Become familiar with the COVID regulations – Region 5 Deputy Commander
—drivers, conductors, passengers must follow protocols to prevent spread
—Persons will be charged for breaching COVID orders
DPI, Guyana, Friday, August 21, 2020
Region Five is clamping down on persons who do not adhere to the COVID-19 health protocols. This comes in the wake of the confirmation of the region’s first COVID case.
During a Regional task Force meeting held on Wednesday last, Regional Deputy Commander of Region Five, Superintendent Yonette Stephens, called on residents to adhere to all COVID-19 measures, stating that failure to do so will result in consequences.
Supt. Stephens said thus far, the Police Force has engaged with civilians and relevant stakeholders to outline the guidelines in the Extraordinary Gazette Order.
“We have been working along with the other stakeholders […] We did some information-sharing with persons and business within the area to let them know of the Gazetted Order and that we are enforcing,” she relayed.
The Superintendent appealed to residents and business owners to become “au fait with the guidelines” because “We are continuing our enforcement, persons will be arrested and prosecuted.”
She reminded that there must be no gatherings at beaches and seawalls and persons travelling must follow the protocols. “Vehicles travelling the roadways must have the required number of passengers that they should be carrying, to ensure they prevent the COVID-19 spread.”
Drivers, conductors of public vehicles and passengers must at all time wear their face masks.
“If you stop to pick up a passenger ensure that that passenger is properly sanitised and is wearing a face mask before entering your vehicle so you do not put yourself and other passengers at risk. “If we use those guidelines and we operate carefully then we will have a safe region,” Supt. Stephens stated.
Regional Chairman, Vickchand Ramphal also reminded the residents of Region Five to continue practising good hand hygiene, social distancing and keep adhering to all other guidelines.
He said that this is important in containing further spread, as the Region is focused on preventing further transmission.
A COVID-19 hotline has been set up and persons exhibiting any symptoms can call 624-2000 or 624-9000.