1178 passengers utilized Guyana/Suriname ferry crossing since reopening

One month after the ferry service between Moleson Creek, Corentyne and South Drain, Suriname reopened, some 1178 persons have utilized the crossing; the ferry service was suspended for nine months because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an invited comment on Thursday, Terminal Manager Gale Culley-Greene told the News Room 160 vehicles were also transported via the MB Sandaka. These numbers account for both persons entering and leaving Guyana.

With a steady increase in the number of persons utilizing the crossing, last week alone the Canawaima Ferry Service Inc. recorded a total of 580 passengers and 68 vehicles. “It has been increasing and it varies from time to time, sometimes they have more going out than coming in and vice versa,” Culley-Greene said.

She assured that there are strict COVID-19 measures in place for the traveling public who utilize the crossing. “We have the health officials here on a daily basis and persons traveling would have their first encounter with them. Once they are cleared then they come to us,” she added.

Every passenger must have a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction Test (PCR test) which must be taken within 72 hours of travel. Culley-Greene reminded that the service will operate every Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday until further notice.

Only Guyanese and Surinamese are being allowed to utilize this facility with international traffic for passengers with other passports prohibited.

Diplomat residents in Guyana and in Suriname are being facilitated upon request through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of both countries.

The ferry service reopened after three Guyanese using the backtrack route to return to Guyana lost their lives.