Stay at home!

– Violators of stay-at-home order can be arrested and charged

– Categories of essential workers expanded

DPI, Guyana, Saturday, April 11, 2020

There have already been a number of arrests of persons who have violated the stay-at-home order implemented by the Government as a means to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Gazetted order was issued on April 3, 2020, and institutes a 6pm to 6am curfew along with several other measures.  To date, the virus has claimed six lives in Guyana and has infected a total of 45 Guyanese.

Chairman of the National COVID-19 Task Force, Prime Minister the Hon. Moses Nagamootoo in a virtual press conference on Saturday highlighted some updated measures outlined in the order.

The Prime Minister also revealed that the Ministry of Public Security in conjunction with the Guyana Police Force will ramp up its efforts to deal with persons who are deliberately breaking the law and putting the health and safety of countless Guyanese at risk.

The stay at home order does not allow for gatherings of more than five persons, who are still expected to adhere to rules of social distancing which dictate that people should stand 3 to 6 feet away from each other.

“These measures are contained within a lawful instrument; they have been signed by the Minister of Public Health who has been authorised by an executive order by the President. Therefore, these measures become the law and are punishable by whatever penalties are prescribed with the law,” Prime Minister Nagamootoo explained.