The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on Monday wrote de facto Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Police Commissioner Leslie James about gatherings on the perimeters of GECOM in Kingston from the perspectives of public order and the COVID-19 risk.
These gatherings by supporters of APNU+AFC are in breach of COVID-19 guidelines and have become disorderly on several occasions.
In its letter to Nagamootoo, who is also the Chairman of the National Taskforce on COVID-19, the Chamber said it had been monitoring closely the public health and electoral situation in the country.
“In particular, we are concerned about the large gatherings which are assembling on Main Street, in the perimeters of the GECOM and the State House. Notably, a situation on July 13, 2020 saw persons gathered closely together in large groups and non-adherence to public health precautions, amongst many other actions which are dangerous to both public health and potentially threatening to the well-being of citizenry of Guyana”, the Chamber said.
It enquired about the measures which are being taken to handle these crowds which are now “becoming more consistent, as well as the plan by the National Taskforce on COVID-19 to ensure compliance with the COVID-19 emergency measures”.
The letter to James was similar in nature and mentioned concerns about security when a final declaration is made of the March 2nd general elections results. The letter to the Top Cop also adverted to an unruly gathering outside of State House.
“In addition, the GCCI is also concerned with (the possibility) of a destabilization in the security situation as the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) makes its final Declaration of the results of the March 2 Regional and General Elections”, the letter to James said.
It also referred to “a situation on July 13, 2020 (which) saw persons gathered closely together in large groups, one person lying in front of the Presidential convoy in an obstructive manner, non-adherence to public health precautions, amongst many other actions which are dangerous to both public health and potentially threatening to the well-being of (the) citizenry of Guyana”.
It also enquired from him what steps are being taken by the police force to deal with the situation.
