Some unvaccinated parents and teachers in Region Two were locked out from schools on Monday as a result of newly enforced requirements for access.
The security guards at the various locations were following instructions given to them by senior regional officials, who directed that they should not allow parents who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 in the compound of public buildings unless they produce a negative PCR test result.
During a drive in Region Two, this newspaper observed parents standing with their umbrellas in front of the public schools. At Queenstown Primary School, parents who went to register their children were also locked out. A group of over 15 parents were seen standing and when asked why they were outside some said because they had not been vaccinated.
Many of them were against vaccination. “Everybody body nah the same. Yuh nah see people who tek the vaccine dead too… so wha we will take vaccine fa? They want lock we children out ’cause them parents are unvaccinated. But guess what? We nah tek am” a disgruntled parent said.
Another parent of a Queenstown Primary student, who did not want to be named, said that she believed that everyone has a choice and if she does not want to take the vaccine it is her personal preference. She said her son should not suffer because of her.
At CV Nunes Primary in Anna Regina, 11 unvaccinated teachers were refused entry into the school. Unvaccinated parents were standing outside. Teachers refused to take the vaccine and did not have a PCR test to show either.
APNU+AFC Regional Democratic Council (RDC) member Mark McLean was standing with the unvaccinated teachers and parents. He described the entire “lockout” as nonsense and said that the teachers should be allowed to do their job.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of CV Nunes Primary Raseeda Harrinarine said that only vaccinated parents were allowed. She said that other parents were concerned that children of unvaccinated parents were allowed and so they came and collected their children. Many classrooms at CV Nunes Primary were left unattended and parents were asked to help supervise the children that were presented.
According to a senior officer attached to the Department of Education, the majority of teachers in Region Two are vaccinated and attended school.
