TRAVELLING on public transportation increases a person’s risk of getting and spreading COVID-19 as it brings people in close contact with others, often for prolonged periods and exposing them to frequently touched surfaces. As such, Region Three Coordinator for the COVID-19 Task Force, Halim Khan, along with police ranks and Region Three Vice-Chairman, Omesh Satyanand, recently held a sensitisation campaign at the Tuschen Market, East Bank Essequibo. The coordinator of the task force said information fliers were shared and many vendors and residents offered their opinions and gave feedback. One of the major issues highlighted, he said, was the lack of facemask use and overload in public transportation. “Enforcement will be placed in Region Three to ensure that the curve is brought down and officials will ensure that there is compliance by one and all,” Khan said. He encouraged all the vendors, commuters, and providers of transportation to ‘mask up’ at all times for their own safety as well as for the wellbeing of others. “People must wear masks that completely cover both the mouth and nose while shopping, travelling or just heading out in general. We must not take anything for granted,” the COVID-19 task force coordinator said.

As the fight against COVID-19 continues, an additional 76 persons have recovered after being infected, while 10 persons have tested positive for the virus, according to the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 dashboard for March 30 2021.
With 76 persons being medically cleared within the past 48 hours, the total number of persons, who have recovered, moves to 8,998.
Meanwhile, the 10 new cases were recorded from a total of 452 tests conducted; the country has now recorded a total of 10,192 confirmed cases since the first COVID-19 case was reported in March 2020. Six of the latest confirmed cases were recorded in Region Four; two new cases were recorded in Region Three; and Regions Six and Seven recorded one new case each. Six of the newly confirmed cases were females and the remaining four were males. There are currently 981 active cases.
All persons are required to wear face masks when leaving their homes. Physical distancing and adequate sanitisation are also important. The current curfew is 22:30 hours to 04:00 hours. Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call the COVID-19 hotline numbers: 231-1166; 226-7480; or 180/181 for assistance.