…several stranded persons of the island booked to travel

A 45-year-old Guyanese man, George Mars, who lives in St. Maarten, has been stuck in Guyana since mid-March, but will be reunited with his family next week, as the Government approved several chartered flights to leave and come to Guyana.

Mars told the Guyana Chronicle that he came to Guyana on March 14, to work on an apartment project he is doing here. His stay was only scheduled to be one week, but it was during that time the decision was made to close off the airports, and he got stuck here in excess of two months.

Leaving his wife and three sons ages 13, 8 and 4 in St. Maarten, the man said he usually travels on business as he has his own construction and welding company, but doesn’t stay away so long from his wife and young children. However, Mars said his two-month stay here was not all dejection, because Guyana is his home too. He said he got to travel and see many places that he would not have gotten to see if his stay was not as long.

Additionally, he has a 26-year-old son and a grandson here, and the downtime afforded him the opportunity to spend time with them, surrounded by other family and friends who are happy to help him in this time of need. “But it is time to go back to St. Maarten because my money is finished”, he said, and he has his business to continue running and his family over there who needs him, and maintenance.

As such, he is looking to return to them in the new week with a private chartered flight that was organised by the Consulate of St. Maarten and approved by the government of Guyana.
He said that thus far, seven persons are confirmed for the flight but they are looking for at least three more persons to fill the plane. Each passenger, Mars said, is responsible for paying for himself/herself, just like a regular flight, and the ticket amounts to about US$800. But if more persons come on board, the price will amount to less.

If you are in Guyana, but you live in St. Maarten, or if you know anyone who does, and will like to return in the new week, you can make contact with Mars on +592 608 7586 who will provide you with the information on how to book.

On Monday it was announced that the government of Guyana has approved the controlled re-entry of over 100 Guyanese to their homeland from countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent, St. Maarten and Cuba. This was one of the main decisions of the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) made during its weekly statutory virtual meeting on Monday. Approval for re-entry has been given for a total of 70 Guyanese cruise ship workers attached to Royal Caribbean to return by air; 19 Guyanese students of the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad; 10 Guyanese in St Maarten and four Guyanese in St. Vincent to return via SVG Air.

Additionally, the application for returning of trade unionist Komal Chand’s body and his wife from Cuba has been approved.

An application from CARICOM was also approved for a team of officials, based in Guyana, to travel to Suriname to observe the Surinamese election scheduled for May 25, 2020 and return to Guyana thereafter. Despite the given consent, the NCTF noted that the approvals are subject to satisfaction of the requirements of the Ministry of Public Health and other relevant ministries and agencies and the cost of return being borne by the applicants.
Pointing to the specifics, the task force said that results of COVID-19 tests (PCR with results in English Language) must be provided 48 hours in advance of an individual’s arrival. If pre-tests are not available, prior written consent must be provided by each arriving passenger for quarantine, if deemed necessary by the Ministry of Public Health.
Meanwhile, an application from Caribbean Princess cruise line for 63 Guyanese crew members to return via sea was not approved, given the risks involved with seaport entry.