Handwashing station installed at Stabroek Market Square

─Rotary Club of Georgetown and partners join the fight against COVID 19

─aimed at promoting regular handwashing

─similar initiatives to be implemented across Guyana

DPI, Guyana, Sunday, March 22, 2020

The Rotary Club of Georgetown Central has partnered with the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and installed a public handwashing station at the Stabroek Market Square on Sunday.

President of the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central, Andrew Boyle noted that the initiative was implemented to increase awareness of the importance of regular handwashing to reduce the transmission of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID 19).

Andrew Boyle, President of the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central (right) and another member putting the finishing touches on handwashing stations.

A member of the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central demonstrating how to use the handwashing station.

Andrew Boyle, President of the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central.

Jeffrey Walcott, Community Services’ Director of the Georgetown Rotary Club.

A member of the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central distributing bottles of sanitizing liquids to market vendors.

A citizen utilizing the hand washing station.

“We have come together to help lower the curve. What we are trying to do is to encourage individuals; whether they are customers or vendors to wash their hands because it helps to lower the spread of Coronavirus,” Boyle told DPI.

Community Services’ Director of the Georgetown Rotary Club, Jeffrey Walcott explained that Stabroek Market was chosen because “it’s a convenient point for hundreds if not, thousands of persons daily. There are people operating businesses, as well as commuters who are passing through the environment.”

Walcott told DPI that the organisation with the help of other stakeholders, intends to install similar handwashing stations across Guyana, with markets will be targetted first.

“Together with our partner GWI, we hope to roll out this initiative across the country. Primarily starting with the market areas. First in Georgetown and then moving further along the East Coast and East Bank.”

Systems are already in place for the refilling of sanitising detergents when those currently installed run low.  The handwashing station provides 24 hours service and is located in close to the Police Outpost.

Club members also distributed bottles of hand sanitizers to vendors and passersby while encouraging them to practice healthy hygiene.

Among the stakeholders highlighted for their contribution towards the installation of the handwashing station were, Chung’s Global, Fix it Electrical and General Contracting, City Printery, MDE Solutions, Tidy Up and Banks DIH Limited.

Persons interested in collaborating with the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central in the fight to prevent the spread of COVID-19, are encouraged to contact Jeffery Walcott on telephone number 592-618-5000.