Issuu

FRIDAY 10th April, 2020

' No.105966

Our next edition will be on Sunday April 12, 2020

Lowenfield to revise 156-day plan SEE STORY ON PAGE 03

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

...as PPP tables 10-day counter proposal

Gov't unveils updated emergency 17 measures PAGE

...15 news businesses added to essential services list

Wismar Hospital identified as isolation facility for COVID-19 patients

Four COVID patients critical PAGE

…placed in ICU; those returned from Barbados medically cleared

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation has stringent COVID-19 precautionary measures for visitors and persons seeking medical services (Delano Williams photo)

PAGE

No beach activities on Easter Weekend -- ‘B’ Division Commander warns promoters 08 PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 10, 2020

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 10, 2020

Lowenfield to revise 156-day plan

...as PPP tables 10-day counter proposal By Svetlana Marshall THE Guyana Elections Commission, after meeting for close to eight hours on Thursday, took a decision to have the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield revise his draft operational plan for a na-

was likely that the number of days to execute the recount in the 10 electoral districts would be reduced. “There is a possibility,” he said, when asked if the number of days would be reduced. Alexander explained that the CEO’s initial proposal was influenced, in part,

count will be influenced by a number of other factors, including the time taken to count the ballots in the boxes. “There are still significant de-

Alexander posited that from the inception, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) high-level team which had arrived mid-March to

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander

GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj

tional recount to include decisions made on the basis of additional proposals tabled. Thursday’s meeting, which stretched from 09:00hrs to 16:30hrs, included discussions on the CEO’s draft operational plan, a counter 10-day plan tabled by the opposition-nominated commissioners, and earlier proposals made by the government-nominated commissioners. In his initial draft operational plan for the recount, the CEO had indicated that the process would take 156 days; however, the number of days is likely to be reduced based on further guidance given by the commission. It, however, will not likely be reduced to 10 days as proposed by the opposition-nominated commissioners. Outside of GECOM’s headquarters, government-nominated Commissioner Vincent Alexander told reporters that while no decision was taken on the 156 days proposed by the CEO, it

by an indication that there should be two commissioners assigned to each workstation. “It is instructive to note that when the CEO proposed 156 days, there were two bases, on which he arrived at that proposal. The first one I mentioned the last time –- that is, how long it will take to count a box; the second reason he arrived at that, there was a proposal from Commissioner Benn, in which he said that each of the operations should be covered by two commissioners. Now that in itself, in the view of the CEO reduced it to three operations, because there are only six commissioners,” Alexander further explained. However, the commission agreed to have that restriction removed, thereby paving the way for the number of workstations to be increased. “It is very likely that it (the workstations) will increase beyond three,” the government-nominated commissioner posited. He, however, cautioned that the duration of the re-

cisions to be made based on a matrix of factors in relation to how long the exercise is actually going to take,” Alexander said, emphasising that the time taken to count the ballot boxes would be dependent on the process undertaken. There is a total of 2, 339 ballot boxes, and according to the CEO’s estimation, it will take each team approximately two (2) hours to count each of the boxes. It was explained that each ballot would need to be projected on a screen but before arriving at that stage, the contents of the ballot boxes would have to be examined to ascertain the number of electors on the list, the number of electors who voted, counting votes cast for both General and Regional Elections and validation of spoilt, questioned and rejected ballots. In his proposed operational plan, the workstations would operate simultaneously for a period of 10 hours daily (09:00hrs – 19:00hrs) at a central location. Thursday, the commission has agreed that the recount will take place at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre.

spearhead the process, had acknowledged, and it was agreed by the commission, that it would not have merely been a numerical count of the ballots. “From the very inception, we made it extremely clear, that it was not a mere numerical recount,” he said, while iterating that the contents of the ballot boxes must be assessed before the count commences. This, he said, is to determine the number of electors listed, and the number of electors who had voted on March 2, inclusive of proxies and valid and invalid ballots cast. That aside, he confirmed that the opposition-nominated Commissioners Sase Gunraj, Robeson Benn and Bibi Shadick submitted a counter proposal to the CEO’s draft operational plan. Alexander himself had made earlier proposals, which were also taken into consideration during Thursday’s meeting. Commissioner Gunraj told reporters that the counter proposal sought to bring down the number of days it would take to execute the recount. “Our calculation in that timeframe puts a possible

completion of all the districts at 10 days. How did we arrive there? One, the CEO’s document had contemplated use of three stations, and our proposal contemplated the use of 20 stations. The CEO’s document has a burden time of about two hours per box; we have reduced that number in half,” he explained. Additionally, they proposed that the teams operate 12 hours per day. Important to note, is that the counter proposal which was seen by the Guyana Chronicle, goes contrary to agreement of the commission, which is to have the recount done in chronological order. According to the opposition-nominated commissioners’ proposal, the recount should commence with Region Four. “The recount will begin with counting of ballots cast for Electoral District Four, since the tabulation of the Region Four results is the basis of the controversy which erupted and the reason for the recount…At the completion of the count for Electoral District Four, the count shall resume with Electoral District One and will proceed in numerical order,” a section of the counter proposal read. When asked if the counter proposal was accepted by the commission, Gunraj responded in the negative. “It was not,” he responded,

but noted that the number of workstations stated in the CEO’s draft operational plan is likely to increase, based on the capacity of the Arthur Chung Convention Centre and other important factors. Gunraj, like Alexander, acknowledged that the CEO’s proposal was limited based on a proposal made by Commissioner Benn. “The CEO’s suggestion for three tables was informed by his understanding that each table should be manned by two paired commissioners. That provided a major restriction, and with the removal of that restriction, I believe that the number of tables can be expanded very easily,” Gunraj further explained. Both commissioners indicated that the CEO has been asked to incorporate the decisions taken and some of the proposals tabled into his operational plan and result with the revised document soonest. It is likely that the next meeting of the commission will be on Monday or Tuesday. “We are trying our best to get this on the road so that it can be done…,” Gunraj told reporters. That aside, the commission has agreed to inform regional and international observers, including CARICOM, that the recount will be executed and their presence would be appreciated.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 10, 2020

