– persons with symptoms of COVID-19 urged not to travel

THE United States (US) Embassy has requested permission from the Government, through the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), for another special commercial relief flight, in addition to four others previously requested, to assist US citizens and residents to leave the country.

In a health alert on Wednesday, the US Embassy said that the number of requests being made has caused the period to be an interestingly challenging one.

It noted that, while several flights have been successful thus far, the Embassy will not be able to facilitate such transport indefinitely.

“We are aware of the hardship land and airspace border closures have created for U.S. citizens who need to return to the United States. We have been exploring all options to address the current travel disruptions since Guyana closed its airspace to commercial flights on March 18. To date, we have requested special permission from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority to operate service for four commercial relief flights to transport Americans and their families home,” the alert stated.

It added: “We are requesting government’s permission for another special commercial relief flight, operated by Eastern Airlines, to offer service between Georgetown and Miami on Tuesday April 14, 2020. If you are a U.S. citizen or Legal Permanent Resident currently in Guyana who wishes to depart, we strongly encourage you to consider taking this flight or prepare to shelter in Guyana. We will not be able to offer this service indefinitely and cannot promise additional flights will be either available or approved throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Flights will also be available in the coming week but the US Embassy has urged persons not to travel if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. They have been instructed to follow Guyana’s Ministry of Health instructions instead.

Guyana’s ban on international travel has been extended to May 1, 2020 to prevent imported cases of COVID-19.

The ban first took effect on March 18, 2020 for 14 days and was extended for an additional 30 days based on the recommendation of the GCAA.

With the ban, exception has been given to outgoing flights; cargo flights; medevac flights; technical stops by airplanes for fuel and special authorised flights.

During the last few weeks, these exceptions have been utilised and were approved by the Task Force based on requests submitted.

Those interested travellers are to complete the necessary form at:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx id=dFDPZv5a0UimkaErISH0SyCOHfef1n9OpjpMdC14Xk1UOExMWkZNQUlLUFhPWUJCUlZUTjdQRVpQUC4u