— Region Six Health Services director tells religious leaders

REGION Six Health Services Director, Jevaughn Stephen, on Friday, told Christian leaders that COVID-19 is not a gimmick and prayers and social distancing are key to keeping the virus away.

He offered his views during a joint sensitisation programme hosted by the municipality in collaboration with the Regional Health Services.

The sessions, held at the New Amsterdam Town Hall, was intended to have in attendance the ministers of religion within the township but just leaders, representing over 5,000 of the varying Christian denominations attended.

Nevertheless, they were reminded of the global effect of the coronavirus even as they were informed of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) / World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines to tackle the virus.

The religious leaders were advised to adapt to shorten their service, reduce large gathering and encourage their respective congregation to stay at home and leave their homes only when necessary.

“Help us to keep New Amsterdam safe and by extension Region Six, East Berbice– Corentyne,” Stephen posited.

Regional Environmental Health Officer, Marvin Dindyal, also addressed the gathering which included Reverend, Mayor Winifred Haywood; Town Clerk, Sharon Alexander and other municipal administrators.

“We in preventative medicine must take measures to break the links and chains of disease from person to persons. As religious leaders, you have a role to play to ensure that the message of the fact of the disease and its mode of transmission is heard by persons you interact and dwell with and to practise social distancing,” he said.

They were also advised on hand-washing techniques, having hand-washing guidelines posted in proximity of sinks and the need for bins for tissue disposal.

The municipality of New Amsterdam is leading the way, regionally in the fight against the coronavirus/ COVID-19.

Since Guyana recorded its first (imported) case, the council has held several sensitisation sessions with vendors and business owners, sanitised the market and business complexes, shortened opening hours for the market and set a curfew for businesses in the township.