Coronavirus: Boris Johnson out of intensive care but remains in hospital (BBC) Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been moved out of intensive care but remains in hospital, Downing Street has said. Mr Johnson has been receiving treatment for coronavirus at St Thomas’ Hospital in London since Sunday. No 10 said he “has been moved this evening from intensive care back to the ward, where he will receive close monitoring during the early phase of his recovery”. A spokesman added: “He is in extremely good spirits.” He was taken to hospital on Sunday - 10 days after testing

positive - and was moved to intensive care on Monday. The prime minister was receiving “standard oxygen treatment” in intensive care and had not been on a ventilator, Downing Street said earlier. He “continues to improve” after a “good night” and thanked the NHS for the “brilliant care” he has received, the spokesman added. Meanwhile, applause rang out across the UK in the third “Clap for Carers” event, where people in lockdown show their appreciation for NHS staff and other workers on the front line of the pandemic.

A total of 7,978 people have now died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus, up by 881 on Wednesday. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has urged the public to stay indoors over this Easter weekend, saying that after almost three weeks of lockdown “we are starting to see the impact of the sacrifices we’ve all made”.

“Let’s not ruin it now,” he added. Mr Raab, who is deputising for the PM, said a decision on whether to ease the lockdown measures would not come until “the end of next week”. ‘World-class care’ Giving his reaction to the latest development, US President Donald Trump tweeted: “Great News: Prime Minister

Boris Johnson has just been moved out of Intensive Care. Get well Boris!!!” Health Secretary Matt Hancock tweeted: “So good that the prime minister is out of intensive care and on the road to recovery. The NHS is there for us all and I know our amazing NHS staff have given him their characteristic world-class care.” Speaking earlier at the

Downing Street daily briefing, Mr Raab said he had not spoken to Mr Johnson since his admission to hospital. “I think it is important to let him focus on the recovery - we in the government have got this covered,” said Mr Raab. Mr Raab added that he has “got all the authority I need” to take decisions along with his cabinet colleagues.

The PM was last seen in public a week ago (BBC) The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits has surged for a third week as the economic toll tied to the coronavirus pandemic intensifies. More than 6.6 million people filed jobless claims in the week ending 4 April, the Department of Labor said. To shore up the economy, the Federal Reserve said it would unleash an additional $2.3tn in lending. The deepening economic crisis comes as the number of

virus cases in the US soars to more than 430,000. Over the last three weeks, more than 16 million people have made unemployment claims, as restrictions on activity to help contain the virus force most businesses to close and put about 95% of Americans on some form of lockdown. “Today’s report continues to reflect the personal sacrifice being made by America’s workers and their families to slow the spread of the coronavirus,” Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia

Thursday, April 10, 05:30hrs - 07:00 hrs

said. The surging joblessness is a stark reversal for the world’s biggest economy where the unemployment rate had been hovering around 3.5%. Economists now expect that rate has hit the double digits. The crisis has prompted dramatic government relief efforts. The central bank programmes on Thursday, which include loans to local governments, are the latest actions by the Fed, which has also slashed interest rates, eased banking regulations and announced other programmes aimed at supporting home loans, currency markets and small businesses. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said the bank is using its emergency powers to “unprecedented extent”. “We will continue to use these powers forcefully, proactively and aggressively until we’re solidly on the way to recovery,” he said. The US Congress has also passed a roughly $2tn rescue bill, which funds direct payment for households, assistance for businesses and increased unemployment benefits. Lawmakers are now discussing further relief. But the number of people and firms seeking assistance has overwhelmed rescue efforts so far. In New York, Lou Benavides, who works in the music industry, has tried for weeks to register for jobless benefits, but cannot reach the Labor Department to finish processing his claim. “There was one day when I made like 300 calls,” he said. “I still have not spoken to a human being.”

‘Soften the shock’ The shutdowns due to the coronavirus have now affected a majority of the roughly 21 million jobs US employers have added since recovery from the financial crisis started in 2010. While the 6.6 million jobless claims filed in the US in the week to 4 April is actually a slight dip from the 6.8 million registered the week before, economists warn that the elevated figures are likely to continue. “The stimulus from the US government and the Federal Reserve will soften the shock to some degree. But with business restrictions and closures still in place, the coming weeks will likely reveal more people facing income and job losses,” said Robard Williams, senior vice president at Moody’s Investors Service. More than 80% of the global workforce has been affected by full or partial business closure due to the pandemic, according to the International Labour Organization, which is part of the United Nations. “It’s frustrating, it’s scary,” said New Yorker Kayla Borges, who husband’s catering job was cut in recent weeks. He has been unable to reach officials to complete his unemployment claim. “With one pay cheque it’s rough. It’s definitely not something that we’ve planned for.” But Mr Powell said the US economy entered the current crisis on a strong footing, which should help recovery, assuming the virus is contained and health authorities devise a careful back-to-work plan. “There is every reason to believe that the economic rebound when it comes can be robust,” he said.

