– PM urges Guyanese as Christmas season settles in
By Naomi Parris
GUYANESE are known to be extravagant during the Christmas season. During this time of the year most persons can be seen hustling and bustling through the streets of Georgetown to start or finish their Christmas shopping; some may be planning social events and parties. However, this year things will have to be adjusted to take into consideration the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Reminding persons to be responsible and mindful of the coronavirus, Prime Minister, Brigadier Mark Phillips, has called on Guyanese to adhere to all COVID-19 protocols while going about their traditional Christmas activities and agendas.
“Notwithstanding the Christmas activities, we know Guyanese, we like to shop; we like to socialise in terms of parties and cooking and inviting people over for meals and so,” he said adding: “What is important that during this time we must recognise that, yes, it is Christmas but we also have the COVID-19 pandemic that we have to deal with and this year Christmas is one that will be observed and celebrated in the presence of COVID-19.”
The PM noted that COVI-curb is still operational and the Joint Services, the government and the private sector are all working to curb the spread of the deadly virus.
“COVID-19 is a pandemic that is affecting every country in the world, from my stand point we are doing a good job at working with all the stakeholders to curb the spread in Guyana.”
However, he stated that the authorities alone cannot slow the spread of the virus and the efforts of all Guyanese will need to be pooled together to see a decline in the number of cases being recorded daily.
“Is on the people, our people to continue to observe the measures to wear your mask, if you are going to leave your home, wear your mask, sanitise and practice social distancing.”
The PM urged persons to avoid COVID-19 hotspots and large crowds.
“There are certain hotspots around the country and there are some community spread in some areas but not withstanding that we continue to work as a body under operation COVI-Curb to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Guyana,” the PM said.
He added: “We must try as much as possible to observe the measures and to curtail many of our activities, especially those activities that involve consuming alcohol and being at crowded events.”
He stressed that crowds or crowded activities are considered to be ‘super spreader’ activities, meaning that it is the perfect environment in which the virus spreads.
