Minister Croal takes ‘Operation COVI-CURB to Region One

-as Govt ramps up efforts to fight the disease

Minister of Housing and Water, Hon. Collin Croal held several COVID-19 awareness exercises in Barima-Waini (Region One) at the weekend as the Government expanded Operation COVI-CURB.

The Minister’s visit comes just as the Region was preparing to ease out of a seven-day lockdown of several villages.  Arakaka, Sebai Arukamai and St. Anselm villages were ordered shutdown on Sunday October 4, by the Regional Administration, to help curb the rising cases of COVID-19.

By Sunday October 11, the region reported that St. Anselm and Arukamai were coming out of lockdown. However, there were still increases in positive cases.

Over the weekend, Minister Croal, Regional Chairman, Mr. Brentnol Ashley and a team distributed masks and pamphlets about the dangers of COVID-19, even as they encouraged residents to adhere to the precautionary measures.

The first sensitisation session was held in Baramita, then at the Port Kaituma Market where vendors and shoppers were reminded of their individual responsibility in curbing transmission. 

“We also implored of them to ensure every one of their customers, before they enter their premises, must wear their mask,” Minister Croal said.

At Matthews Ridge, the Regional Chairman said the week-long lockdown enabled healthcare professionals to screen villagers for the disease.  

“It is serious and it is deadly and it has no face. So, wear a mask and try to avoid coming to talk in each other’s face,” Mr. Ashley said.

An awareness session was also held at Bumbury, where the Regional Chairman again urged residents to “flatten [the] curve and make our community COVID-free.”

He also urged residents to co-operate with healthcare workers to help rid the community of the deadly disease.

The campaign was also held in Four Miles, Imbotero and Tassawini.

A similar outreach was held at La Penitence, Leonora, Skeldon, Kitty, Plaisance and Stabroek markets over the weekend. These activities are all part of national efforts to clamp down on the rate of transmission.

On Monday, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony said a collective societal approach is needed to stem the disease.  To this end, the COVID-19 Secretariat is inviting volunteers to assist in advancing the campaign.  Interested persons will be trained and will take the knowledge back to their neighbourhoods to foster greater community responsibility.

Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips launched Operation COVI-CURB on Thursday, October 1 to reinforce the COVID-19 precautionary measures countrywide. Since then, personnel from the Joint Services, together with representatives from the Guyana National Road Safety Council and other volunteers have fanned out across the country to distribute masks and to educate the public about the dangers of the disease.