04-04-2020

03 06 09 19 20 21 07

03-04-2020

01 14 16 24 25

01 04 08 12 14

702

012

08 12 15 19 21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 10, 2020

Four COVID patients critical

…placed in ICU as those who returned from Barbados medically cleared -citizens urged to celebrate Easter in their yards By Navendra Seoraj GUYANESE who returned home from Barbados and were placed in institutional quarantine have been medically cleared and were sent home. Twenty-one persons had arrived on March 25, 2020, on a chartered flight which landed at the Eugene Correia International Airport after special arrangements were worked out between the passengers and the government to allow them to return to Guyana, since the country’s airports are currently closed to international passenger flights. The cancellation of the international flights was one among a list of measures that the country has put in place to guard against the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). On arrival in Guyana, tension developed among some of the passengers, their family members and authorities at the airport. The National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) had reported that some of the passengers attempted to resist being quarantined and wanted to be able to meet their families. Authorities were, however, able to quarantine those persons. Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, in providing

an update on the COVID-19 pandemic, on Thursday, said those 21 persons have been medically cleared and sent home. Additionally, the minister said seven persons who were on home quarantine, were also medically cleared. While some persons have been cleared, 22 remain in isolation while 11 are in institutional quarantine. Minister Lawrence said the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases remains at 37, inclusive of six COVID-19 related deaths. Four of the infected persons are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and one of those persons is critical. So far, 152 persons have been tested for COVID-19 and according to results of those tests, 37 persons were positive and 115 persons were negative. Globally, there are 1,353,361 cases of COVID-19, with 79,235 deaths. And, with no approved treatment or cure, there is no assurance that persons will survive after contracting the disease. In the absence of approved medication, governments and authorities across the world have employed a number of preventative measures to contain the spread of the disease. “Let me take this opportunity to remind you that there are

no vaccines nor medications to address the Coronavirus disease; the medical personnel will treat you according to the symptoms you present,” said Minister Lawrence. A virtual meeting was, however, convened on Thursday to discuss alternative testing modalities such as the use of rapid testing and to discuss the use of medications such as hydroxycholoroquine & choloroquine to treat COVID-19. Participants of the meeting included Technical Experts from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), Washington, representatives of private hospitals, the medical council, the private sector and members of the media, said Minister Lawrence. While the possibility of utilising such measures continue to engage the authorities, the minister advised persons that handwashing exercises, coughing and sneezing etiquette and social and physical distancing remain important. In stressing this point, Minister Lawrence said: “If you value your life as well as those in your social circle, your loved ones, your friends and neighbours, then stay home and encourage all to do the same. “I urge you to remain in the sanctuary of your home, step out only if necessary, and make sure you cover your nose

and mouth.” As a measure of protection, government had extended its emergency measures to combat the dreaded disease, with the imposition of a 12-hour curfew on citizens. These emergency measures were taken pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) (b) of the directions issued by the President, in accordance with the Public Health Ordinance, Cap. 145, and published in the Official Gazette, Legal Supplement B on March 16 2020, the government said in a notice issued on Friday evening. The measures at reference took effect from April 3, 2020, and will last one month, unless earlier terminated, extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Public Health, after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions. And, as the world approaches the Easter weekend, Minister Lawrence reminded citizens that the curfew is still in effect, so they should celebrate it in their yards. Speaking about the curfew, Minister Lawrence had said: “The curfew was established with the aim of stopping the transmission, yet it is evident

that persons do not understand the seriousness of the situation, and they continue to congregate in groups. “Your co-operation is critical; I am begging you, stay at home during the day. If you must go out, ensure nose and mouth are covered; protect yourselves from these droplets that infect persons with the disease.” The minister further said that the curfew will remain in effect until May, and will change, based on the response from Guyanese. The public health ministry, and, by extension, the government, has already employed a number of measures to curb the spread of the virus. The existing efforts, such as the COVID-19 hotline, were supplemented after the ministry rolled out a self-test APP. Through the app, persons are able to self-test and upload their information, which will go directly to the ministry’s surveillance team. Persons will then be contacted by the team if deemed necessary. The app can be accessed at COVID-19. health.gov.gy. According to the World

Health Organisation (WHO), COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the newly discovered coronavirus. WHO said most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older persons and those with underlying medical problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer, are more likely to develop serious illness. The WHO believes that the best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the virus, the disease it causes and how it is spread. “Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol-based rub frequently and not touching your face. The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practise respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow),” the WHO has advised.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 10, 2020

Good Friday GOOD Friday, considered as the “holiest” day in the Christian calendar, is believed to be the day when Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was crucified. Marking this day as Good Friday is not representative of an oxymoron, given that it marks the death of Christ, but the exemplification of new beginnings. According to the Christian faith, Jesus was sent to Earth by God, His Father, that the world, through Him, might be saved. His coming was born out of recognition that humankind has departed from the values prescribed by God, and that relations among fellowmen and Man with God were not satisfactory. This was a period when leaders, religious and government, were engaged in acts that did not lend themselves to relationships of equality, justice and love among fellowmen. Christians recall the story of Christ’s visit to the temple; his condemnation of a practice he described as akin to that of a den of thieves. In pouring out the money-changers’ coins and overturning their tables, he remonstrated against the unacceptable practice in a sanctuary. The teachings of Jesus are grounded in four principles: Equality, Justice, Love among fellowmen, and Redemption. Children learn at a very early age the concepts of love and equality in church songs, with lyrics such as: “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, all are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world.” The benefit of this early socialisation helps in shaping Man’s outlook towards each other, in the sense that none

can claim superiority. The history of Man has seen this principle used to topple oppressive systems such as slavery, indentureship and colonialism. The famed African-American Civil Rights for equality movement was grounded in this principle, which is also enshrined in the U.S. Declaration of Independence, and the Guyana Constitution. Values of equality, justice, love and redemption have informed laws, universal declarations, conventions and charters. Christ’s life exemplifies leadership by example; He preached the principle of doing unto others as you would like them to do unto you. In the story of the woman who, having committed an unsavoury act was condemned by the masses and brought before Him to be castigated, His words to the crowd were: “Whoever is without sin among you, let him be the first to cast a stone at her.” (John 8:7 KJV). That none was befitting of this virtue, Christ told the woman, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on, sin no more.” (John 8:11 KJV). Spiritually, the application here is that everyone has shortcomings, and if given an opportunity to plead with God for forgiveness, that person would be heard and accepted. Likewise, similar opportunity should be granted to others. At a societal level, the moral rests in opportunity for freedom, improvement, and second chances. Christ’s teachings embody the spiritual, social, political and economic well-being of humankind. He spoke to the importance of spiritual health and wellness, condemned the bad practices of earthly governments and Man, inclusive of poverty, intolerance, inequity and injustice.

