Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony says that the National COVID-19 Task Force will be visiting ministries and government agencies to ensure that recently announced emergency protocols are being followed.
The new measures, announced last week, include the new requirement that unvaccinated persons make appointments in order to access services at ministries and other government agencies. Public transport operators are also mandated be vaccinated in order to ply their trade. Vaccinated persons are expected to present their vaccination cards and proof of identity.
During yesterday’s COVID-19 update, Anthony said that he is happy that many of the ministries and agencies have been putting systems in place which corresponds with the guidelines.
Many Ministries, Regional Democratic Councils and government agencies have already put up notices advising unvaccinated persons to make an appointment before their visits in addition to providing a negative PCR test taken 72 hours prior to visit.
Anthony noted that employees also have to adhere to the measures before saying that the Task Force will be randomly visiting these places to check if these guidelines are being followed. Entertainment services that are allowed to operate will also be monitored along with public transport operators, such as bus drivers and conductors. On the latter he noted that bus operators are one of the groups who spend every day on the road plying their trade. So they will be monitored regularly and if they are unable to provide proof of vaccination they will face the consequences. This, he says, also applies to speed boat operators.
According to Anthony, sine these measures were implemented, more people are “trying to get themselves in order” and the government is very pleased about this. On Thursday, he said, more than 3,500 persons were vaccinated in a single day.
He went on to say that the country has enough vaccines for the entire Guyanese adult population and is even expecting 50,000 AstraZeneca more vaccines from the COVAX facility next week. There is still a shortage of the Sputnik V second doses but Anthony stated that persons have choices of AstraZeneca and Sinopharm if they wish. He noted that the government is continuing to work to ensure that second doses of the Sputnik V become available as soon as possible.
In addition, he said, contrary to information circulating on social media, there has been no spoilage with the Sputnik V first doses as persons continue to get vaccinated with the vaccine.
Thus far, he said, 260,403 persons have received a first dose, accounting for 53.5% of the adult population, and 143,302 person have received both needed doses, accounting for 29.4% of adult population.
He added that there is no intention to vaccinate persons with a third dose of a vaccine as yet, while noting that many countries around the world are yet to administer a first dose to their population.
The minister reiterated that while the vaccines do not prevent persons from becoming infected, they can ensure that they do not suffer from a severe form of the virus. He also advised that persons continuing abiding by preventative measures, like mask wearing and social distancing. Up to yesterday, Guyana had officially recorded 22,843 cases to date, along with 554 deaths.
