NCTF approves return of approx. 300 Guyanese

—must satisfy strict guidelines

 DPI, Guyana, Friday, May 22, 2020

 Under the controlled re-entry policy, the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) has permitted the return of approximately 300 Guyanese nationals who are stranded overseas.

In a Friday press release, the NCTF said the approval for re-entry is based on the following criteria:

• Only applicable to Guyanese nationals, resident in Guyana who are stranded overseas and who registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as at Thursday, May 21st, 2020 (this approval is not applicable, at this time, to Guyanese nationals who are resident in other countries).
• Guyanese nationals in possession of a valid Guyanese passport (the Immigration Department of Guyana will also accept any passenger whose Guyanese passport expired within six months before arrival).
• All requirements of the Ministry of Public Health and other relevant ministries and agencies being fulfilled.
• Results of COVID-19 tests (PCR with results in English language) being provided at least 48 hours PRIOR TO ARRIVAL.
• The applicants or their employers covering all costs for their return.
• Entry is permitted by air only.

While conveying its empathy for Guyanese stranded overseas at this time, the NCTF maintained that “no person who tests positive for COVID-19 will be permitted entry into Guyana and that ALL arriving passengers must undergo the PCR tests and submit the results (which must be in English) at least 48 hours prior to their arrival in Guyana.”

The approval for return pertains to citizens in Trinidad and Tobago and several states in the USA, inclusive of Florida, New Jersey and New York. Requests from Guyanese in other countries are also covered under the NCTF decision.

Persons who meet the criteria outlined are asked to contact with their nearest Guyanese diplomatic mission and complete the necessary paperwork and submit the relevant documents and information.

 

It was also noted that Guyana’s airspace remains closed. The flight applications for each arriving flight of returning Guyanese nationals are required to be submitted, by the airline or operator, to the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority for approval.

Friday’s NCTF decision follows the recent approval for the return of 103 Guyanese in many Caribbean countries. Those persons are subjected to similar guidelines as previously stated.

At midnight on March 18, Government imposed a lockdown of the country’s two main airports to international flights to prevent imported coronavirus cases. The NCTF has noted it will continue discussions on the phased reopening of the airports.