Obviously, His presence on earth and teachings disrupted the status quo. The religious-minded and politically-inclined found His leadership unnerving, as He disturbed the way they preferred things. Thus, those who did not condemn His actions schemed to have Him killed. As they proceeded with allegations of blasphemy deserving of death, even though the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate found no evidence to the effect, he handed Jesus’s fate over to the crowd, who called for him to be crucified. Though on this day during the crucifixion, stake-like nails were driven through His palms and feet, and in a moment of humanness, He cried, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46 NIV) Accepting His role in life between earthly Man and heavenly Father, He proclaimed, “No one takes it from me; but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” (John 10:18 NIV) And while earthly Man thought that in crucifying Him, they were killing His teachings for a new dispensation, He was in fact paying the ultimate price to bring about a new life for humankind, on earth and in the hereafter. In the hereafter, it is the opportunity to have everlasting life and be with God; on earth, it is a life built on justice, equality, love and redemption. The upholding of these principles in our daily lives can ensure peaceful and harmonious relations among all, given that they are not constrained by religious or irreligious dispositions.

Passing of Komal Chand Those forces trying to block a national recount Dear Editor, THE National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) and the Trade Union fraternity have been cast into mourning by the passing of our Comrade, Mentor and fellow trade unionist Cde. Komal Chan, President of GAWU and Vice-President of FITUG. Cde. Chan has served the Trade Union Movement and Guyana with distinction in several capacities; he will always be remembered as a leader who fought for workers and their rights. He was an individual who was always willing to listen and give advice and support to fellow trade unionists and people in general. NAACIE is paying tribute to this outstanding Guyanese trade unionist, legislator and champion of workers’ rights, and take this opportunity to record his over 45 years of friendship with both our Honorary President, Cde. Ashton Chase S.C, O.E, and Consultant, Dr. N.K Gopaul. Together, they fought many

battles successfully on behalf of the workers. They, too, record their sadness at his passing. May he be remembered forever as a true fighter for workers rights, decent living conditions, and a true Guyanese patriot. On behalf of our Honorary President, Consultant, the Executive, staff and members of NAACIE, we express our deepest and sincere condolences to his wife, children, grandchildren, siblings, other relatives and friends. The Executive, Staff and members of NACIE also wish to extend heartfelt condolences to our Executive member of the BOSAI Branch, Linden, Bro. Neptune Hercules, his children, grandchildren, other relatives and friends on the passing of his beloved wife, Mrs. Yonette Hercules, of 635 Block 22, Wismar, Linden. She also will be sadly missed. Sincerely, Dawchan Nagasar, General Secretary NAACIE

Dear Editor,

2020. An injunction seeking to have the national recount AS the Caribbean Team “supervised” by CARICOM invited to supervise a na- was presented to the High tional recount departed Court. The injunction was these shores on May 17, carried by the High Court 2020, Prime Minster Mot- on March 17, 2020. The tley remarked, “It is clear ruling noted, inter alia, that that there are forces” (in GECOM is constitutionally Guyana) that do not want mandated to supervise a nato see the votes recounted, tional recount, and manage for whatever reason.” the electoral system of GuyPrime Minister Mot- ana. No other entity, agency tley, who is also the current or individual can perform the Chairwoman of the CAR- constitutional responsibilities ICOM was invited to Guy- of GECOM. ana after President GrangOn March 15, 2020, Mr. er proposed the idea of a Gerry Gouveia, Chairman of national recount of votes, the Private Sector Commisa gesture that was agreed sion was seen in a picture to in principle by Bharrat with Prime Minster Mottley Jagdeo, Opposition Leader that was circulating on social and General Secretary of the media. The text above the People’s Progressive Party. image showed that RoraiA CARICOM Team was as- ma’s ground-handling crew sembled, and made their way facilitated the arrival of the to Guyana on the invitation CARICOM Team. The text of GECOM on March 15, also showed Mr. Gouveia

calling for a national recount; that is, all 10 electoral districts. On April 6, 2020, Mr. Gouveia, through the media, stated that a national recount would be a waste of time. This is after said recount was agreed to by the GECOM, the APNU+AFC ‘Coalition’ and the PPP/C and CARICOM in the first instance. In the second instance, the Commissioners and Chairwoman of GECOM agreed to proceed with a recount. It begs the question, then: What are the Chairman of the PSC and the PPP/C afraid of and hiding, so much so that both have publicly contradicted themselves and placed the members of PSC in a politically precarious situation? Yours, R. Chung-A-On

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 10, 2020

A founder member’s views on GAPSO and George Gomes Dear Editor, I FOUND it quite interesting to observe on the April 7, 2020 edition of the Prime News in which Mr. George Gomes lashed out at the eloquent and dynamic Private Sector Commission, of which Captain Gerry Gouveia is the current Chairman, and, in my opinion, an exceptional Chairman and dedicated son of the soil of Guyana. I wish to state that any member who belongs to an umbrella body can be quoted, to my opinion, in any release or letter sent out by said umbrella body. One cannot call and ask every organisation their permission on a matter of importance, nor can one call and ask every member within an organisational structure such as GAPSO. As I recall, on the commencement of GAPSO, of which, I, Roshan Khan was a Founder Member, President, Secretary,

and Treasurer, one of the aims and objectives was to respect the law and order and the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. As a member of the Private Sector Commission, GAPSO falls under that umbrella body, and therefore the leaders are elected to make decisions of the organisation; very much so as when a leader is elected to run a country. In other words, they cannot seek permission from everyone! Mr. George Gomes is out of his depth and logical reasoning, due to his political penchant and partisan personality. He seems to think that security in Guyana is owned by him, and the entire Government structure appears to be his personal property. Mr. George Gomes, the Managing Director of Kalibur Security is not the spokesperson of GAPSO as far as I know. I recall well when Mr. George Gomes was an employee of the then

