…says Order from Minister of Public Works
“Effective from Sunday, August 8, 2021, all foreign travelers must be vaccinated with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and must also produce a negative PCR test prior to entry into Guyana,” an Order from Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill has stated, according to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
The Order was shared in a public notice on Wednesday on CJIA’s social media page. It stated that, according to Minister Edghill, the Government remains committed to achieving herd immunity in Guyana and will therefore work assiduously to protect the health and wellbeing of all Guyanese.
On July 26, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony had stated that Guyana would be implementing “explicit travel instructions” soon in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. His announcement came not long after the country implemented a mandatory ‘vaccination passport’ for non-nationals coming through Trinidad and Tobago.
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 on July 26.
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 percent of its population with the first dose and over 26.8 percent with the second. The Government said that it is working stringently towards achieving herd immunity for the benefit of citizens.
