…bar owners of Strip arrested, for court tomorrow
The Guyana Police and the owner of the Giftland Mall are in a war of words over the enforcement of the Covid-19 curfew. And the owners of three bars that operate at the Giftland-owned Strip have been arrested and will likely face the courts on Tuesday.
The police said in a statement on Monday that it had become aware of a statement made by Roy Beepat, Chairman of the Giftland Group, on the enforcement of the Covid 19 Regulations by the police in which he indicated that the ” Giftland Mall and its concessions are continuously singled out for selective enforcement and police harassment “.
The GPF denied the allegations, stating that neither the Giftland Mall nor any other business entity is being targeted for selective enforcement. It also denied that police have been harassing Giftland, but rather ranks have been enforcing the Covid 19 Regulations. This, the police said is being conducted in a professional and impartial manner by ranks throughout the country; one that has nothing at all to do with racial prejudice, corruption or political favoritism as expressed by Roy Beepat.
In relation to business entities, the COVID-19 Restrictions allow for such places to be opened for business until 21:30 hrs daily. Consequently, police enforcement, in keeping with this directive, commences after 21:30 hrs. “The GPF has never sought to force closure of the Giftland Mall as early as 1900h and 2000h as stated in the Giftland Mall chairman’s statement. This is the same for other business places.”
According to the police in carrying out their COVID-19 Regulations duties on Saturday March 06, 2021, ranks of the GPF visited the Giftland Mall at about 22:10 hrs where it was observed that certain bars in the night spot area were still open for business and playing music. “The Force is not aware of any unethical demands being made by any rank and which was refused, however three owners of bars that were still open were arrested and the bars closed down. They have been released on bail and are due for court on Tuesday next.” “It is apt to note that owners of bars in the night spot area had been warned by the police during the previous night of Friday March 05, 2021, after they were found still being opened after the closing time of 21:30 hrs. The GPF remains committed in the execution of its mandate of ensuring safety and security in the country in a professional, ethical and impartial manner. This is no different in dealing with the enforcement of the COVID-19 Regulations,” the statement said. It added, “It should be noted that the GPF has enforced these regulations on several other establishments across the capital city and the country. We continue to appeal to citizens to adhere to the Covid-19 guidelines and to report errant establishments to our 911 hotline.”
Sleep-inn wide awake
Meanwhile, in a statement responding to the police Giftland said despite closing music at the Mall Restaurant concessions at 9:00 PM on both Saturday and Sunday 6th & 7th of March so that all orders could be completed and business closed at the regulated 9.30 PM, the police proceeded to arrest three persons from each restaurant at the Giftland Mall.
“On Sunday evening, March 7th, 2021, the police visited and verified our closure at 9 PM but at 11 PM on the said evening, Sleep Inn Hotel and Baroombar were examples of establishments openly operating in contradiction of the curfew. These examples highlight that the commander is either unaware of what is transpiring, or of what is actually happening or exercising unlawful discretions as we suggested in earlier statements.” “At Giftland, we not only have a policy to adhere to the current national regulations, but we also require that our various tenant establishments are also closed at 9 PM and vacated by 9:30 PM. Yet, the selective enforcement and police harassment continues. Over the past six months we have pleaded these issues and were promised a fair conclusion.
These pleas have clearly fallen on deaf ears. We believe that an intervention by the Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn is absolutely necessary to ensure that the public’s and private sector interests are protected and aligned with the government’s policies,” Giftland said in its statement.