COPS Security (now Senitinel Security Services), and he had to sit in a meeting that was chaired by the then President, Mr. Maurice Amres. As an employee of COPS, he thought that GAPSO was an unnecessary institution, and he made it quite clear that he believed it’s a waste of time to sit with the executives, or be a part of their association. So, from the start, it is known that he had no respect for GAPSO. However, when he launched his own security company, I was shocked when I heard he applied for membership. By this time I had started to play a lesser role in the organisation, due to the fact that one founder member was exposed in the media and courts for manipulating NIS, VAT and PAYE taxes, inclusive of corporate taxes to the tune of billions of dollars combined. That company eventually declared bankruptcy, and just changed its name while starting all over again. But, the

criminality continues! Many other apparent so-called security services are also known to be manipulators and thieves of VAT, NIS and general forms of taxes. As a result of which, I can no longer sit with such a body. Further, my understanding is that GAPSO has not paid its dues for almost a decade to the PSC, and yet out of the decency of the PSC, they are allowed to sit as a member. Mr. George Gomes needs to display some respect for the private sector commission, bearing in mind that he is no spokesperson for GAPSO, and also to recognise the fact that Gerry Gouveia is noted as a patriot, a scholar, and an impartial personality. To lump him or any other impartial personalities with a political organisation just because they speak their minds while protesting against the lawless would be immature, unjust and obviously an attempt by GECOM to compromise the elections.

Unfortunately, the gentleman is being labeled as being politically biased because of his letter, dated March 27th, 2020, that was addressed to the Inter-American Commission on Human rights. One, as it will appears in Guyana, cannot hold to be impartial or cannot speak against injustice, or the likes of Mr. George Gomes - who think that they own Guyana and can control Guyana will rise to control hearts, minds, and Government businesses. Mr. George Gomes as far as I am concerned is entitled to his political choice - a prerequisite in the democratic norms to which we in Guyana subscribe. However, he should desist from speaking on behalf of GAPSO as he is neither the spokesperson nor the President. Sincerely, Dr. Roshan Khan, Snr.

The recount process is a Tribute to a repeat of the count process Fallen Comrade:

Dear Editor,

IT IS widely circulated in sections of the media that a recount is simply a recount of ballots; that is, an iterative process of counting one, two, three and arriving at a total. This understanding has to be dispelled. Guyanese must understand that a recount is for all intents and purposes a thorough repeat of the counting process which occurred at all the places of poll. It is important to note that in Region 6, a Presiding Officer had to be fired, and in Districts Two, Three and Five, among others, PPP-controlled Presiding Officers were not operating based on the rules set out by GECOM. The recount has to take these facts into consideration. Most, if not all, polling stations ended the voting process at 18:00hrs, and commenced the counting process. Given the number of discrepancies unearthed in the various districts, I don’t believe that many Presiding Officers followed the counting process. My understanding of the process is that it requires the Presiding Officers to first count the unused ballot papers. The Presiding Officers would then count the number of names that were scratched off from their copies of the Official List of Electors (OLE). The Presiding Officers would then subtract the amount of names that were scratched from the total number of names on the OLE. The figure they get after doing that subtraction must synchronise with the total number of unused ballots. The next step is to go into the

ballot boxes. The Presiding Officers, upon removing the seals from the ballot boxes, must empty the contents on a table and count the ballot papers in the presence of all. The total number of ballot papers in the box is expected to be the same figure for the amount of names that were scratched from the OLE, and further, the figure of the ballot papers in the box with the figure of the unused ballot papers and the spoilt ballot papers when added together must give you back the total number of electors on the OLE, and also the total number of ballot papers that were issued to the Presiding Officers. In essence, the count must ensure that all the figures correspond and harmonise. The Presiding Officers are then expected to separate the ballot papers (General and Regional), and start the one, two, three count. At the end of the one, two, three count, the Presiding Officers are expected to ensure again that the number of spoilt ballot papers, the number of rejected ballot papers and the number of valid ballot papers add up to the number of total ballot papers issued to them. All the information are then placed on a tally sheet, and then placed onto the Statements of Poll. Since there is evidence in District 3, that on many occasions the Presiding Officers did not place what was on the tally sheet on the SOPs, there is need in the recount process to ensure the tally sheet and the SOPs correspond. Editor, I may not have chronicled every single action expected of the Presiding

Officers during the counting process, but the idea and intention are to ensure that we understand what exactly a count in our elections is. It is a process that seeks to ensure that the total number of valid votes for all parties’ List of Candidates and total number of rejected ballot papers add up to the total number of votes cast at polling stations, and that figure along with the number of spoilt ballot papers and number of destroyed ballot papers must add up to the total number of ballot papers issued to the polling station. There must also be a record of the number of used or unused tendered ballot papers. **In addition, there cannot be more votes than the amount of voters on the voters’ list. This also has to be checked

because there are cases in which this occurred. We must also remember that the count was done in a decentralized manner while the recount from all indication will be done in a centralized manner. Editor, I have no doubt that the People’s Progressive Party will not want this process to happen especially from Regions One to Ten because they don’t want the world to see and know what they are guilty of but as I have said before let the recount begin and let the chips fall where they may. I humbly await the final declaration in favour of the APNU+AFC. Regards, Ganesh Mahipaul

