— no passenger flight on first day; airline applications being reviewed, says Field

GROWING economic challenges caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has pushed local authorities to reopen its international airports to commercial travel, from today, and President, Dr. Irfaan Ali is confident they are ready and prepared to operate safely and in a way that minimises importation of COVID-19 cases.
Though no flight is expected today, the country will soon see a number of commercial flights “touching down,” but there are strict guidelines which will have to be adhered to, said President Ali.
“I have given the most careful consideration, after due consultations with many stakeholders including the ministers of public works and health, and the civil aviation authority, to reopen our two international airports, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and Eugene F. Correia International Airport, to commercial operations,” said President Ali in a message to the nation, on Saturday.

Guyana’s two international airports have been closed to incoming commercial, international flights since midnight on March 18, after Guyana recorded its first COVID-19 case on March 11.
The airports were initially scheduled to close for a two-week period; however, as COVID-19 cases in the country increased, the closures continued to be extended.
But, growing demand for travel and pressing economic constraints, created by this disease and the necessary containment measures, have pushed the country to take decisive action, which, according to international reports is not unprecedented, amidst the global pandemic.

CNN had reported that destinations like Dubai, the Maldives, Croatia, Bali, Thailand and Jamaica have already opened their doors to foreign visitors again.
Jamaica, Guyana’s regional partner, has opened its borders even though the country recorded over 7,000 cases of COVID-19, with134 deaths.
Guyana, with 3,469 cases (1,048 active cases) and 104 deaths, will be looking to contain local spread and simultaneously restrict imported cases, with strict control measures.
“Both airports are prepared and ready to operate in a manner which would ensure the safety of all persons who work there and those who pass through,” said President Ali.
The President said it is left to the private sector and the Ministry of Health to ensure that no one enters Guyana without being subjected to the highest standard of testing.
Just Sunday, this publication reported that local facilities are equipped to handle any eventualities and protocols are in place to restrict the spread of COVID-19.

STRINGENT SYSTEMS
Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony had said he is confident that there are stringent systems and protocols in place to minimise the possibility of cases entering Guyana.
“Preparation is good… we have thought out the system so nobody is going to come to Guyana without a negative PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) test… so that’s the first thing that people need to understand.

“Not because the airport is open you can jump on a plane and come here. No, before you can even get on the flight you are required to have a PCR test at the point of origin. That test would have to be sent to us here in Guyana for us to validate it, and once we are satisfied then we allow the airline to put you on the flight,” said the Health Minister.
If the PCR test was done within 72 hours of arrival, persons would be allowed to go to their destination in Guyana, but once it goes over that time, travellers will have to undergo a second PCR test at the airport.

“Once you complete that test at the airport, you will have to wait for your results before we allow you to proceed… so in that way it is going to be very difficult for somebody who is infectious to get past the system that we have set up,” said a confident Dr. Anthony.

When asked what would happen to other passengers if someone from the flight tests positive here, the minister said authorities will work according to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines which stipulate that the persons sitting in front, at the side(s) and behind the infected person(s) would have to be tested.
Additionally, there are physical markings and equipment at the airports, which will promote social distancing and sanitising.
“I am satisfied on the advice of my ministers and director general of the civil aviation, that both our airports are fully prepared and ready to operate in a manner which will ensure the safety of all who work there and pass through them.

“Like the rest of the world we have entered into a new means of international travel…we have taken our time in order to do it professionally and right,” said President Ali.
Guyana and the rest of the world remain under the threat of COVID-19 pandemic, and while persons need to adopt to the “new way of life,” Dr. Ali assured that his government is doing everything within its means and with assistance of the international community to bring it under control.
“In the meantime, we must be able to keep our economy functioning and growing…we must be able to put our country back to work,” said the President.

NO FLIGHT TODAY
Reopening the international airports is a step in this direction, and while the facilities are “opened for business,” Director-General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field said no passenger flight is expected today.
Eastern Airlines, which has been conducting repatriation flights over the past few months, is expected to make a routine trip from Miami to Guyana on Tuesday, but even this airline will have to adhere to the new guidelines.

“This (the reopening of the airports) has given the indication to the airlines to start setting up their schedules so that they can return to Guyana…we are in receipt of applications for scheduled flights back into CJIA…those applications, which include regularity and frequency of travel, are now under review,” said Field.
While he did not name any of the airlines, it was reported recently that American Airlines, Copa Airlines and Caribbean Airlines had all signalled their intention to recommence operations.
It was reported, in August, that the Government of Guyana brought home over 2,000 Guyanese, including students, who were left stranded overseas as a 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. But, with the airport reopening, regular flights are anticipated.

With no approved cure or special treatment for COVID-19, authorities are depending heavily on preventative measures to stop the spread of this disease.
The emergency measures were made pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2)(b) of the Direction by the President, given under the Public Health Ordinance, Cap. 145, and published in the Gazette, Legal Supplement –B, March 16, 2020.

According to health authorities, the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (No. 8) will expire on October 31, 2020, unless earlier terminated, extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Health, after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions.