Twelve Brazilian nationals were intercepted by members of the Guyana Police Force in Region Ten on Thursday and authorities were up to yesterday awaiting the results of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) tests that were administered to them. The driver of the bus, who is a Guyanese, have also been tested.
According to Region Ten Commander Hugh Winter, the bus was intercepted while en route to Linden early Thursday morning. There were twelve passengers in the bus, comprising ten men and two women.
At the time the bus was intercepted, the police were unaware of the nationality of the foreigners but checks of their passports found that they were all Brazilians, Winter said.
Additionally, given the fact that they were in a Lethem to Georgetown bus, it is believed that they had travelled from Lethem.
He noted that they along with the bus driver were escorted to the Wismar Hospital in Linden, where they were tested for the disease. He noted that the situation is now in the hands of the Regional COVID-19 Task Force.
However, according to Winter, once the Brazilians are cleared, they will be handed over to immigration authorities. He did not say if they were in Guyana illegally.
Regarding the driver of the bus, Henry said, once he is cleared, they will seek advice on whether he will be charged.
Meanwhile, Stabroek News was told that foreigners being smuggled into the region is a major issue for authorities in Region Ten and due to the COVID-19 guidelines, they are being dropped off at various communities close to Linden and are entering the town via taxis.
As a result, the police force has tightened security in these areas.
To date, Region Ten has recorded 11 cases of COVID-19, inclusive of one death. All the patients who were infected with the disease have recovered, hence there are no known active cases of COVID-19 within the region.