Komal Chand

HE was a Labour Leader genuinely committed to the Working Class. His endeavours to help the poor, in many cases quietly, are legendary. We worked together seeking solutions rather than confrontations. He belonged to an era that is swiftly passing. I respected this man as a Trade Unionist, and a Principled Man. My sympathy to his family and his Union. May he rest in peace. Regards, Keith Scott, Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 10, 2020

Courts donates $6.5M emergency No beach activities on Easter Weekend bus to help fight COVID-19 – B Division commander warns promoters

Managing Director of Unicommer Guyana, Clyde De Hass (right) hands over the key to the emergency response bus to Dr. Leston Payne, Head of the Heath Emergency Response Committee, Ministry of Public Health, as other officials look on

IN an effort to enhance the Ministry of Public Health’s capacity to combat the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), Unicommer Guyana, the parent company of Courts Guyana, has donated a $6.5 million emergency response bus to the health authorities. Unicomer had engaged the public health ministry on ways which the company can contribute to the fight against the COVID-19 disease, and the ministry specifically asked for assistance with transportation. “We had a bus, which we had plans for but we deferred those plans…we discussed with the ministry of health about the assistance required and they said transportation…as we were not using the bus for now, we decided

to help out,” said Managing Director of Unicomer Guyana, Clyde De Haas in an invited comment, on Thursday. The bus was retrofitted to the specifications of the public health ministry and was in the end transformed into an emergency response vehicle. While the contribution is timely and is expected to go a far way in boosting the ministry’s capacity, De Haas said the private sector has a very important role to play in the fight against COVID-19. “The private sector’s role is very important…we have an opportunity here to restrict the spread of COVID-19 through social distancing and other measures such as the stay-home orders which are aimed at stopping the spread and flattening the curve,” he said.

Businesses are doing their bit in terms of adhering to the “stay-home” order, but he believes that where there are means, the private sector should also assist. He acknowledged the slowdown in business, but reiterated that the private sector should try their best to assist in any way possible. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the newly discovered coronavirus. WHO said most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older persons and those with underlying medical problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory

disease, and cancer, are more likely to develop serious illnesses. The WHO believes that the best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the virus, the disease it causes and how it is spread. “Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol-based rub frequently and not touching your face. The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practise respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow),” the WHO has advised.

Daniel Mc Lennon remanded for businessman’s murder DANIEL Mc Lennon, Called “Dutty”, was, on Thursday, charged and remanded to prison until June 6 for the murder of Rose Hall Town businessman, Lomenzo Johnny, called “Sham”. Mc Lennon, 24, of Second Street Rose Hall Town was not required to plead to the indictable charge, when it was read to him by Magistrate Peter Hugh at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s court, on Thursday afternoon. He was remanded to the New Amsterdam Prison, while the matter was also transferred to Albion Magistrate’s Court for his next

appearance. The accused was arrested, on Wednesday, in the capital city, and brought to face the charges, following an arrest warrant that was issued for him, on March 11, 2020, for questioning in relation to the murder of Johnny between February 26-27 at Portuguese Quarters, Port Mourant, East Berbice Corentyne. Johnny operated a grocery shop at Lot 11, East Side Line Dam, Portuguese Quarters, Port Mourant. He was discovered in a clump of bushes on a farm a short distance from his home, on February 27. The 49-year-old was last

seen alive at around 19:30hrs on the night of February 26, as he went out for his usual evening jog. His remains were discovered around 07:45hrs the following morning, with his feet tied with a black lace, several wounds to his head, injuries to his left eye and strangulation marks on his neck. Wounds were also seen on his back and bruises to the hands. In addition to Mc Lennon, four others were charged for the murder of the businessman and have been remanded following confessions, and the discovery of a safe belonging to the businessman as well as over

$2M in the possession of two of the men. Satram Khuslay called “Steve Urkel”, 27, a cane harvester, of Lot 80 Hampshire and Billal Mc Lennon, 30, a labourer of Mora Street Swamp Section Rose Hall Town were charged with the capital offence while Navindra Narain, called “Husk”, and Gopaul Ramgobin, both 24, and employed as hire car drivers of Tain Village, Corentyne, Berbice, were charged with accessory to murder after the fact. They were all jointly charged on March 11.

DIVISIONAL COMMANDER for East Berbice, Corentyne, Calvin Brutus, on Thursday, issued a stern warning to promoters against hosting of events, over the Easter weekend, at the Number 63 Beach or other beaches in the region. The warning came after he learnt that several persons were planning to take their sound systems and bars to the beach to entertain and promote their products. An activity of this nature usually attract large crowds and is in direct contravention to the national curfew that was imposed by the government to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, the regional top cop explained. “It is a prohibited activity and one which we, as the police, cannot allow to happen and throughout that period anyone caught on the beach will be arrested and prosecuted. The community is advised not to get yourself involved on the wrong side of the law,” he said. Commander Brutus added, that all other areas used, such as open spaces, ball fields among others, that are used for kite flying, picnicking and other social gatherings for Easter, fall under the same guidelines and residents need to adhere or face the possibility of being taken to court for being in breach of

the curfew. “Stay away from the beach, ball fields or any social gathering, stay in your home, self-quarantine and observe social distancing guidelines,” the senior cop urged. Meanwhile, Gobin Harbajan, regional representative for the Office of the Prime Minister, who has for the past five years been taking the lead in preparing for the Easter weekend has advised that he nor those who have been assisting, over the years, will be doing anything this time around. “The beach usually has over 25,000 people on Easter Monday alone and just imagine what would happen if anyone has the virus and it is spread. For this reason I have decided not to get any works done nor promote any activity. I want to advise people to stay at home for their own safety “ There are several beaches and spots in Region Six where people would converge on Easter weekend to fly kites and have picnics. Due to the curfew that puts a stop to social gatherings, persons are advised to stay at home as the police will be in full force over the weekend to ensure the rules of the curfew and social distancing guidelines are followed.

