RECENTLY, there have been reports of businesses and individuals flouting the national curfew and regulations in place to protect citizens against the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus.

Some businesses have been disregarding the government’s COVID-19 policy by letting unvaccinated individuals dine at restaurants and ‘sport’ in clubs/bars without proof of a recent PCR test or vaccination. Sometimes these businesses go past curfew hours and shut their premises to escape being detected by the lawmen who are tasked with enforcing the curfew.

Some reports suggest that others have entered into clandestine pacts with wayward cops to ‘watch their backs’ and alert them when the Army Bus is patrolling or is about to swoop down on them. For these business operators, the business must continue as the dollar from all appearances, in their view, is much better than maintaining the curfew or their health.

And of course, there is the group of vaccinated and unvaccinated persons who have to walk, run or drive to reach home to escape the Army Bus or policemen who display a no-nonsense approach to enforcing the curfew. Again, the risk of contracting the virus in these parties and secret places is treated dismissively.

These reports are troubling, in light of the fact that more than 800 persons have died from COVID-19 and this seems to be not enough reason for businesses and individuals to stop breaking the curfew and breaching the safety rules.

It is astonishing that coupled with the more than 800 deaths and over 31,638 confirmed cases of the virus, these statistics seems to be not enough to sink fear into some individuals and businesses of the importance of conforming to the curfew and COVID-19 guidelines.

It boggles the mind as to why are businesses allowing their patrons to dictate to them when they know they are at risk of being seriously reprimanded?

Is it so hard to abide by the policy of presenting proof or test results for COVID when Guyanese reach the door of a public building?

There is a view that it is time for the government to seriously consider harsher penalties in the form of fines and sentencing for breaching the curfew and safety regulations for businesses and individuals. It is sad that as a means to deter persons from breaching the curfew, the name, picture, and details of those guilty are now being published.

One could only hope that the public shaming helps in ensuring greater compliance with the COVID-19 curfew hours. It cannot be overemphasised that reckless action has been the chief cause of loss of life to the COVID-19 virus.
It is great to see the police and the COVID-19 Task Force ramping up their efforts to complement the tireless work of the executive to stem the virus.

They should not hesitate to shut down or suspend businesses that are posing a national threat to the health and security of the nation through their irresponsible action.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali is on record as stating that Guyana will do all that is necessary to protect the lives of citizens as it battles the COVID-19 pandemic.

Business operators, do not make the President think that he is fighting an enemy within us; close your businesses and send away delinquent customers. Do not put a few dollars in front of the nation’s health.