Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National COVID-19 Task Force Joseph Harmon has announced that while an extension of the current emergency measures in place to stem the spread of the virus is being considered, a complete lockdown of the country is not.
“I want to make this very clear—that the National Corona Task Force has not considered a national lockdown. What we have before us is a consideration for the extension of the current measures beyond the third of June and this has nothing to do with a complete lockdown,” Harmon said yesterday at the start of an update he gave as Election Agent and Campaign Manager for the incumbent APNU+AFC coalition.
Harmon acknowledged recent rumours of a complete lockdown in Guyana from this week, which he said was responsible for panic buying and unecessary crowds in the market places and other shopping areas.
Harmon also called on the general public to observe the guidelines for social distancing, washing of hands, wearing of masks and the definition of essential services as is contained in the gazetted order covering the measures. “I trust that we pay attention to this and once we do that I am confident that we can see this true together,” he added.
Although he was appointed just over a month ago, he is yet to host an official press conference to address the decisions made by the Task Force’s to stem the spread of COVID-19. One of his functions is disseminating accurate information with regard to COVID-19 to the public.
It has been almost three months since Guyana recorded its first case of the novel coronavirus disease and although the authorities have implemented a partial lockdown and the curfew, many continue to act in defiance of the restrictions even as the number of COVID-19 cases continue to rise. Up to yesterday, the Health Ministry reported 150 positive cases. There have been 12 deaths, with the latest – that of Palms resident Daymon John – occurring yesterday morning.