Belle West Cattle farmer died from multiple stab wounds CATTLE farmer, Sohan Ramdial, whose body was discovered on Monday in a shallow grave in Belle West on the West Bank Demerara, died from multiple stab wounds to his chest, according to an autopsy performed on Wednesday. The autopsy was performed by government pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh, who gave the cause of death as “perforation of the lungs and heart due to multiple penetrating wounds”. The wounds are believed to have been caused by more than one weapon. Essequibo Island-West Demerara (Region Three) Regional Crime Chief, Troy Whittaker, said there are no suspects as yet in the case but he remains optimistic. “We’re still active in our investigation, as I speak now the team is still on the ground checking out some new leads but I am almost confident that we will get a breakthrough,” Whittaker said. The body of the sixty-

seven-year-old man was discovered in the shallow grave after his family had mobilised a search party for him on Monday morning since he did not return home as expected on Sunday evening. Ramdial was last seen on Sunday morning when he left his Lot 69 Claybrick Road, Canal No. 2, home to tend to his cattle in the backdam. The family was unsure of why anyone would have wanted to murder the farmer, while neighbours were left in disbelief at the discovery in their quiet farming community. “I can’t say if he had problems with anybody, but normally he doesn’t trouble anybody; he comes, looks his cow, and goes home. He doesn’t have problems but apparently somebody and he got problem; but I don’t know, I can’t say,” his daughter, Padmini Ramdial, had said. Ramdial leaves to mourn his wife Lynette John, his three children and four grandchildren

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 10, 2020

‘Record their registration numbers’ -GPSU advises health workers to note down discriminatory transportation operators

HEALTH workers remain on the frontline of the battle against the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, yet operators of public transportation have been discriminating against these workers, an act which was condemned by the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU). Considering those discriminatory actions, the GPSU advised all healthcare workers to record the registration number of any public transportation vehicle that denies them their right to join the vehicle, to be transported. This information should be forwarded to the GPSU so that adequate action could be taken. The union, in a press statement on Thursday, said it is offended by the attitude displayed by some operators of the public transportation system to the healthcare workers, particularly nurses. “This behaviour by some drivers/conductors of the minibuses who are refusing to transport nurses in uniform, to and from work, must

be condemned,” said GPSU. The action must be condemned because healthcare workers are on the frontline of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, which has so far infected over one million persons and claimed the lives of close to 80,000 persons. “Our healthcare workers render patient care to those afflicted and all assistance should be given to ensure that they arrive at work on time to relieve their tired and sometimes overworked colleagues and to take home those who have just completed their shift. “The service these workers provide is priceless and they should be commended and every effort should be made by the public to display appreciation for the work they do, to encourage and motivate them to make their lives comfortable,” said GPSU. The union also acknowledged that minibuses serve as an integral part of the public transportation system in Guyana, while the healthcare

workers depend on minibuses to get to work on time or to get home after a hard day/ night providing health care. The GPSU acknowledged the right of every individual or entity to ensure that anyone who is anticipated to be in close proximity of the virus observe certain health protocols, and is positive that healthcare workers observe all the necessary requirements before leaving their home or work. And, if there is a concern by the operators of public transport, the union suggested that those operators implement appropriate systems, considered practicable and, similar to those adopted by agencies. “However, to deny them (healthcare workers) access to the minibus is downright absurd, unlawful, and completely unacceptable and should not be tolerated. As a licensed public transportation operator, there should be no discrimination and all passengers should be treated equally and any acts of discrimination should be dealt with by

the law,” said the GPSU. It was reported that the Ministry of Public Health had put measures in place to protect healthcare workers who are dealing with COVID-19 patients. The Ministry had partnered with the Ministry of Communities to provide transportation for all healthcare workers to travel to and from their place of work. Chief Executive Officer of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, retired brigadier George Lewis, had said the staff of the institution is being discriminated against when they attempt to use private transportation or visit supermarkets and other places. He had reminded that healthcare workers are important in the fight against COVID-19 and as such, urged persons to stop the discrimination.

Rupununi residents continue to use ‘illegal’ river crossings to Brazil

Several persons were captured on camera making their way from across the Brazilian border via the Takutu River near the village of St Ignatius.

DESPITE the efforts of the authorities at Lethem to stem the spread of the Coronavirus by putting several measures in place, residents on both sides of the border continue to utilize illegal river crossings at the border town, especially at nights. The Takutu Bridge has been closed temporarily and is only opened to facilitate the passage of essential goods on Thursdays; however, according to reports from Lethem, persons have been using several illegal river

crossings to get to and from areas on both sides of the border, during the day, and especially at nights. Residents of the town, including leading members of the business community, have since called on the authorities to enforce the law. In one instance, on Thursday afternoon, at least four persons were captured heading back to the village of St Ignatius near Lethem on bicycles, after crossing the almost dry Takutu River. But some residents noted that there are no other alter-

natives for persons to earn a living since persons living at Bom Fin work at Lethem and vice versa. Last month, the authorities in Brazil had agreed to persons being able to cross into that country at specific times during the day. However, that measure has been scrapped, as a restriction to cross was put in place from April 2, 2020 for 30 days. Several weeks ago, as Brazil recorded new cases of the coronavirus, the authorities closed a gate on the main highway connecting

the town of Boa Vista with Lethem. Later, the closure was amended in which only vehicles with essential goods were given the green-light to cross, on Thursdays only. Several measures were implemented by the Lethem Town Council, based on recommendations of a regional task force, to prevent the spread of the virus from across the border. Brazil has recorded over 17,800 cases of COVID-19, with the number of deaths listed at 941.

