DESPITE the efforts of the authorities at Lethem to stem the spread of the Coronavirus by putting several measures in place, residents on both sides of the border continue to utilize illegal river crossings at the border town, especially at nights.

The Takutu Bridge has been closed temporarily and is only opened to facilitate the passage of essential goods on Thursdays; however, according to reports from Lethem, persons have been using several illegal river crossings to get to and from areas on both sides of the border, during the day, and especially at nights.

Residents of the town, including leading members of the business community, have since called on the authorities to enforce the law.

In one instance, on Thursday afternoon, at least four persons were captured heading back to the village of St Ignatius near Lethem on bicycles, after crossing the almost dry Takutu River.

But some residents noted that there are no other alternatives for persons to earn a living since persons living at Bom Fin work at Lethem and vice versa. Last month, the authorities in Brazil had agreed to persons being able to cross into that country at specific times during the day. However, that measure has been scrapped, as a restriction to cross was put in place from April 2, 2020 for 30 days.

Several weeks ago, as Brazil recorded new cases of the coronavirus, the authorities closed a gate on the main highway connecting the town of Boa Vista with Lethem. Later, the closure was amended in which only vehicles with essential goods were given the green-light to cross, on Thursdays only.

Several measures were implemented by the Lethem Town Council, based on recommendations of a regional task force, to prevent the spread of the virus from across the border.

Brazil has recorded over 17,800 cases of COVID-19, with the number of deaths listed at 941.