, people are going fishing and entering Suriname waters and the second aspect is that the ‘back track’ is continuing. There is an issue with the ‘back trackers’ as well.”

Though the task force did not make mention of the persons being caught and returned, following a virtual meeting, the task force, on Thursday, called on persons to desist, in a statement issued. “Those who do so may be subject to seizure of their vessel and engine, arrest and deportation. Persons deported will be subject to the MoPH mandatory quarantine protocols. Neither the NCTF nor the Government of Guyana can commit to making diplomatic or other representation on their behalf for the return of their vessels and/or engines,” the statement said.

The statement also announced that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is also expected to commence a campaign to advise against and discourage persons who are found gathering in public spaces, as concerns continue over the large number of persons who are still ignoring advisories against doing so, to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

“The NCTF pleads with all Guyanese to play their part. The NCTF urges persons to ‘decluster’ in public spaces, to zealously practice social distancing and to refrain from socialising. Guyanese are advised to spend as little time in public as is possible and to only leave their homes when absolutely necessary.

The NCTF also called on business operators, especially those operating non-essential businesses, to adopt reasonable measures and practices to discourage persons from gathering in large numbers and from engaging in socialising, particularly at late hours into the night.
The NCTF is headed by Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, and includes ministers from the Ministries of Public Health, Legal Affairs, Public Security, Finance, Foreign Affairs, Education, Communities, Public Infrastructure, Natural Resources and Citizenship.

The NCTF commended the Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, and dedicated officials at the Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC) for the tireless work they have been doing, which has seen the country containing the spread of COVID-19 , to just the five confirmed cases to date.

The NCTF also commended the Guyana Association of Bankers for their decision to reduce banking hours, which will result in minimising the contact time for members of the public consistent with social distancing practices. Guyana recorded its first case of the coronavirus on March 11, when a 52-year-old woman died. Four persons subsequently tested positive, however, they were all related to the initial patient.

All five of the cases recorded thus far were imported, with the country yet to record a case occurring via local transmission.

The NCTF reminded of the closure of the airports to incoming international flights, save and except technical stops for aircraft that require fuel and specially authorised flights. Specially authorised flights being flights considered only in extreme humanitarian and emergency cases. Outgoing cargo flights and outgoing medivac flights will continue to be permitted.

Declared a pandemic by the WHO, the coronavirus has spread to 199 countries, infecting almost half a million persons according the WHO statistics as at last Thursday. Over 21,000 persons have since died as a result of being infected.