Health Minister warns against social activities, liming during Christmas season

As the busy shopping season begins for Christmas celebrations, Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony is warning persons against liming and partaking in social activities, as this can increase their chances of contracting COVID-19.

“If are going to get something, just get it and go, don’t linger around because the longer you spend out there, your chances of coming into contact with someone who is positive for the virus may be higher and they, themselves, don’t know,” Dr Anthony said during his daily COVID-19 update on Friday.

The Minister also encouraged persons to adhere to the COVID-19 rules of social distancing and hygiene during their shopping in Georgetown and other places.

Guyana has so far recorded 4,662 COVID-19 cases from March 11 to November 12, 2020.

Recently, the increase in the number of cases have been as a result of community spread; in Region One, there has been a consistent increase in cases in Moruca and in Region Four, the majority of the new cases have been recorded in St. Cuthbert’s Mission.

Dr Anthony said the fear is “a spike in cases, not just in one place but nationally,” if precautions are not taken.

There is a 10:30 pm to 4 am curfew in place for November. Though the curfew is lenient, the current COVID-19 guidelines still restrict the opening of bars and nightclubs.

At a time of year when parties and other celebratory activities are more common, Dr Anthony warned that anyone who breaches the orders will face the consequences.

He said the Ministry has already written to businesses for breaching the rules.

“During these times, a lot of people want to go to bars, they want to drink, they want to enjoy themselves. This year, that’s all different and bars are not open, bars are close and we have already written to a number of bars and they will not get a second warning,” the Minister said.

If persons continue to breach the orders, their establishment will be forcefully closed.

The Ministry of Health along with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) are implanting the COVI-Curb initiative which is aimed at enforcing the guidelines and stop the spread of the disease.

According to Dr Anthony, work under the initiative will be intensified next month.