…tells Palm Court it is not being targeted
The Ministry of Health (MOH) has denied the accusations of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) that the National COVID-19 Task Force Secretariat (NCTFS) is “biased and discriminatory” in its warning issued to the Palm Court Restaurant and Bar for failure to adhere to established COVID-19 guidelines.
The Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer-led PSC has taken offence with the “final warning” issued to the entertainment establishment and had called for a retraction of the threats made to suspend or revoke the business’ license should they fail to comply.
However, the MOH, on Monday, responded in a press statement highlighting that Palm Court is among 20 other businesses issued final warnings.
“The NCTFS has thus far sent first letters of warning to a total of 42 businesses regarding breaches of COVID-19 Guidelines. Among those 42, a total of 20 of them have been issued with final warning letters for continued breaches,” the Health Ministry informed the public.
It also denied the accusations leveled by the PSC that there was an intentional leak of the warning letter sent to Palm Court as a biased attack on the establishment.
The PSC had stated: “The Task Force must be aware, as it is public knowledge, that hundreds of businesses operate in a similar manner to that of Palm Court. Hence, this action would appear to be biased and discriminatory and the letter should be withdrawn forthwith…the Private Sector Commission is extremely disappointed that the COVID Task Force chose to discredit the oldest and most internationally-recognised restaurant in Guyana (1950), the Palm Court by issuing a final warning letter of closure and leaking the said letter to the media even before the alleged defaulter was notified.”
However, the MOH said in response: “The Ministry and the NCTFS do not disclose any warning letters to the media and have certainly not done so as regards the ones issued to Palm Court Restaurant and Bar…Mr. Boyer appears to claim that the PSC has responded to the NCTFS, but as of the time of this statement, such correspondence has not yet been received by the Ministry or the Task Force Secretariat. The PSC plays a vital role as part of the Task Force and the Ministry believes that the matter concerning the Palm Court Restaurant and Bar could be resolved mutually and collaboratively as done by other businesses that were written to.”
The emphasis placed on the vital role of the PSC in the NCTFS comes as the PSC had also threatened to withdraw its support from the NCTFS if the warning letter was not withdrawn.
The MOH emphasized the important role that the private sector plays in the fight against COVID-19 and urged Boyer to ensure that the PSC remains and plays its part for a collective benefit.
