Public appeal for adherence to COVID-19 guidelines repeated

DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud today again sounded the clarion call for citizens to take seriously the emergency orders implemented for their health and safety and to adhere to them.

The curfew and other emergency measures have been extended to June 3. However, some persons continue to flout the curfew and disregard measures such as social distancing, hand washing and sanitising and wearing a face mask.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, you would have noticed that Georgetown continues to be the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic. it is very clear that you are not adhering to the guidelines, congregating way past the curfew hours as if it were a prolonged holiday,” Dr. Persaud stated.

“Have you stopped to think of the unnecessary risk that you are exposing your children, your wife/ significant other, your mother or grandmother to? Yes, you are exposing your entire family,” he emphasised.

The CMO also drew attention to the fact that more men than women are testing positive for the virus and called on them to play their part in flattening the curve.

As one male to another, I am pleading with you to do the practicable thing, which is to stay home and to be off the roadways. Do not think for one moment that you are invincible and that the virus cannot affect you because your area has not been identified as a COVID-19 hotspot.”

He again appealed to persons to come forward if they would have been in contact with a positive case or are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19.

“If you arrive at our facility at an advanced stage of the disease, you are placing yourself at a disadvantage, and there may be very little that we can do to save your life,” Dr. Persaud warned.

The CMO underscored the importance of providing incorrect information since this makes contact tracing extremely challenging for.

“We understand the fear of being isolated or hospitalised, the stigma and discrimination, but we cannot contain this disease unless we receive accurate information,” Dr.  Persaud stated.