Effective from Monday, July 19, all members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) who have not received both doses of their COVID-19 vaccine will be required to produce a negative test result every two weeks.
Stabroek News understands that the implementation of the measure was publicised in an order which was issued on Wednesday.
The new measure was imposed even though vaccination for COVID-19 is not mandatory here.
Minister of Health Frank Anthony had previously stated that the government’s position on COVID-19 vaccination remains that it would not make vaccination against the virus mandatory but it will continue to encourage persons to get vaccinated. Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess, through the GDF Public Affairs Department, yesterday told Stabroek News that the Force has a responsibility to ensure that its members are “fit and healthy” to defend the country at all times.
It is unknown what percentage of the army is currently fully vaccinated and what actions, if any, those who fail to comply with the new measure will face.
Stabroek News directed these among other questions to GDF Public Affairs Department, which said it would forward them to Bess. It could not provide a time frame in which a response could be expected.
