CDC activates the NEOC for COVID-19 response
—hosts meeting with International and Non-Governmental Partners.
In light of the increasing number of confirmed cases of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Guyana, and the worrying number of projected cases, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has fully activated its National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) with effect from March 31, 2020. The activation of the NEOC is aimed at ensuring the highest level of collaboration among all stakeholders is attained to further prevent the spread, enhance preparation and strengthen our local response to the outbreak.
Today, a focused meeting was held with partners from international and non-governmental organisations to streamline the planning of mitigative and preventative actions against the short and long terms impacts of the virus on all sectors of the country.
The meeting was conducted utilising a virtual platform and saw representation from the CDC, Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Office of the Prime Minister, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Children’s Fund, United Nations Population Fund, International Organisation for Migration, Delegation of the European Union in Guyana, National Coordinating Coalition, Food for the Poor, Rotary Guyana and the Caribbean Development Bank.
Participants of the meeting agreed that such a forum is essential in the national fight against COVID-19 to ensure that resources are maximised and duplication of efforts is avoided. Based on the meeting’s deliberations, it was agreed that a National Requirements List would be finalised and shared with all partners. The list would continuously be updated to ensure all stakeholders remain apprised of the most urgent needs and work collectively to address these in a timely manner.
The CDC will continue to host regular meetings with its NEOC partners to ensure there is systematic coordination of the responses to COVID-19 while actively promoting resilient stakeholder engagement at all levels. On April 1, 2020, the CDC will host a virtual meeting with Private Sector partners. Further, the CDC will continue to function on the National COVID-19 Task Force and support the Ministry of Public Health with the coordination of the Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC), logistics, resource and quarantine facilities management.