– in spite of strict COVID-19 guidelines

WITH the number of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases now pegged at over 900, it is critical that Guyanese everywhere take heed of the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families against the virus.

Persons are advised to wear a face mask and practise social distancing at all times when heading out into the public, however, one of the biggest issues of the day is the country’s minibus culture, which sees a few operators and commuters not adhering to the health guidelines.

Recently, following the relaxation of a few of those guidelines, several minibus operators have taken it upon themselves to go back to their old habits, one of which is to over-pack the vehicle, asking passengers to ‘double-up’, which leaves little to no room for the practising of social distancing.
Minibuses are Guyana’s primary mode of public transportation, and as such the previous Government had mandated that minibus operators carry half the number of passengers that they usually would, as a means of slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus.

However, Guyana, as always, has historically had the misfortune of having an unpleasant minibus culture, and with the current health crisis, it seems to be worsening.
President of the United Minibus Association Eon Andrews, in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, revealed that despite the continuous spread of the deadly coronavirus, several minibus operators are still not adhering to the measures to slow it down.

Andrews noted that he was initially optimistic that the COVID-19 pandemic would have prompted minibus operators to be more compassionate towards their passengers by putting their safety first during this particular health crisis.

“You have to be concerned about the people that travel with you; the commuters,” Andrews said, adding: “A part of your job is to take them safely and in comfort. The public health ordinance, which takes its guidance from the World Health Organisation (WHO) states that there must be some form of social distancing or spacing.”
He said that for the safety of themselves and others, minibus operators should ideally only carry half the number of passengers that they usually would. “It has to be 65% per cent, which affords minibus operators to carry two passengers per seat, and one additional in the front seat; no seat should carry more than two,” he said.
He said that he has come to realise that there are still many minibus operators who are not wearing their protective gear while working.

THEIR DON’T-CARE ATTITUDE
He added that this nonchalant ‘don’t care’ attitude of theirs can cause a rapid transfer of the virus, and as such while the minibus association can continue with their sensitisation and educational programmes, stricter penalties are needed for operators to adhere to the necessary guidelines.
Stating that it is the ‘hustle mentality’ that keeps them from placing their health and the health of others first, Andrews said, “They are putting money in front, not recognising that we are in a pandemic… This is a very indisciplined society we are living in; they only react when it affects them personally, or their family, and it cannot go on like that.”

He was, however, quick to point out that there are few operators who have been taking heed with the rising number of cases, and adhering to the necessary guidelines.
“I have found that there are very good service providers; there are persons who are of a very small percentage who understand…They recognise what they have to do to practise social distance,” he said.

He disclosed that the Minibus Association is in the process of engaging the various stakeholders, such has the Ministry of Business, Ministry of the Presidency and the traffic department of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to have a number of discussions on the country’s main mode of transportation and the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.