Dear Editor,
Let me begin by commending the Government of Guyana and the Minister of Health for their efforts thus far in managing the COVID-19 situation in Guyana. The Government has made available a variety of COVID vaccines available to all and has managed to operationalize the Infectious Disease Hospital in a short space of time to assist in the fight against this pandemic. Further, I would also like to commend the Government for the COVID Cash Grant. In these trying times, it’s refreshing to know you have a Government that cares.
With that said, I move on the National COVID Taskforce, the body who was given the power by the President to craft the policies and restrictions for us to follow during the time of this pandemic and to plead my case to them. I noticed that Private Sector Commission (PSC) and several businessmen and women, particularly, those who operate bars were the ones who petitioned the Taskforce to allow for the re-opening of businesses. Further, these bars owners even petitioned for the curfew to be moved from 6:00 pm to 10:30 pm. I was in support of this since these businesspeople made a compelling argument that they would follow all protocols and even made some suggestions of their own. Also, the loss of income was starting to impact communities and families. However, this needs to be reassessed, now.
Over the weekend, bars across George-town, East Coast, East Bank and in Region 3, were packed to maximum capa-city, no one wearing masks, some places not even requiring persons to produce proof of vaccination, all in breach of the COVID-19 Guidelines, which were gazetted for the month of September. What is very important to note is that these bar owners/operators and promoters/party organizers go unpunished and, in my view, directly contribute to the spread of COVID, since most of them close their bars at 9:30 PM. A few quick examples, the Altitude Bar located in Sandy Babb Street was overflowing with persons, not a soul with a mask on and they got away with it because they closed at 9:30. Similarly, an event was hosted at a ground on Carifesta Avenue, same situation. Another example, an event was hosted at Woolford Avenue and reports are that at least 40% of the attendees have now contracted COVID-19. Further, popular APNU supporter, now bar owner, James Bond, held a party at his bar and again, no requirement for proof of vaccination, no one wear face masks, etc. I can go on and on, but I believe the point is made.
Since June or July 2021, cases and number of deaths continues to rise daily. As I was writing this letter the number of deaths were 762, while the number of active cases were over 4,000 from about one-third of the population tested. This should be of concern for any persons, yet everyone in Guyana is so relaxed as if we have beaten COVID. Every day in the Newspapers, the Minister of Health is pleading with persons to take the vaccine and to observe the COVID-19 Guide-lines. As a result, I believe that the COVID Taskforce should re-implement the closure of bars and all parties and such activities until we have achieved desirable vaccination numbers and it is safe. In the current state, we are just putting an entire nation at risk by allowing these bars and clubs to be open without any monitoring to ensure they are following the protocols outlined.
Sincerely,
Rawle Nichols
