…Region 9 authorities say as calls grow for border to be closed

AMID calls for the border at the Takutu Bridge to be closed, the Regional COVID-19 Task Force of the Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo, Region Nine, is exploring every option to safeguard the health and wellness of its residents.

This was disclosed by the Regional Health Officer, Dr. Naail Uthman, the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported. The region has thus far recorded one case of the novel coronavirus which was imported from Brazil. Dr. Uthman said this is more reason why “all hands are on deck to prevent the coronavirus from spreading in the region.” He said among the many measures being implemented is sanitisation.

He specifically pointed out that, “every Thursday we would sanitise goods and services coming from Brazil to Lethem to ensure that whatever is on this side of the border is safe for residents to utilise.”

It was explained that on Thursdays only, there is a controlled entry of goods from Brazil and the Health team, supported by the Agriculture department sanitise all items which can range from food to construction supplies. Brazil has been recognised as the epicentre for coronavirus transmission in South America. This country shares more than 1000 miles of border with Guyana which means stringent monitoring is needed to prevent any imported case of COVID-19.

While efforts are being executed by the task force to ensure this remains in place, communities have been doing their part. Dr. Uthman added, “Border patrols are of importance to us. Our police and Defence Force have been collaborating in monitoring some of these borders ensuring that persons do not cross either side illegally. Toshaos and other village leaders are also assisting in the whole coronavirus fight as they have been able, thus far, to set up checkpoints in their villages, disseminate information and assist us in monitoring the borders.”

Region Nine began preparation for COVID-19 with a training session and to date, seven such sessions have been conducted in all five sub-districts. Added to this, five screening sites, namely at the Lethem Hospital, Aishalton Hospital, Sand Creek Health Centre, Karasabai health centre and Annai health centre have been established. A quarantine facility and an isolation room have been set up in Lethem. Dissemination of information and sensitisation are ongoing via social media, flyers, and radio. The residents in this region are being asked to adhere to health advisories as it will help in protecting themselves and loved ones from contracting the coronavirus disease.

Meanwhile, Guyana Chronicle reported on Wednesday that as the number of COVID-19 cases in neighbouring Brazil continues to surge, the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) is calling on the authorities to close the border at the Takutu River bridge for another three months.

Although the number of cases in Brazil has climbed over 374,000, second only to the United States, a number of residents of the town of Lethem and nearby villages along the border have been crossing the Takutu River illegally. The RCCI noted in a release that two months ago, the international border at the Takutu River Bridge was officially closed to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus. The body said that only priority goods have been allowed to enter Guyana on Thursdays, after a process of sanitisation, conducted by the Ministry of Public Health and the Guyana Livestock Development Authority.

“So far, it seems that the decision to close the border is justified and has helped in a
significant way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 into Lethem and the wider Rupununi Region,” the RCCI said. The RCCI said that on any normal day, hundreds of Brazilians from the Northern States of Brazil would visit Lethem to shop various merchandise. These persons would not normally be required to undergo any major checks upon entering the Port Complex at Lethem and most times a visual check is conducted by Guyanese authorities of the persons entering and leaving.

It was noted that Brazilians would travel from Manaus, which is almost 1000km away from Lethem. It was noted that Manaus presently has over 29,000 persons infected with COVID-19 and Boa Vista has almost 2,500.Hospitals in both cities are overwhelmed with patients. The recovery rate is slow and the death rate continues to climb, the RCCI said.

It noted too that gold prices are at an all-time high, and for many years, thousands of Brazilians have travelled to and from Georgetown and interior locations to work in the mining industry. “Certainly, the high price for gold would again encourage them to travel and pose a big risk of bringing the deadly coronavirus with them,” the RCCI said.

It noted that Guyana does not have the capacity to handle any drastic increase of the infection of the population, adding that the number of positive COVID-19 cases have been slowly climbing. “In order to ensure that this does not get out of control, we need to ensure the Guyana-Brazil border remains closed to people traffic until the situation in Brazil is under control,” the RCCI said.

The body called on the National COVID-19 Task Force to ensure that the border remains closed at least for the next three months or until such time as it is safe to reopen to regular traffic. Residents of Lethem are perturbed that ranks of the Guyana Police Force, stationed in the area, have been frequenting the neighbouring town of Bonfim on a regular basis in recent days. A resident at Bonfim noted that the ranks were seen purchasing alcohol at shops in the town today. It was noted that the ranks paid little attention to their safety.