While noting Guyana’s current incapacity to detect new COVID-19 strains, Leader of the Opposition Joseph Harmon yesterday urged that stronger measures be put in place to curb possible transmission among the populace.
Harmon, during his first presser for the year, told reporters that the Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony’s disclosure that Guyana does not have capabilities of performing genetic sequencing for the virus, which is how the new COVID-19 variants are being detected around the world, needs to be a key focus.
Against this background, he said the ministry should now look to increase measures to “clamp” down on the country’s COVID-19 situation as its cases continue to steadily increase. “Even if we can’t detect it, put strong measures that are than stronger than the ones you have now,” he recommended.
Harmon lamented that while the Health Minister is saying one thing, the other ministers are further opening up their respective sectors. He noted that the Ministry of Education has granted permission to have students gather at schools while businesses are given authority to have persons dine indoors. Schools were physically opened for senior grades to attend timetabled sessions. Guyana’s COVID-19 Emergency Measures were on Wednesday amended to allow for limited indoor dining at eating establishments. Prior to the amended measures tourism organizations were given permission to return to business once they meet the requirement set out by the Guyana Tourism Authority.
Harmon also said that the police are not enforcing the COVID-19 measures as strongly as they should be and in the event that it is enforced, persons close to the authorities are being given special treatment.
Meanwhile, Harmon also commented on the COVID-19 relief cash distribution and charged that the handling of the situation has been a disaster from the start. He said that “the manner in which the PPP regime has gone about distributing this grant leaves much to be desired” and noted that while the distribution of the moneys is the Ministry of Human Service’s responsibility, the Ministry of Local Government has been in charge of the distribution. He explained that since the distribution commenced, it has been selective. “So you have a distribution system that is anchored in the PPP. And distributing in large measures to supporters and activists of the PPP and they are choosing to deliver to persons who are perceived to be supporters in the first instance,” Harmon said as he called for an audit of the expenditure.
