Returning Guyanese appreciative of government’s assistance.    

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, July 2, 2020

Repatriated Guyanese who arrived on the Eastern Airlines flight EAL 232 have commended the Government of Guyana for ensuring they returned home safely.

Further, passengers say Guyana’s Consulate in New York which worked hand in hand with the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF), went far and beyond in getting persons on the flight back to Guyana.

Passenger Giles Stephens said the staff at the consulate was very professional and the process was smooth for him.

“I think she (Consul General the Hon. Barbara Atherly) did a marvellous job; you could have talked to her directly and she would return your call if you called and she was not there,” Stephens said.

Adding that he was grateful for the advice received along the way, until he boarded his flight.

Several other passengers reported that the length of time they had to spend overseas before Thursday’s repatriation flight was worrying, however, they equally expressed their appreciation for government’s assistance and guidance.

One woman, who was abroad on vacation when the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) was first reported in Guyana, noted that “there is no place like home.”

She told DPI, that being on local soil again was the best feeling. “Being home I feel relieved. I think being home reduces my chances of catching COVID-19, the figures in America are only going up.”

Thus far, the government has upgraded its health facilities to address COVID-19 cases; testing, quarantine and treatment. An infectious disease hospital is also nearing completion to address patients of epidemics. The hospital at Ocean View is a first for the region.

In the meantime, another passenger, who requested anonymity shared that he too was relieved to be home. “I tested negative but I am staying indoors as they instructed.”

He said he was thankful for the measures taken by the government to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The direct flight from New York to Guyana arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport just after 2:30 on Thursday afternoon. A total of 195 Guyanese citizens returned home.

This is the final repatriation flight in this phase of government’s plan to bring home Guyanese delayed overseas due to COVID-19. All repatriation flights have to be approved by the National COVID-19 Task Force.