16 Dec 2020 | 05:13 AM UTC
French Guiana: Authorities plan to reimpose 2100-0500 curfew in certain areas beginning Dec. 18, nationwide Dec. 31 to stem the spread of COVID-19 /update 16
Authorities in French Guiana plan to reimpose curfew in certain areas from Dec. 18, nationwide Dec. 31 to stem the spread of COVID-19
Event
Authorities in French Guiana plan to reimpose curfew measures to stem the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) during the holiday season. Effective Dec. 18, a nightly 2100-0500 curfew will be in effect in Cayenne, Kourou, Macouria, Matoury, and Remire-Montjoly. Officials will expand the curfew to cover the entire territory Dec. 31. During curfew hours, all persons except those eating in restaurants must remain in their homes. Restaurants are permitted to stay open until 2230. However, all customers must return home by 2230; they must present their receipts to authorities as proof that they were dining during the beginning of the curfew. This curfew will last through at least Jan. 4; it will not be in force Dec. 24.
Additionally, authorities announced that the municipalities of Apatou, Camopi, Grand-Santi, Mana, Maripasoula, Saint-Georges de l'Oyapock, Saint-Laurent du Maroni, and Sinnamary, which had previously been subject to local curfews, will remain under a 0001-0500 curfew indefinitely.
Other restrictions remain in effect:
French Guiana's borders remain closed to most non-resident foreign nationals.
All individuals must wear protective face coverings whenever in public.
Gatherings of more than six people in indoor and outdoor public spaces are prohibited.
The sale of alcohol for takeaway is prohibited 1800-0800 in all areas except for Awala-Yalimapo, Iracoubo, Montsinery-Tonnegrande, Ouanary, Papaichton, Regina, Roura, Saint-Elie, and Saul, where there are no restrictions.
Despite the border closure, French citizens, diplomats, healthcare workers, airline crews, and non-resident foreign nationals who are in transit to their home country can enter French Guiana. However, all travelers entering the territory must present a negative result from a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before departure. There are no restrictions on cargo shipments and humanitarian travel. All measures are subject to amendment at short notice.
Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice, depending on local disease activity.
Advice
Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.
