Guyana: Authorities reimpose stricter nationwide curfew hours September 1 /update 5

Event

The Guyana government reimposed stricter nationwide curfew hours between 18:00 and 06:00 (local time) on Tuesday, September 1, due to an increase in numbers of cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The government stated that the stricter curfew will be in place until at least September 30. The curfew hours had previously been shortened to 21:00 to 05:00 as part of an easing of restrictions. During curfew hours, only permitted personnel such as health workers will be permitted to leave the confines of their homes.

Travel in and out of Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region 7), Potaro-Siparuni (Region 8), and Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region 9) remains restricted unless officially sanctioned, and gatherings in these areas remain limited to up to five people.

Guyanese officials announced the implementation of Phase 4 of the country's six-phased COVID-19 exit strategy from August 1. Phase 4 allows places of worship to resume services at limited capacity, as long as these places adhere to proper sanitation and abide by rules on social distancing and the use of face masks. The use of face masks in public remains mandatory. Despite the updated curfew measures, businesses allowed to open are permitted to operate with minor revisions.

Cheddi Jagan International Airport (GEO) in Timehri and Eugene F. Correia International Airport (OGL) in Georgetown will continue to be closed to international flights until further notice. Both airports have been closed to international arrivals since March 18 with exceptions to cargo flights, medical evacuations, fuel stops, and government authorized flights.

As of September 1, authorities have confirmed at least 1373 cases of the virus in Guyana, including 41 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.