The Guyana Police Force has arrested over 40 persons in Region Four for breaching the national 6pm to 6am curfew implemented by the Public Health Ministry in an attempt to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
“Over 40 were arrested and charged, they are currently being placed before the court. So far five persons have been placed before the court where they were made to pay fines and other punishment that the court has awarded,” Regional Deputy Commander Senior Super-intendent Phillip Azore was quoted as saying yesterday in a Department of Public Information (DPI) report.
The report stated that the slow rate of penalisation is due to the COVID-19 restrictions in place at the courts.
Presently the courts are open three days per week, allowing for a mere five such cases to be processed in that time.
The Commander stated citizens are warned before they are arrested and in fact arrests are only made if that warning is ignored.
While the force has been engaging in nightly patrols as the means of enforcing the curfew, it
has also implemented strategically placed roadblocks to assist.
“The reason for the roadblocks is to stop those persons driving on the road [after the curfew] and ascertain if there is any legitimate reason for them being on the road. If there is no valid reason, we ask that they proceed home immediately. If persons continue to breach the curfew they will be prosecuted,” he underscored.
He further noted that the Traffic Taskforce works during the day to ensure minibuses and taxis follow the 50 per cent passenger rate. If they are found to have breached the measures, they are warned before an arrest is made.
“It is not a case where you commit an offence for the first time and we charge you, you are warned but if you continue then there is strict enforcement and we have you placed before the court,” Azore stated.
A notice gazetted by the Health Minister states that no person shall host, attend or visit a private party; a recreational or competitive sporting event; a wedding (other than the bride, the bridegroom, official witnesses and the marriage officer); a banquet, ball or reception; a bar or rum shop; the seawall; a pool, creek or river; a wake or vigil; a gym; a beauty salon or spa; a club or discotheque; a meeting of a fraternal society, private or social club or civic association or organisation; or any other social activity. Additionally, it is stipulated that no water sports or recreational activities shall be allowed on any river, creek and internal waters and that no more than ten mourners, one officiant and the funeral director and the necessary staff shall attend a funeral.
The notice further states that except as otherwise provided, every person shall remain in the confines of his or her home and its yard space.
