– PM says COVID-19 a national security threat
-businesses face closure for non-compliance with COVID-19 guidelines

By Rabindra Rooplall

WITH COVID-19 being deemed a national security threat, over 500 Guyana Defence Force (GDF) troops will be deployed to assist the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in enforcing the new COVID-19 emergency measures. All citizens countrywide are asked to wear masks and to adhere to the restrictions and the curfew.
The announcement of the Army joining the fight against COVID-19 was made by GDF Chief-of-Staff (ag), Brigadier Godfrey Bess. He was at the time speaking at a news conference where Operation “CoviCurb” was launched by head of the COVID-19 Task Force, Prime Minister, Mark Phillips at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Thursday.
Chief-of-Staff, Bess said the engagement will be in the form of a Joint Service effort as the military troops will work alongside relevant stakeholders and partners interfacing with citizens.
He explained that the Joint Service will utilise soft cogent approaches to ensure citizens wear masks properly, practice social distancing and adhere to the restrictions of social events and curfew timings.

The Chief-of-Staff said the GDF will be collaborating with civil society across all regions and sub- regions to educate Guyanese to adhere to the national COVID-19 regulations.
“We will also continue to improve the security of the unofficial entries into Guyana at our borders. I call on all citizens and residents across all communities to cooperate and collaborate with us to get this job done; your safety and the safety of your beloved ones are of paramount importance at this time. Work with us to ensure that Guyana and all fellow Guyanese, as well as those who made Guyana their homes, rise above this current situation,” said the Chief-of-Staff.
Emphasising that no one else needs to be infected, he said no one else needs to die in this pandemic since everyone should be looking out for each other.
“Guyanese are resilient people; we must stem this tide of this infection and ultimately reduce the number of persons who will succumb. Let us be our brothers’ keepers as GDF intensifies its efforts to help in the fight against COVID-19,” he said.

Acting Commissioner of Police, Nigel Hoppie, said the new COVID-19 measure number 10 is effective from October 1, 2020 and new measures and restrictions have been put in place to ensure that persons, families, communities and the country as a whole are safe from the pandemic.

CONTINUOUS PUBLIC EDUCATION

The Guyana Police Force, he said, is in the frontline in the fight against COVID-19 enforcement and will embark on a continuous public education and advisory campaign in order to sensitise members of the public of their individual responsibility.

“The approach will see members of the Joint Services, along with other key stakeholders, working assiduously in a combine effort throughout the country. It is my sincere hope and expectation that efforts will be effective in contributing in a decline in the COVID-19 statistics in Guyana and I just want to call on all to adhere to these measures,” Hoppie said.
Prime Minister Phillips said if persons care about their lives and those in their home, they need to “start by wearing a mask”. He added, “If you don’t have to leave your home, do not leave your home.”

Guyana currently has more than 1,100 active cases of COVID-19. September has been the deadliest month for the pandemic in Guyana, with 41 lives lost in 30 days.
The Prime Minister further said that all businesses countrywide will receive a warning if the breach the guidelines and on the second occasion, there will be a closure.
“That is what we want to communicate clearly across Guyana; first time warning, second time closure! COVID-19 is a threat to national security right now in Guyana,” the Prime Minister said.

He said all measures must be adhered to and all hands have to be on deck to curb the COVID-19.
“This transcends politics and I want to appeal at this stage that whether you are in opposition or whether you are in government, what is important is all of us must now play a role in curbing the spread of COVID-19. Yes, you can criticise what is done by the government but let’s go beyond criticism; get involved in finding solutions, spreading the message, ensuring people adhere to the measures — that is what is important for all Guyanese now,” PM Phillips said.