Coronavirus: Guyana looking to close embassy in China

As the new coronavirus spreads, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is considering shutting down the embassy in Beijing, China and get Guyanese there out of the country.

But it’s a complicated process, given restrictions on travel imposed by the Chinese government struggling to contain the virus which has so far spread to 10,000 persons and killed 213.

“Right now we are trying to close the embassy, we are not issuing visas…,” Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Karen Cummings told the News Room on Friday.

The government is looking to bring home two Guyanese students on scholarship in Wuhan, where the virus was first reported.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday said that it will most likely not allow entry to persons travelling from China and it urged those who are thinking of travelling to the country to defer those plans.

The Foreign Ministry said persons arriving in Guyana from China, will be subject to quarantine protocols and may be quarantined in a health facility or at home, depending on the outcome of the risk assessment.

All recent travelers from China (after Jan 1st) already in Guyana are asked to contact their nearest health Centre or hospital urgently AND to remain at home for 14 days after the date of arrival.

Further, should flu-like symptoms arise within 14 days after return to Guyana from China or another highly affected country, persons are asked to call the hotline on 592 227 8683 ext 215.

Those who must travel to and from China are advised to take precautions against contracting the virus by avoiding close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections, crowds and the consumption of uncooked food; universal precautions to take include the frequent washing of hands, especially after direct contact with ill persons or their environment.

Travelers with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should also practice cough etiquette, that is, maintain distance from others, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissue or clothing, and also frequently washing their hand.