NEOC holds focused-meeting for COVID-19 Response with Private Sector Partners

The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) today held its second focused-meeting to coordinate plans for the national response to the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Today’s meeting engaged private sector partners and was concentrated on brainstorming areas of possible public-private partnerships and collaboration in coordination of the national response.

During the virtual meeting, private sector partners shared details of several interventions they are currently executing or have planned to be rolled out soon to aid in the fight against COVID-19. Some of which include the donation of medical supplies to the Ministry of Public Health, mobilisation of sanitation supplies to aid cleaning of markets and public spaces, and the donation of care packages to vulnerable persons and those whose jobs may have been affected.

Director General of the CDC, Lt. Col. Kester Craig commended the private sector for their work thus far, and urged continued partnership to address any silos and priority needs to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19.

Representatives of the private sector entities expressed appreciation for the forum as a mechanism to express concerns on the possible impact of COVID-19 on the national economy; they also expressed a willingness to provide technical support to the working group aimed at addressing financial and economic recovery, as they not only have expertise in this area, but have also commenced some amount of research and documentation.

Participants of the meeting included representatives of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Ministry of Public Health, Private Sector Commission, Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association Ltd.; it was agreed that subsequent meetings of this focus group would be held to ensure coordinated implementation and timely sharing of information.