New Amsterdam Municipality announces sterner measures to tackle COVID-19

─ residents to be indoors by 7pm.

─ supermarkets urged to ensure social distancing is maintained

DPI, Guyana, Sunday, March 29, 2020

The New Amsterdam Mayor and Town Council (M&TC) has implemented sterner measures to reduce the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The municipality’s public relations department on Sunday afternoon advised that all corner-side bars, night clubs and beauty/hair parlours, barber shops, tattoo and piercing shops are to be closed immediately.

“Fish shops and hangout spots are to be closed completely,” the advisory stated.

A new 4:30pm curfew has now been implemented for supermarkets and grocery shops as opposed to 7pm deadline which was announced earlier this week. These proprietors are urged to monitor the number of customers seeking services at once.

Restaurants are only allowed to offer delivery services until 4pm and pharmacies are to be closed at 6pm instead of the previously announced time of 8pm.

The New Amsterdam Municipal Business Complex will be closed on Monday, March 31 for a sanitisation exercise. While one of the town’s busiest thoroughfare – along Pitt Street – will be closed immediately and the area will also undergo a sanitisation exercise on Tuesday, March 31.

The Council outlined that on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the municipal market will offer services up to noon and will be closed for the entire day on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Only persons selling essential products including meat and vegetables will be allowed to vend in the market.

All religious houses of worship are asked to be closed until further notice.

Residents are instructed to be indoors by 7pm. Failure to comply with the new guidelines will see the Guyana Police Force taking necessary action.

Her Worship Mayor, Winifred Haywood has advised residents to adhere to the health advisories and precautions.