– Task Force, Joint Services remain vigilant in enforcing guidelines

By Mesha Sealey

ONE of the most celebrated holidays in Guyana, Easter, carries the deep religious significance of the resurrection anniversary of Jesus Christ. The occasion is marked by many cherished traditions, the most significant and prominent of which is kite-flying.

Over the years, those ‘traditions’ have expanded to include ‘fetes’, parties and large group outings as a means of celebrating the holiday in a non-religious form.
Due to COVID-19 which has caused some 246 deaths and thousands of infections, Guyanese were forced to stay indoors in keeping with the guidelines of the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) for their safety the safety of their families and others.

On Monday, the Joint Services ensured the COVID-19 guidelines were enforced.
Easter Monday is a day most people opt for their favourite picnic spots. They meet up with friends to fly their kites on ball fields, play parks, seawalls and wide open spaces. The kites, which decorate the skies are often different in size, colour, shape and style.

On Easter Monday and the days leading up to it, kites are flown frequently to mark the approaching holiday. It is believed by some that the flying of kites is meant to symbolise the ascension of Jesus into heaven after his resurrection, but this has not been confirmed.

This year, those plans were quickly quashed following an advisory issued by the NCTF Secretariat, discouraging large gatherings and Easter activities in public spaces such as parks, creeks, lakes, beaches and resorts.

These measures were part of efforts geared at facilitating “safe celebrations” during the Easter weekend.
All across the seawalls along the East Coast of Demerara, members of the Guyana Police Force, stood by barricades and patrolled the coast to ensure compliance with the COVID-19 Easter guidelines.

A total of 140 persons were reportedly arrested over the Easter weekend after they were found in various bars and entertainment spots later than the 22:30 hours (10:30 PM) national curfew that has been instituted to help curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.