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– Health Minister says, urges compliance
BARS found violating the COVID–19 emergency measures, even after being warned twice, will be shut down, according to Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony.
According to paragraph (2) section (1) of the emergency measures which take effect from today, bars and rum shops are to remain close; this measure has been in place for a number of months, as measures were employed to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Even though bars were not supposed to be opened, in November, the Guyana Chronicle found numerous bars in Georgetown, and on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), that were operational- some even after the 22:30h curfew.
In an invited comment on Monday, Dr. Anthony reiterated the measures imposed relating to bars and rum shops. He contended that bars should not be operational because one would have to remove one’s mask in order to drink, and most bars are based indoors where the potential for spread is much greater.
“What we have to do is to be more stringent with our enforcement and we have spoken to the Guyana Police Force about assisting us with heightened enforcement,” Dr. Anthony said.
While he acknowledged that these restrictions may be hurting businesses, he emphasised that the country is currently engulfed in a public health crisis.
60+ BUSINESSES IN CONTRAVENTION
Dr. Anthony also revealed that the National COVID-19 task force (NCTF) has now written to more than 60 businesses, pertaining to a breach of these guidelines. A week ago, after it was publicised that popular entertainment spot, Palm Court, was given a final warning for non-compliance, the NCTF said that 42 businesses breached the guidelines.
For those businesses (that is, bars and entertainment spots in particular) found acting in contravention to these measures, Dr. Anthony said that their owners or managers are invited to the task force’s office where the body attempts to appeal to their sense of morality first.
Thereafter, if they continue to violate the measures, they are issued a second and final warning. At this point, if there is still non-compliance, more stringent actions are taken.
“If they get two letters from us, (after that) we are closing them down,” the Health Minister said pointedly.
No businesses have been closed as yet, according to the Minister. He, however, urged them to comply so that the task force is not forced to shut them down.
As per the new COVID–19 measures, which will remain in effect from December 1-31, the curfew remains from 22:30h to 4:00h. Even though the month of December is usually one of many social gatherings, many restrictions have not been lifted.
These measures state that no person shall host, attend, or visit: cinemas- except drive-in cinemas; private parties; banquets, balls or receptions; bars or rum shops; a public or hotel swimming pool or waterpark; wake or vigil; club or discotheques; a meeting of a fraternal society, private or social club or civic association or organisation; or any social activity.
In September, the Guyana Chronicle reported that more than 2,000 persons were arrested for violating similar regulations aimed at curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus. Some persons were arrested while others were charged.
During mid-November, over a two-day period, the Guyana Police Force reportedly arrested a total of 116 persons after they were found in breach of the COVID-19 measures. These individuals were mainly from Region Five and Six.
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