The National COVID-19 Task Force on Friday announced the immediate lifting of the national curfew.
The announcement came one day after President Irfaan Ali had indicated that his administration was exploring lifting the curfew, while citing its impact on business and the tourism sector in particular.
“It is an evolution dealing with the pandemic. We saw that there are many studies saying lockdowns just help by 0.001 per cent, and what is needed in this stage in dealing with the pandemic are the protocols; ensuring that all the agencies have the sanitation device, ensure we continue to educate people on the vaccination program-me, ensuring the guidelines and protocols are observed,” he said on Thursday at the launch of the Explore Guyana Tourist Guide.
“For sure we cannot continue with a prolonged curfew, and it is my hope and intentions that that curfew can be removed once the necessary steps are followed as early as tomorrow,” he added.
Less than two weeks earlier, the government had extended the midnight to 4 am curfew for the month of February.
The shift in position comes as Guyana prepares to host the International Energy Conference and Expo next week and to observe Mashramani in the following week.
In an advisory, the Task Force also announced that swimming pools are permitted to operate at 50% capacity, although swimmers are expected to be fully vaccinated.
Despite the relaxation of the measures, the Task Force urged all Guyanese to demonstrate “responsible behaviour.” It also extended best wishes for the Mashramani celebrations.
The announcement of the lifting of the curfew was welcomed by private sector bodies.
The Private Sector Commission (PSC) said it recognises the consistent reduction in COVID-19 cases over the past weeks and voiced its belief that Guyana is well on its way to achieving herd immunity.
“The PSC continues to urge businesses to adhere to the COVID-19 measures in place to safeguard against the virus and reminds that vaccination remains our top protection against all variants of COVID-19 and a timely booster dose maximizes protection against the virus,” it said in a brief statement.
Also welcoming the move was the Region Three Private Sector Inc., which suggested that the decision was linked to a decline in COVID-19 cases and an uptake in vaccinations against the virus.
In a statement, it expressed hope that the lifting of the curfew would “jump-start economic activity” and create more jobs, saying that it will be a huge relief to the hundreds of workers in the tourism and hospitality sector, which has borne the brunt of the national lockdown.
At the same time, the group urged all citizens to get vaccinated as it emphasised that it is time to shift focus from survival to co-existing with the disease.
“We are not yet out of the woods and we must therefore continue to observe the COVID-19 protocols and rules, such as wearing face masks.
“Vaccination remains the best defence against severe illness, hospitalisation, and death from Covid-19. All citizens who have not yet done so are encouraged to be vaccinated as soon as possible. This includes people who are eligible for booster shots,” it said.
The national curfew was instituted in April, 2020, under the former APNU+AFC administration in hopes of curbing after work socializing in order to prevent the spread of the virus. It was initially set at 6 pm to 6 am and had been reduced several times between its introduction and yesterday’s withdrawal. The Guyana police Force was responsible for enforcement of the curfew and had prosecuted several persons for breaching it, although it was nevertheless continually flouted.
