COVID-19 Curfew now from 9 pm to 5 am
— face-masks MUST be worn in public
— cut off time for drive-thru, delivery now 8 pm
DPI, Guyana, Saturday, August 15, 2020
According to a new Official Gazette, the Government of Guyana has modified the COVID-19 protocols, after making assessments and finding the current measures to be fragmented and incapable of meeting the safety and economic needs of Guyanese.
The new measures which have been implemented for a specific time (August 16-31, 2020), will allow for more assessments and consultations in the future as the PPP/C Administration works to continually revise its health protocols.
Among the new changes to the measures is the enforcement of a new curfew from 9 pm – 5 am (21:00hrs to 05:00hrs) in all regions; except Regions Seven, Eight and Nine – these regions will have a curfew from 6 pm to 6 am (18:00hrs to 06:00hrs). The current curfew, which ends today, runs from 8 pm to 6 am (20:00hrs to 06:00hrs).
Both curfew measures will be effective from August 16 to 31, 2020.
Additionally, food services and restaurants shall now be permitted to open only for delivery, drive-thru, curb-side pick-up and take-away services from 6 am to 8 pm (06:00hrs to 20:00hrs). Previously, the cut-off time was midnight.
Indoor dining will continue to be prohibited, while outdoor dining will be permitted between 6 am to 6 pm (06:00hrs to 18:00hrs), while practising strict protocols, such as sanitising, social-distancing, and a number of other measures and guidelines set out by the Ministry of Health.
Social activities, such as private parties, going to the cinema, competitive sports, spas, bars and rum shops and recreational activities on creeks, rivers, and beaches will remain prohibited, as well as, wakes and vigils.
However, religious gatherings are still allowed to be opened, with 25% attendance, and 45 minutes between multiple services for cleaning.
Meanwhile, Public Service employees shall work on rotations, unless otherwise instructed by their Ministers or Heads of Agencies. Public Sector employees are also to work on rotation determined by their employers.
The country’s two international airports will continue to remain closed to international flights except for outgoing flights, cargo flights, medical evacuation flights, technical stops for fuel only and special authorised flights.
Private medical laboratories testing persons for COVID-19 will be required to submit the name and address of anyone who has tested positive to the Director of the Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC).
These individuals will be expected to comply with the directives required by HEOC and provide all necessary pertinent information.
Importantly, the wearing of face masks in public is now mandatory.