…THAG urges COVID careless businesses to think about how their actions affect others
By Lisa Hamilton
Tourism businesses in Guyana have only recently begun to “breathe again” with the relaxation of the COVID-19 guidelines to allow for their operation in a safe manner. However, almost weekly, several businesses in general, their owners and supporters, are being brought before the Court for flouting the established measures.
The Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), which represents a diverse group of hotels, tour operators, resorts, airline services and more, is urging businesses in Guyana not to let their passive, dangerous stance make ‘Peter pay for Paul’. “We are firmly commending the Task Force for enforcing these measures because we have always advocated for operations in a safe way,” President of THAG, Mitra Ramkumar said in an interview with the Village Voice News. “One bad apple spoils the whole basket and I don’t want all of us to go back to the place where we were wondering what we’re going to do and then having to let go of staff. Anybody can say ‘we’re all in this together’ but what that means is that if anyone breaks the guidelines and breaks the protocols, we’re all in this cycle, so they’re actually putting you [the general public] at risk.”
IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT YOU
Ramkumar said that while most tourism operators are located on the outskirts of Georgetown and in far-out, open locations which allows them to pose a lower risk, there are some tourism operators in the more densely populated city that are exposed to greater risks. The THAG President makes no compromise in his firm support of the current measures and believes that any business — including tourism-related businesses — that is found in breach should face consequences.
“We are saying that if they breach those measures then they must feel the penalty of it. For example, bars should only be open at 40 percent and they should be closed at 9:30 but, at many bars, that’s not happening. We would like to appeal to bars to ensure they adhere to it and for the Task Force to enforce those measures,” he said.
BEGINNING TO BREATHE AGAIN
From December 1, 2020, the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) allowed for hotels and other accommodation, including interior lodges, resorts and tour companies, to be now listed as essential services which are allowed to operate 24 hours each day. Before then, representing 47 companies and 77 small and medium-sized enterprises, THAG had expressed that their exclusion was suffocating the tourism industry. At the time, it was over eight months since the industry was shut down causing staff to be furloughed or laid off and causing revenues to dry up.
Just over four months now since being added as essential services, Ramkumar said that resuscitation is very slowly taking place. “It’s not anything it used to be pre-COVID but businesses have a chance to breathe and to stay alive and so we appreciate that opportunity to continue our businesses so that we can live past this difficult period that affects everyone in the world,” he said.
IT MEANS A LOT TO MANY
The THAG President noted that some persons in the tourism industry previously furloughed are back on the job and, while the number of international tourists visiting is far from its peak, those visiting Guyana for business are helping to keep hotels, lodges and inns afloat at an average 50 percent capacity. “Most places, what they’re doing is first rehiring the ones that were laid off who have already benefited from lots of training and have institutional knowledge. So, most of those key people were rehired but it hasn’t touched everyone in terms of being able to rehire 100 percent of staff,” Ramkumar explained.
It is for this reason, that THAG emphasises the need for all businesses in Guyana — tourism and non-tourism — to adhere to the measures in place. The alternative could see a rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths which could cause the authorities to consider removing some operation freedoms to businesses. To further protect its workers and those who visit, THAG had begun advocating for those working in the industry to be prioritised when it comes to COVID-19 vaccination. However, not long after the interview with the Village Voice News, it was announced that persons 18 years and older can be vaccinated if this is their desire. Ramkumar said: “While it was a difficult year behind us and it’s still difficult now, we have been able to stay alive and because we’ve lobbied to be able to get opening in a safe way, I believe that is what has kept us alive. We are grateful to the Government and the Task Force for that.”
