…Joint Services urged to heighten enforcement of COVID-19 measures
The National COVID-19 Task Force, chaired by Prime Minister, Brigadier Mark Phillips, has urged the Joint Services to heighten their enforcement of the COVID-19 Measures amid increasing numbers of Coronavirus cases and the blatant disregard of the measures instituted to suppress the spread of the deadly virus.
According to the gazetted COVID-19 Measures, which are currently in effect, there is a 10:00 pm to 4 am curfew and restrictions on social activities. Importantly, the guidelines restrict social gatherings and recreational activities including private parties, receptions, wakes or vigils, however, there have been reports about parties being held in various parts of the country, in particular the city.
It would appear, however, that it is business as usual in a country with more than 900 active cases of the disease and a death toll of 216. “Over the last three weeks we have seen increasing amounts of cases especially in Region Four and in Region Three,” Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony said on Monday. He said the situation is “worrying.”
As of Monday, approximately 51 persons were hospitalized in the West Demerara Regional Hospital and the Ocean View Hospital with 12 persons being enlisted in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Additional statistical reports coming out of the Health Ministry indicate that the country has 9,668 confirmed cases of the virus, of which 19 were recorded within the last 48 hours. Of the total number of cases, 4,947 involve males and the remaining 4,721 females. Region Four has recorded the highest number of cases with 4,554 cases being detected followed by Region One with 1,027 and Region Three with 855 cases. Region Seven has also recorded 834 cases and Region 10, 692. To date, Regions Region Nine, Eight, Two and Five have recorded the lowest number of cases with 238, 246, 248, and 274 respectively.
There are currently 63 persons in institutional isolation while 856 persons are in home isolation. Some 8,522 persons have recovered from the virus, however, every day more and more cases are being recorded.
Citing the Kingston Seawall as an example, the Health Minister said persons are venturing out into the public without taking the necessary precautions. Around the country persons can be seen without masks and in clusters, though the measures stipulate that there be social and physical distancing. Persons utilizing public transportation can also be seen flouting the regulations.
“I think people have dropped their guard a little bit and they think COVID is over. COVID is not over. We have COVID that is circulating and we have to take those precautions,” the Health Minister emphasized.
He said it was against that background that the Task Force urged the Joint Services to increase the level of enforcement of the COVID-19 Measures. The owner of Sleep-Inn Bar and Casino, and three managers from ‘The Strip’ at the Giftland Mall are among those who, in recent times, have been charged for breaching the COVID-19 measures.
“I think you will see more people being charged for not wearing masks, and those businesses that are not complying with the guidelines, they will see stiffer penalties coming their way. [But] all of this could be avoided if people do the right thing, we are all in this together,” the Health Minister said.
Emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement of the measures, Minister Anthony made it known that Guyana with just over 100,000 of the COVID-19 vaccines, is nowhere close to achieving full immunization, and as such, it is important for persons to adhere to the guidelines. “At this time our vaccination programme is not at the level where we can minimize the amount of severe infections. We have to get to higher numbers before we can see those severe infections drop,” he explained.
In late February, the Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon, during a meeting with the acting Commissioner of Police, Nigel Hoppie, had expressed the need for greater enforcement of the COVID-19 measures. Harmon had said that it could not have been business as usual, as he pointed to the large number of persons who have died from the virus since it was first detected in Guyana on March 11, 2020.
