By Rabindra Rooplall

MORE than 2,000 persons have been arrested for violating regulations aimed at curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), police have confirmed.

Senior Superintendent, Khali Pareshram, Commander of Regional Division Four (C) which stretches from Industry to Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, has reported that some 800 persons have been arrested for violating the COVID-19 guidelines.

In Regional Division Five, Commander, Senior Superintendent, Edmond Cooper, noted that almost 100 persons were arrested by police.

Commander of Region Three, Senior Superintendent Errol Watts said that some 1,583 persons were arrested in his division; some were charged and others were warned.

Senior Superintendent, Jairam Ramlakhan, who is commander of Region One, said almost 80 persons were charged for violation of the COVID-19 guidelines.

Region 10 Commander, Hugh Winter, reported that some 74 persons are currently before the court for breaking the guidelines while Region Seven Police Commander, Superintendent Dion Moore, said 170 persons were arrested and charged for breaches in the region.

Other commanders noted that many persons were also charged in their district as strict maintenance of public order is most essential but many persons need to be reminded to take the guidelines seriously.

Collectively, it was explained that law enforcement is therefore next only to healthcare in terms of essential services. Police have taken great risks during the lockdown to ensure strict observance of guidelines, including physical distancing, which, in some cases, is the most difficult to enforce.

With the advent of the pandemic and lockdown, many crimes have gone down and some have gone up or will assume new forms in the near future.

It is incumbent on law-enforcement officials to think of ways of dealing with new challenges in maintaining law and order.

Persons are reminded to continue practising social distancing in the workplace, public spaces and while using public transportation to reduce the spread of the coronavirus disease.
They are also reminded to practise frequent hand-washing/sanitising and always wear a face mask if they have to go out.
Guyana’s number of cases has steadily risen over the past month.
The government has implemented a countrywide 6pm to 6am curfew as the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to rapidly increase.

The curfew was announced in order published in the official gazette and will be effective from September 1 to today.

Apart from enforcement, some law enforcement officers have been engaged in other COVID- 19 response and relief efforts including the distribution of food and essential supplies to vulnerable citizens and supporting non-governmental organisations, groups and individuals.