By Lisa Hamilton

ESSENTIAL food items needed to sustain businesses and consumption in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) are being transported over the Guyana-Brazil border and are thoroughly sanitised by authorities prior to collection.

The sanitisation efforts are being conducted by the Ministry of Public Health, in collaboration with the Region Nine Agriculture and Environmental Health Departments.

On Monday, Regional Health Officer (RHO) Dr. Naail Uthman said the Regional Task Force has decided to allow the entrance of food items critical to businesses, only on Thursdays, from 08.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs.

Previously, business owners would facilitate their own transport at any time that is most suitable to them. Now, the process is overseen by the police and immigration officers, along with the health authorities.

The trucks of goods cross the border and stop at the port health area, some two minutes away from a Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) location there.

Goods must be off-loaded on wooden pallets and employees, in protective gear, utilising mist blowers with a bleach solution, sanitise the items. Prior to the close of the borders, an alcohol-based solution was used for vehicles coming in to the region.

“All protocols are observed. People wear their goggles, their suits, face masks, long boots, everything,” he said. Business owners stand nearby awaiting with their own trucks for the collection of the goods.

The items coming across include fruits, vegetables, eggs, meat, beverages, salt and more. There is no limit to the number of vehicles which can transport the goods. Those involved must simply stick to the time limit.

Meanwhile, Dr. Uthman said that efforts have gone out to the sanitisation of public places such as the Lethem Hospital, the Amerindian Hostel, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) buildings, police stations, markets and more.

Regarding social distancing measures in place, he stated: “We don’t have a 100 per cent compliance at this point but, for the most part, yes. We’ve been able to visit some of the businesses, organisations, banks etcetera and they have implemented, not only social distancing, but putting up handwashing bays and hand sanitisers within their institutions or organisations.”

He said that for the majority of days Lethem remains traffic-free, as most persons are staying indoors while persons breaking the guidelines for social distancing are being dealt with by the police.

Apart from this, the main Lethem-Guyana border aside, the Regional Health Officer (RHO) said that there has been some trouble with persons traversing other lesser-known borders in the Rupununi to Brazil and Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

“We have over 20 borders and we have several that persons are capitalising on now that it’s dry season,” he said.

“Some persons are utilising unconventional times to cross those borders so that remains a challenge. The police are doing their best; we’re asking the military to assist as well and we continue to sensitize.”

Dr. Uthman said that the involved stakeholders are also utilising PA systems and other media to disseminate information on how persons can protect themselves from the deadly coronavirus.

The government of Brazil closed its border with several countries including Guyana earlier in March. It saw the gate along the highway linking Lethem with Bom Fin being closed to traffic. Brazil has over 10,000 cases of covid-19 and over 400 deaths.