– Only half of the number of passengers will be allowed at one time

THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure has taken a decision to amend the existing schedule for ferry services, in order to facilitate increased carriage and transport of goods and food supplies to various communities, but only half of the regular number of passengers will be allowed to travel at one time.

This decision was taken relative to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which has infected about 55 persons and killed six locally.

As a result of the amendment, the operational timings for the ferry services from Parika to Leguan, Supenaam, Bartica and Wakenaam, were changed. The amendments will take effect from April 16 and will last for one month, unless earlier terminated, extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions.

In a breakdown of the new amendments, the Public Infrastructure Ministry said there will be three “return trips” from Parika to Bartica on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the ferry will depart Parika for Bartica at 5:00hrs and will depart Bartica at 12:30hrs, while on Saturdays, the ferry will leave Parika at 06:00hrs and depart Bartica at 12:30hrs.

For the Leguan to Parika route, there will be two return trips on Wednesdays and Sundays. The ferry will depart Leguan at 07:00hrs and Parika at 16:00hrs.

Additionally, there will be two trips per week from Wakenaam to Parika, on Mondays and Fridays. The ferry is scheduled to depart Wakenaam at 06:00hrs and leave Parika at 16:00hrs.

Lastly, there will be one return trip every day, from Supenaam to Parika. The ferry will depart Supenaam at 07:00hrs and leave the Parika Stelling for Supenaam at 14:00hrs.
“Please further note that as a matter of compliance with international and national guidelines in observance of social distancing, these vessels plying the various routes will only transport half the normal number of passengers,” said the Public Infrastructure Ministry.

This means, no more than 200 persons will be allowed on the ferry, to ensure proper adherence to health and safety measures at this time.

“The ministry sincerely apologises for any inconvenience these measures may cause but reminds the travelling public that it is of paramount importance that the health and safety of the Guyanese populace be taken into consideration, as persons continue to lose their lives as a result of the coronavirus,” said the ministry.

The authorities implored persons to stay at home for their own safety at this time and obey the curfew and directions for the health of the population at large.

The Public Infrastructure Ministry said it will continue to work under the direction of the Government of Guyana, in order to implement measures to reduce the transmission of this deadly virus.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, government had extended its emergency measures to combat the dreaded disease, with the imposition of a 12-hour curfew on citizens. These emergency measures were taken pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) (b) of the directions issued by the President, in accordance with the Public Health Ordinance, Cap. 145, and published in the Official Gazette, Legal Supplement B on March 16, 2020.