The Citizenship Initiative (TCI), in a proposed National Covid-19 Mitigation Plan, is suggesting that from April 19th, the government reinstates the curfew from 6pm to 6am during Monday to Thursday, and from Friday to Sunday, a total lockdown of all non-essential activity countrywide.
It also suggests that the Joint Services establish strategic command checkpoints from which joint patrols are deployed to provide coverage along the high-density population areas of Regions 3, 4, 5, 6, and 10.
See other recommendations:
1. Establish and enforce a mandatory mask mandate for persons traveling daily, whether using public transportation or personal vehicles. Joint Services are to enforce this through inspections, and anyone violating this will be subject to a heavy fine and mandatory quarantine for 14 days (home or institutional).
2. The immediate closure of all bars, restaurants, clubs, betting/gaming houses, markets, barbershops, salons, malls, and other non-essential business entities from April 19th – May 2nd. Cancellation of all sporting competitions and events until follow-up Impact Assessment on the effectiveness of measures is conducted. Food markets, supermarkets, pharmacies, and hardware stores that sell cleaning supplies allow only takeaway services or delivery but are allowed to operate from 6AM – 6PM for pickup, and 6AM – 9PM for delivery. Supermarkets are limited to 50% capacity for shoppers at all times, with current social distancing, mask-wearing, and sanitizing mandates in full effect.
3. Immediate closure of the border with Brazil, and restrictions on all incoming and outgoing travel there, except for emergency or diplomatic reasons. All entries to Guyana from Brazil MUST submit a negative Covid test taken no more than 48 hours prior to travel and MUST submit to INSTITUTIONAL (not home) quarantine for 14 days. No exceptions will be made. Current restrictions in place for other international travel to remain in effect.
4. Public gatherings of more than 4 persons are to be prohibited, except where approved by the Covid task force for the purposes of construction work or other valid reasons. Public weddings, funerals, and other social events are not permitted. Anyone found in breach of this should be fined $50,000 and must undergo MANDATORY institutional quarantine for 14-days. The taskforce should set up strategic quarantine facilities countrywide (use of schools, places of worship etc.) that provide adequate social distancing scope. No exceptions.
5. Setup emergency notification protocols with mobile phone services providers (GTT & Digicel) so important updates, news, and guidelines can be communicated quickly countrywide via mass messaging from the Covid task force. Utilize other corporations such as DDL, Banks DIH, etc. to mobilize sanitation crews to thoroughly sanitize the high-density population zones daily. Use of the army reserves, police recruits, and other such personnel are recommended to provide adequate manpower.
6. Open up the National Covid Vaccination Campaign to ALL citizens and residents, setting up strategic vaccination centers throughout the high-density population areas. Conduct vaccine sensitization campaigns to educate the public and clear up misconceptions or fears about taking the Covid vaccine. Prioritize relaxing measures only in communities where widespread vaccination (at least the first dose) has taken place in at least 80% of the population. This should incentivize other communities to follow suit for an expedited return to ‘normalcy.
7. All schools, universities and educational institutions to remain closed. Online learning platforms should be the primary means for delivering education material. The Ministry of Education should be closely monitoring each jurisdiction and reporting real-time changes to the Covid task force.
8. From May 2nd, and fortnightly onward, a comprehensive Impact Assessment of the effectiveness of measures in place to be conducted to determine which areas need extra attention or adjustments. Only when there has been a notable reduction in infections for seven (7) consecutive days can restrictions start to be gradually eased. Data to be made public daily via social media, Covid taskforce website, and emergency push notifications mentioned in measure 6.
9. Closely monitor the regional situation, and liaise with Covid taskforces in neighboring Suriname, Brazil, and Venezuela (Suriname has already implemented extra measures after recognizing the threat of the faster-spreading variant emanating from Brazil) to share information, updates, and strategies. Together, this will provide an accurate snapshot of the regional situation and guide further measures. As the spread of the virus lessens, collaborative decisions to relax restrictions and a GRADUAL return to normalcy can be undertaken, with an end goal as the end of June (Q2) of 2021.
TCI noted that within the last14 days (27-Mar to 9-Apr), 951 new cases were recorded with 27 deaths at an average of 2 fatalities per day.
