— placed on one week self-quarantine

A TIMELY intervention by the Government of Suriname has resulted in the ‘smooth’ and ‘successful’ repatriation of 49 Guyanese, who were stuck in Suriname for more than five months.

According to the Ministry of Health, most of these persons had been in neighbouring Suriname prior to March 2020 and were left ‘stranded’ following the implementation of novel coronavirus COVID-19 guidelines at all ports of entry into Guyana and out of Suriname.

Since Suriname does not administer polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing to persons without symptoms of the COVID-19 disease, Guyanese there could not have fulfilled all the requirements for re-entry, as a negative COVID-19 PCR test, not less than seven days old, is a requirement for immigration authorities to allow entry for passengers into Guyana.

A timely visit to Guyana by the President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, however, changed the fate of those persons as President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, had highlighted the issue.

Following discussions with Dr. Ali, President Santokhi committed that his government would facilitate the PCR testing for Guyanese citizens who wanted to return home.
With further assistance from Guyana’s Ambassador to Suriname, Keith George, and staff of the Guyana Embassy in Paramaribo, all 49 persons were tested and the MB Sandaka Ferry was dispatched to Guyana.

Local authorities conveyed their gratitude to the government and people of Suriname for all the assistance and hospitality afforded to the group of Guyanese while they were staying in Suriname.

As an added precaution, and in keeping with the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 protocols, all 49 persons have been placed self-quarantine, which will last for one week.
It was reported in August that the Government of Guyana brought home over 2,000 Guyanese, including students, who were left stranded overseas as result of the closure of airports, in an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19.

There have since been flights from New York, Miami, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Canada, St. Maarten, Jamaica, Grenada and Curaçao.