Despite not being included on the list of communities that need to adhere special measures included in the updated COVID-19 emergency measures, Aranka and Arangoy Landings are still under lockdown.
National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) Secretariat Operations Director Mark Archer told this newspaper that although the areas were not included in the gazetted measures, the residents are still mandated to adhere to the special measures detailed in the gazette.
The measures include a 6 pm to 6 am curfew and the Joint Services have been tasked with coordinating, mobilising and securing quarantine and isolation facilities, materials and goods and services at those sites, and manning screening and testing checkpoints as well as providing escort for mobile teams.
Aranka and Arangoy landings are among several areas in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region (Region Seven) that are under lockdown.
In the updated gazette, which was released on Thursday, Arau, Eteringbang, Makapa, Kurushi and Oko were added to the list of communities now under lockdown. Like Aranka and Arangoy, they are mining areas.
According to the Regional Health Officer (RHO) Dr Edward Sagala Aranka, Arangoy, Devil’s Hole, Mango Landing, Bartica and Arau village have all recorded cases of the novel coronavirus. However, Eteringbang, Makapa, Kurushi and Oko are areas of interest. He revealed that a health team will be travelling to these areas to conduct screening and testing.
Aranka and Arangoy remain the two major COVID-19 hotspots within the region.
Region Seven has recorded at least 82 known cases of the novel coronavirus disease, inclusive of two deaths.
