Coronavirus: Region 10 implements curfew; Police can arrest those who fail to obey

The Mayor and Town Council of Linden, Region 10 announced Thursday that a regional curfew will be implemented beginning Saturday, March 28 in an effort to lower the risk of spreading COVID-19.

The curfew will be in place for the next two weeks.

Linden is the largest populated area in Region 10 with about 30,000 persons and the Police have the authority to arrest anyone who breaks the curfew.

The Regional Health Emergency Committee agreed to have all businesses closed at 18:00hrs with the exception of supermarkets and pharmacies that which will be closed at 19:00hrs.

This will be imposed in Ituni, Kwakwani, Coomacka, 47 Mile, 58 Mile, Anarika and Rockstone along with Linden in Region 10.

It was revealed that only essential workers which are healthcare professionals among others will be permitted on the road.

The statement said, “All citizens, except essential workers with ID (nurses, police, military, water and electricity) must be in their homes from 20:00hrs until 05:00hrs, citizens found on the street may be detained.”

Restaurants are also directed to offer only take-out and delivery services. All dining and drinking activities must be ceased.

The mayor of Linden, Waneka Arrindell disclosed that anyone found after 20:00hrs on the road will be picked up by the Police and will be subjected to search. She noted further that should persons resist the new order, the police will take all required actions.

A statement from the Mayor noted that she is very disappointed and somewhat alarmed by the behavior of several residents who are operating as though the COVID19 will not affect the region.

“I am appalled to see how several businesses are open late at nights with large crowds of people mingling as though everything is ok. We as a municipality along with the various stakeholders have to put systems in place so that people would recognize that it cannot be business or our lives as usual because serious measures must be taken so as to ensure the safety of others,” she said.

It was revealed that vehicles moving through Region Ten will also be restricted as the mayor declared that immediate and strict measures must be taken if residents will remain safe.