COVID-19 Task Force to implement strict measures in mining areas.
─ ‘Miners need to know why strict measures are necessary’- Dr. Leston Payne, Deputy Director, HEOC
DPI, Guyana, Friday, July 10, 2020
As screening and testing are underway in the mining district of Aranka/ Arangoy, up the Cuyuni River in Region Seven (7), other efforts are being placed in a massive COVID-19 Education campaign for miners and person frequenting the district.
Deputy Director of the Health Emergency Operation Center (HEOC), Dr. Leston Payne, described the multi-sectoral approach as a necessary one.
Deputy Director of the Health Emergency Operation Center (HEOC), Dr. Leston Payne
One of the pre-fab units that will house the screening and testing units in Aranka
“As you are aware, we have the Public Health team, the Corps of Wardens and the police. So, the approach is a multi-sectoral one where we will be focusing on educating the populace because they need to know what we are dealing with.”
Dr. Payne noted that strict measure will be implemented. “Because it is in their best interest. It is a mining area and if we are going to be implementing these measures it will have some adverse economic effect on them,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Aranka resident, Wilbur Wade, told the DPI that he welcomed and appreciated the initiative “because a lot of people in this’ backdam’ not taking it seriously,” he stated.
He noted that despite the COVID-19 reports reaching the area, “You are seeing people without masks even though we hear in the news how many people are testing positive.” Wade remarked.
On the matter of ensuring the guidelines are enforced, Dr. Payne cited the presence of the Corps of Wardens and a special team of police officers.
The National COVID-19 Task Force team will remain in the area until the situation is under control.