…says Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony
Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony has stated that soon Guyana will be implementing “explicit travel instructions” in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, an announcement that came not long after the country implemented a mandatory ‘vaccination passport’ for non-nationals coming through Trinidad and Tobago.
During Monday’s COVID-19 update, Dr. Anthony said that the Government has been having discussions about changing the entry regulations guiding travel to Guyana or in-transit flights through the country. At the level of CARICOM, he said that most countries now require negative PCR tests for entry and proof of vaccination.
“We’re moving to honour that decision that CARICOM has instituted and you will see some changes as we go forward and that will be for all travellers coming to Guyana. So, I think more explicit travel instructions would be forthcoming in the next few days,” Dr. Anthony said.
According to changes to Guyana’s Civil Aviation Regulations (Amendment), 2021 gazetted on Friday, July 23, 2021, all adult passengers who are not Guyanese nationals travelling to Guyana from Trinidad and Tobago are now required to be fully COVID-19 vaccinated in order to enter the country.
“…passengers, except for children, travelling to Guyana from Trinidad and Tobago who are not nationals of Guyana are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to be allowed entry into the country Guyana,” the regulation stated. The document was signed by Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill.
Discussions about increasing the vaccination campaign push are being had at the highest levels in Guyana. Recently, Advisor to the Minister of Health in Guyana, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said that there should be consequences for persons who refuse to be COVID-19 vaccinated.
The Private Sector Commission (PSC) has since expressed agreement noting its support for businesses making it mandatory for employees to be vaccinated or show proof of a negative COVID-19 test.
Guyana has already vaccinated over 50.7 percent of its population with the first dose or approximately 246,000. Over 130,000 have had their second dose or 26.8 percent of the population. The Government said that it is working stringently towards achieving herd immunity for the benefit of citizens.
