…quick action by GPOC broke long lines

THE Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) said a number of pensioners failed to heed to precautionary measures established to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), when they turned up at the Bourda Post Office and GPOC’s Head Office to uplift their pension on Wednesday morning.

At the Bourda Post Office, pensioners were seen standing in long line, in extremely close range at a time when the Ministry of Public Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have mandated that persons practice social distancing by standing at least six feet apart.

“At the head office, senior citizens were seen breaking the lines that preceded the opening of the office and refusing to heed the security officers in maintaining appropriate social distances. This resulted in a delay in the opening of the office,” GPOC said, as it explained part of the challenge experienced.

The need to replenish funds also formed part of the problem, the post office said, and for that it had apologised.

“Regrettably, while payments got off to a smooth start at the Bourda Post Office, due to the large turnout of senior citizens, there was a need for the security company to replenish the funds during the morning. This created a lull in the payments. Fortunately, an hour later and with the assistance of additional police ranks called to maintain a safe distance between individuals at the post office, the situation was rectified, and the smooth flow of payments resumed,” it summarised.

The Post Office Corporation said it was pleased that it only experienced hiccups at two of the 64 locations across the country. GPOC has put in place a number of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including the sanitisation of persons at post offices. Added to that, lines are marked on the floor to maintain social distancing, and this, according to GPOC, is enforced by staff. “Hand sanitisers are given to everyone accessing the building, and the areas are continuously sanitised during the day,” the Post Office Corporation further added.

It also used the opportunity to remind pensioners and their families that the back of the pension voucher can be endorsed, giving permission for a member of the family to uplift the pension payment on their behalf. To further reduce the spread of the COVD-19, GPOC is asking senior citizens to avoid the rush on the first and second days of pension payments. It also used the platform to express gratitude to Demerara Distillers Limited for donating 64 large bottles of office sanitisers, the Rotary Club for their donation of masks, sanitisers, and gloves, and the Guyana Police Force for their assistance.

“GPOC apologises for the inconvenience experienced at the two offices, and we will continue to work to ensure that the smooth flow is experienced at all of our 64 locations,” it iterated.

To date, there have been 19 recorded cases of COVID-19 inclusive of two deaths. Guyanese, like persons across the world, are being asked to stay at home, constantly sanitise their hands and belongings, and wear face masks to prevent the spread of the virus.