…this includes private buildings to which the public have access
… guidance on vaccination exemption and reopening of schools left off new update
To enter a public building, meaning a building to which the public has lawful access, persons in Guyana will now need to be vaccinated or enter by appointment with a negative PCR test. This is according to the newly updated COVID-19 Emergency Measures which took effect September 4, 2021.
The vaccination requirement for “public building” also applies to privately-owned buildings including all institutions of learning. This move by the Government has increased the number of buildings that unvaccinated and non-holders of negative PCR tests do not have access to.
Previously, in the July 29, 2021, Measures the Government only placed the restriction on persons visiting a Ministry or Government Agency.
However, the new instruction for public buildings remains similar that where a member of the public wishes to enter a public building that person much present a vaccination card or that person may only access the building by appointment with a negative PCR test.
For unvaccinated employees of public buildings, they must present a negative PCR test within 7 days of the day they wish to enter the building.
Interestingly, the sections of the previous Measure which spoke to vaccination exemptions and the reopening of schools have not been included in the September 4th Emergency Measures. The previous Emergency Measures have been revoked.
The stricter enforcement comes as many Guyanese remain unvaccinated and against forced vaccination. In some parts of the country, protests have been planned for September 6, 2021, by a range of groups affected by the measures including teachers, health workers and public transport operators.
Over 318,000 persons have been vaccinated with their first dose in Guyana while over 166,000 are fully vaccinated.
