MINERS are advised to avoid unnecessarily entering Amerindian villages, and refrain from entertaining local inhabitants from those villages to stem the spread of the COVID-19 virus according to measures outlined in a newly-released protocol and guidelines developed by the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health.

In cases where miners need to past through Amerindian villages to access their lands, permission should be sought from the respective Toshaos, and persons are to refrain from interacting with members of the village while in transit. Transit should preferably be done by vehicle.

Miners are also asked to, where practical, encourage their staff to work longer rotations at the camp sites, advising that staff spend 12 weeks instead of the typical six weeks; in so doing, limiting the amount of new personnel coming into the operation on a monthly basis.

And staff are encouraged to ensure to travel with an adequate amount of clothing that will allow them to have a fresh change of clothes on a daily basis. The guidelines were all contained in a document called “Covid-19 Advisory and Worksite Safety Plan for the Small and Medium Scale Mining Community” which outlines the application of recognised COVID-19 prevention measures in the mining camp settings.

“The guidelines were compiled based on the GGDMA’s knowledge of what is practical and applicable to the local mining industry. The document will be regularly updated and modified as the situation demands and will be done in collaboration with the health authorities,” a statement from the GGDMA stated. The measures follow the general principles of social distancing; covering of the face with the use of masks; and sanitising of hands and surfaces as often as is possible or as necessary given the frequency of contact. Heightened attention has been placed on preventing the spread of COVID-19 virus in mining areas following spikes of cases in Regions One and Seven. Earlier this month, the government effected lockdowns of mining areas in Moruca in Region One and Aranka/Arangoy Landing in Region Seven, as the situation escalated.

For the miners, recommendations in the plan includes screening of all personnel before entry into mining locations, and that persons exhibiting any of the COVID-19 symptoms, including a high temperature, be prohibited from entering the work ground or main camp.

It also called for the provision of adequate supplies of bleach, soap, disinfectant, wash sinks and paper towels on site, and for all camps to have a temperature gun and for all personnel to be tested.

The list also included already instituted protocols such as limiting the occupants of a vehicle to half, where practical; and sanitising vehicles between use when travelling. Miners should also seek to limit, as far as possible, the number of operators or drivers assigned to operate a specific piece of machinery, in order to limit the infection in the event any of these personnel contract the virus. Also advised is the thorough cleaning in high traffic areas in camp such as lunch tables and frequently clean and disinfect surfaces between shifts or between users. “General Managers of the location must ensure that this takes place and put competent junior managers or other responsible personnel in charge of ensuring that this happens on a daily basis,” the plan said.

For those persons who do exhibit symptoms persons should, where possible, self-isolate in the camp, in a specifically built-for-this-purpose accommodation, away from the main camp and reduce contact with fellow workers.