Weeks of protesting by residents in the Brazilian town of Bonfim have ended as the Guyana Government has agreed to more movement of traders between the two countries but with COVID-19 rules in place.
As of yesterday vaccinated persons were allowed to travel from Bonfim and other communities to Lethem. Brazilians who work and trade in Lethem first blocked the Bonfim highway several weeks ago preventing the delivery of essentials to the border town such as cooking gas in protest at their own lack of access to Guyana.
Under the new order which was petitioned for by Region Nine officials, persons will be allowed to travel across the Takutu River bridge on Thursdays and Fridays. The officials include Region Nine Chairman Bryan Allicock, Regional Executive Officer Karl Singh and Lethem Mayor John Macedo.
On Thursdays, the border will be opened from 7 am to 5 pm for the transportation of large and small- scale goods, while on Fridays at specific times individuals will be allowed across the bridge. The opening hours will be from 8 am to 1pm and 6 pm, for a period of 15 minutes for residents of Bonfim and Guyana.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips yesterday told Stabroek News that after he was written to by the regional leaders requesting a phased reopening of the border, he met with them. During that meeting the measures now implemented were considered.
He stated that persons will be required to present their vaccination cards at the port of entry or present a negative PCR COVID-19 test result before being able to enter the country.
Stabroek News learnt that a health team will be placed at the port of entry/check point to conduct medical screening for everyone who crosses.
Under the October COVID-19 orders in the Official Gazette, it was stated that the Minister of Health may determine “any other day and time” when this crossing may be opened.
However, despite the Takutu point of entry being open for persons to travel, the new order states there shall be no flights from Brazil.
Daniel Gajie, President of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry yesterday told this newspaper that this is the best news they have received in the past 18 months.
He noted that Lethem’s economy has suffered significantly due to the closure of the border as many persons from Bonfim, Manaus and other neighbouring communities would travel to engage in trade and commerce. He stated that many businesses in the township have been struggling to survive as commercial activities have been limited.
In the letter by the regional officials to Phillips earlier this week, the impacts of the pandemic on the region were highlighted.
“…there is still an urgent need for goods and services that is necessary which are not accessible from Georgetown that will keep our local economy, businesses and services afloat,” the regional leaders said.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic the border between Guyana and Brazil was closed on May 19, 2020 but both governments had granted the concession of one day for essential goods to travel into Lethem from Brazil. That day is Thursday.
Gajie had stressed that transportation costs from Georgetown to Lethem make it infeasible to bring goods from that distance so in an effort to lower the cost of living most essentials for the Rupununi area are sourced from Brazil.
