…face masks mandatory to enter

AS opposed to an order from the Ministry of Public Health permitting markets to operate between 06:00hrs and 17:00hrs, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has fixed its own timing for the opening of the markets and all street vending, at 07:00hrs to 14:00hrs.

The announcement was made on Monday by Mayor, Ubraj Narine, during a live briefing on the M&CC’s Facebook Page. Narine sought to clarify issues surrounding the operations of the municipal markets, saying that while the city council is committed to working along with the government, some of the markets will remain closed until possibly the end of this week.
The purpose of the closure, according to him, is to ensure that all of the markets are sanitised. “We temporarily closed our markets in the interest of vendors, customers,” he remarked.

The Bourda and Stabroek Markets will be reopened to the public today (Tuesday), while the other markets will be opened before the end of this week, providing all systems are in place, Narine stated.

Meanwhile, he said the M&CC stands resolute with the Government of Guyana in combatting the coronavirus disease and will abide by the curfew and measures outlined in government’s emergency measures. The issue of controlling the number of persons entering the markets is currently being addressed, he informed, and anyone who fails to comply with the measures in place is liable to a penalty.

Vendors at the Albouystown Market on Sunday morning, had their items seized and were ordered to desist from vending, even as the Public Health Ministry’s order permitted the opening of markets during the period 06:00hrs to 17:00hrs. The removal of the vendors resulted in hefty losses to the vendors, who complained that there is no one to refund them for the purchases they had made to do business on Sunday morning. Most of the vendors at this particular market sell perishable items. Chief Constable (ag), Peter Livingstone, told the Guyana Chronicle, at the scene, that the vendors were being removed in keeping with the mayor’s announcement of the closure of all markets last Friday. He said he was unaware of the subsequent order by the Ministry of Public Health, permitting the vendors to operate.

FACE MASK MANDATORY

The mayor also announced that wearing a face mask is mandatory to entering any of the municipal markets. He urged that produce be stored six inches above the ground, and for vendors to ensure that social and physical distancing is practiced at their stall/caravan. “For caravan operators, please ensure that a system is in place for persons to be sanitised, whereby a sink equipped with potable water and soap [be utilised], before they access your goods,” he advised, adding that all meats being sold must be packaged and not be left out in open air.
“In conclusion, 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,” the mayor said.