Guyana airports to remain closed, curfew still in effect

The National COVID-19 Task Force announces that Phase 2 of the six phase reopening process will commence on Friday, July 3 and noted that the airports will remain closed and the 6pm-6am curfew is still in effect.
“As previously announced, Phase 1 of the re-opening process remains in effect until Thursday July 2. For Phase 2, all allowances and measures in Phase 1 will be maintained and, additionally, the manufacturing sector, public sector construction and medical schools will be permitted to operate during the non-curfew hours,” a statement by the NCTF said.

Further, the release said that the curfew shall remain in effect in all administrative regions for the duration of Phase 2. The gazetting of the order will be done shortly. “For the avoidance of doubt, Guyana’s airports remain closed to international passenger flights, save and except for flights which have been granted special permission, mainly for the repatriation of Guyanese who are stranded overseas,” the release added.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said after consultation with the Ministry of Public Health it has adjusted its Four Phase Reopening Plan for international airports. This decision was made after careful assessment of the current COVID-19 situation in Guyana and other international ports where flights to Guyana originates. In recent days, Guyana saw steep increases in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Director General, Lt. Col. Egbert Field noted that the GCAA and the National COVID-19 Task Force consider the health of Guyanese and the nation as top priority, thus, it was imperative to adjust the Four Phase Reopening Plan. Phase one which would have ended on June 30, 2020 is now extended to July 31, 2020 and Phase two will now commence on August 1, 2020. The proposed dates in the GCAA Four Phase Reopening Plan will continue to be dictated by the Covid-19 situation.

Under Phase one, the following flights will continue to be permitted: limited repatriation flights; outgoing flights; cargo flights; medivac flights; technical stops, and special authorised flights.

“In light of the foregoing, no airline has been granted approval for the conduct of scheduled commercial operation. The GCAA has drafted Regulations and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to guide aviation stakeholders on the measures which are expected to aid in mitigation of the spread of Covid-19 and the full resumption of aviation-related activities. The GCAA in conjunction with the Ministry of Public Health and the National Covid-19 Task Force will continue to monitor the Covid-19 situation.”