As of yesterday six persons were being processed for court in Berbice after they breached the partial lockdown order that was recently issued.
Police Commander of Region Six, Calvin Brutus said four of the persons arrested yesterday were bar/rumshop owners, while a resident hosting a birthday party and the DJ were arrested in Canefield, East Canje, Berbice on Saturday evening.
Three of the bar owners are from East Canje, Berbice, while the fourth is from Springlands, Upper Corentyne. The commander said it is expected that by today charges would be formulated to be filed against the persons.
On Friday evening, the government announced a one-month countrywide lockdown with a 6pm to 6am curfew and a restriction on services except for those deemed essential as part of measures to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives worldwide and four in Guyana.
According to Brutus, one of the issues noticed is that some persons who operate rumshops and food shops at one location have been closing the bars but if persons purchase takeaway food items, the alcohol service is offered to them “and then most persons don’t take it home to drink.”
He called on citizens who do not offer essential services, especially bar owners, to adhere to the order.
The commander told Stabroek News that while some citizens have been complying with the order, others are failing to do so. He said that some amount of leniency would be shown to essential entities, including persons who offer essential services and their staff members. The order allows essential services to remain open.
Brutus said that meetings were held at police stations throughout the region in order to educate the ranks on the order. He said that while it has been made public on social media platforms, his ranks have been patrolling with PA systems educating residents on the order, in an effort to keep those residents who do not have access to social media informed.
Brutus stressed that ranks will be patrolling the region in order to put a stop to persons gathering especially during the curfew. He pointed out that residents would often gather at bus sheds or neighbouring streets to play dominoes.
Meanwhile, in terms of the Port Mourant Market, the commander noted that while the national orders make provision for essential services, such as markets, to operate, the management of that market has since closed it.
When asked what the outcome would be if persons turn out to vend, the commander said the police would then have to call on management to regulate the vending and to ensure that stallholders adhere to the necessary precautions such as social distancing.
When contacted, Chairman of the Port Mourant Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Mahesh Doolara said that it is unclear when the market will reopen since it was a decision made by the council. However, he observed that as of yesterday morning, workers were sanitising the market. When questioned as to whether the national order which details provisions for markets to be open would be used to reopen the market since a large number of residents would purchase their essential items at that location, Doolara could not give an answer.
Further, when questioned what actions would be taken against stallholders who show up to vend, Doolara said they would call on the police to act.
He then said that vendors who were educated on the NDC’s orders gave good feedback to the council.
However, contrary to Doolara’s statement, a majority of the vendors at the Port Mourant Market were upset on Saturday as they were forced to vend outside of the market instead of inside although most are stallholders. A significant majority of the vendors indicated to Stabroek News that operating at the market is their main source of income.
