Dear Editor,
There has been a sharp and alarming spike in the number of positive cases of the COVID-19 virus in Guyana over the last few weeks. The total number of confirmed cases within Guyana is now at 9,121 with 207 deaths, the most recent death of which was on Saturday March 13. Within the last week, there have been in excess of 340 positive cases of this deadly virus. There were 35 new cases on March 7; 7 new cases on March 8; 33 new cases on March 9; 81 new cases on March 10; 65 new cases on March 11; 76 new cases on March 12 and 52 new cases on March 13. This is a frightening and concerning trend. There is a total lack of precautionary measures being taken by the populace in Guyana. Persons continue to roam the streets unmasked and there is a failure to observe the basic social distancing rules. The Government of Guyana has failed to enforce mandatory mask wearing, has reopened restaurants, has reopened the tourism sector and all bars remain open. Is it any wonder that the cases of this virus have skyrocketed? The Gazetted COVID-19 guidelines are not effective to prevent or curtail the spread of this virus. They must be supplemented with effective education and enforcement campaigns.
There are three issues for consideration: curfew: first, the need for a reasonable curfew, particularly as it applies to bars, restaurants, nightclubs and venues where risks of transmission are high; second, the cooperation of business owners in respecting the curfew and enforcement of the curfew where this is lacking; and third, the compliance of the population in observing the curfew and behaving responsibly as we navigate this crisis. The curfew currently in place by the Government of Guyana takes effect from the hour of 10:30 pm to 4 am. As I have written on previous occasions, this is in effect no curfew at all. It allows for gatherings at all of the bars and nightclubs which are allowed to remain open for many hours in the evening. This virus does not remain in abeyance during that time of gathering and congregation of persons drinking in bars without masks until the bewitching hour of 10:30 p.m. This laughable and shameful “curfew” ought to be rescinded and a curfew intended to protect the citizens of Guyana should be imposed from a practical time of 6pm to 6am. This is of course dependent on whether the government is genuinely concerned about the welfare of the Guyanese people.
There has been much publicity in the press within the last few days with regard to owners of several nightclubs and bars within the city being arrested for breaching the “national curfew” and remaining open after 10:30 p.m. The reports in the press state that the operation was conducted between the hours of 10 p.m. and 3:30 a.m. There were over 100 persons all unmasked at one of the nightspots at Cummings and Charlotte Street, Georgetown. We should condemn in the strongest terms possible the selfish motivations and actions of the business proprietors who have literally traded health for profit. Their actions have had negative consequences for our collective health as a nation. It is also of utmost importance that the Guyanese people must appreciate that there can be no reckless behaviour at this time such as being in crowded bars and the owners of such bars should not permit this. A viral video on social media depicted scores of mask-less persons exiting a nightclub during a raid during the hours of curfew. This was a visual illustration of the failures of the government to effectively carry out a public education campaign on the risks of Covid transmission, particularly for the target population of young persons with high propensities to seek social engagement. It also highlighted the irresponsible and foolhardy behavior of young persons in our society. Our prisons would be stretched beyond their already compromised capacities if these persons in violation of curfew were placed there. However, heavy fines and publication of their failure to comply with measures could be an effective response and deterrent.
One also wonders whether the Guyana Tourism Authority and its Director, Carla James, have been successful in their avowed monitoring and inspection of the 40 restaurants for which approval has been granted to reopen in order to ensure adherence to the COVID-19 guidelines. In view of the escalation in the number of cases of the virus, all bars and restaurants should remain closed and an effective curfew imposed until there can be a return to normalcy. The COVID Task-Force and the Police Force should continue to be supported in their efforts to ensure compliance. I urge the citizens of Guyana to observe all precautions by wearing masks, socially distancing, avoiding gatherings and staying at home if they can. It is up to us the people to take these measures to protect ourselves. The light is at the end of the tunnel with the advent of the vaccines so let us remain safe in the interim.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Isaacs.
