The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) says that during February 8-10, 2021, it conducted training on COVID-19-related hygiene and sanitation for 90 persons in Region 9 communities .
GTA, in a press release, said that the participants were also guided on general facts of the COVID-19 disease, signs and symptoms, myths and facts as well as the best practices of health and sanitation using the GTA’s recommended hygiene and sanitation protocol.
Ninety representatives from eight Indigenous communities in Regions 9 participated in the training. The communities and number of representatives were Fairview (30), Bina Hill Institute (10), Aranaputa (15), Annai (13), Wowetta (15), St. Ignatius (7), Kumu (17) and Moco Moco (13). Participants were also trained on how to establish monitoring and contact tracing systems, improve their standards of operation and were provided with hygiene and sanitation support packages (sanitising products, COVID-19 signage, masks, etc.,) The sessions sought to raise awareness and continue providing education on the COVID-19 pandemic to communities tied to the tourism value chain in the North and Central Rupu-nuni areas, and to reinforce the safety measures established by the National COVID-19 Task Force.
One participant, Rita Leo, an acting Toshao, commended the training, she said “I learnt a lot from it – how to wear and dispose of a mask, how to wash your hands. I am glad for this opportunity to advise my family and other colleagues.” Another participant, Lezlene Daniels, a tour guide from Iwokrama River Lodge, also express-ed her satisfaction, “The most important part [for me] is how to use a mask and hand gloves correctly. As I go back to my community, I will share my knowledge with the little ones.”
“I am very happy for [the GTA] being here to educate the young people. Most of them I invited here this morning so that they can capture as much as they can and pass it on to the smaller ones,” remark-ed another participant, Odelia Francis, Senior Councillor of Kumu Village.
Director of the GTA, Carla James stated that “it is amazing to see the positive feedback received directly from the villages and it is our hope that our continuous efforts to educate and support our tourism-focused communities will further contribute to our journey towards complete recovery. Ade-quate hygiene and sanitation is critical during this period, and we want to ensure that our sector is provided with the necessary training and support to successfully reopen.”
GTA’s Tourism Marketing Officer, Shellon Nicholas, and Product Development Facilita-tion Officer, Clyde Edwards, conducted the sessions.