Two confess to gruesome murder of ‘Lil boy’ TWO men are currently in police custody and have confessed to the gruesome murder of 24-year-old Lawrence Raymond Benjamin called “Lil boy”. Benjamin, of Ice House Road, Timehri, was stabbed and killed by two males on Sunday, April 5, 2020 at a shop in his village around 09:45hrs that day. He was reportedly chased by his assailants. His body was discovered sitting in a white plastic chair with stab wounds to the neck and ribs. He was clad in a white vest and blue short pants. Benjamin was last seen alive by his mother, Alexis Forde, on the same day in question around 06:00hrs, when he told her that she would be left crying for him. Police investigation revealed that on March 31, 2020, Benjamin was arrested and placed in custody at the Timehri Police Station for threatening behaviour, language and assault com-

Lawrence Raymond Benjamin called ‘Lil boy’

mitted on his foster father and others. He was however released on April 4, 2020 and was expected to appear in court on April 7, but was killed before that time. However, due to a collaborative effort among three divisions, the two suspects fingered in Benjamin's death were arrested and have reportedly confessed to their involvement in the crime.

Investigation launched into motorcyclist’s death POLICE are investigating the fatal accident which claimed the life of 29-yearold motorcyclist, Shawn Andrew Burrows. Burrows was killed in an accident on the Houston Public Road, East Bank Demerara on Wednesday. The father of one, who lived at Young Street, Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara, was reportedly on his way home on motorcycle, CH 7915 when he met his demise. According to the police, around 15:30hrs, Burrows was riding his motorcycle at a fast rate along the Houston Public Road when the accident occurred. He was proceeding south on the eastern side of the eastern carriageway, allegedly at a fast rate, when, while negotiating a slight bend, he lost control of the motorcycle and collided with the concrete median. As a result of the collision, Burrows was flung into the air and landed on the road surface. He suffered multiple injuries to the body and was

Shawn Andrew Burrows

picked up in an unconscious state by a public- spirited citizen and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was seen and examined by a doctor. He died while receiving treatment. However, members of Burrows family are claiming that he was not speeding at the time of the accident and they are awaiting closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from the police. Investigation into the matter is still ongoing.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 10, 2020

Komal Chand’s passing surprised his family ALL of Mavendra Chand’s memories of his father, Komal Chand, are of his father’s days as a trade unionist and a politician, but what he remembers most is that, through it all, his father was a very humble man, who treasured the simple things in life. The second of Komal’s three children, 34-year-old Mavendra says his father was a private person but was always an unwavering supporter of what was right. “He never used to like to flaunt… that was certainly not one of his qualities. You would never know who he is unless you knew him. We had many cases with persons coming when he’s home and in the yard working and they would go to him and say they want to meet Komal Chand, not realizing that was him,” Mavendra shared. 75-year-old Chand died last Wednesday in Cuba after a prolonged period of illness. Mavendra said the news of his father’s death has left the family surprised. “We are very shocked. He left Guyana for Cuba for a complete medical check-up. We certainly didn’t expect it to turn out this way. They went there, they had to extend the time and then the COVID came out and the airport had a lockdown and then his condition worsened,” Mavendra explained. Chand had travelled to Cuba, with his wife, Rukhmin, in early March for the medical checkup. However, shortly after the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic began to hit Caribbean countries, several measures, including restricted air travel, began to be implemented.

Guyana reported its first case of the virus on March 11. Passenger air travel is currently prohibited outside of special

home from working, he would be busy doing stuff in the yard,” Mavendra shared. When Chand was not at home,

The late president of GAWU and PPP/C MP, Komal Chand (sitting left) with his wife, Rukhmin (sitting right) and their three children (from left) Yohani, Mavendra and Navi

arrangements. Mavendra said the family is currently trying to find out if it is possible to get his father’s body back to Guyana for burial, and have his mother return home as she is having a hard time dealing with the loss. Reminiscing on happier times with his father, Mavendra recollects his father as someone who was very good with his hands. “My memories of [my father] is being involved with him on the weekends, working in the yard. We would be doing plumbing, electrical work, doing work in the pasture… we had some cows. He was also a cattle farmer. He was always occupied. When he was

he was busy with his work as a trade unionist. At the time of his passing, Chand was the President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU). His work as a trade unionists dates as far back as the early 1970s. Chand was also Vice President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and a member of the Presidential Council of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU). His exploits of defending sugar workers of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuco) have been well recorded over the years. Mavendra was also once an

employee of the sugar estates himself. An engineer, Mavendra credits his days of working in the yard with his dad for leading him down his chosen career path. “He taught me a lot about electrical things, plumbing, and that’s what gave me the direction to pursue it at this level,” Mavendra shares. Mavendra did an apprenticeship programme at the estates’ Port Mourant Training School, and served over two years at GuySuco’s Wales Estate on the West Bank as a Mechanic, before pursuing higher education. Aside from being a trade unionist, Chand was also a well-regarded politician, serving as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the PPP/C since 1992. A resident of La Grange, Komal was his party’s representative for the Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara region in the last Parliament. He was also a Justice of Peace and Commissioner of Oaths to Affidavits, and a national awardee, being bestowed with the Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH). Mavendra said being a politician’s child in no way meant that life was any easier for him and his sibling, not with a father like Komal. “For me personally, he was a stern individual never wavering from his principles. What he believed in it didn’t matter if you were his child or how close to him you were, what is wrong is wrong, he did not go out of his way to say this is my child and I must protect them,” Mavendra said.

Gov’t pulls ‘Purcill’ hand sanitiser off market --GA-FDD test reveals product’s alcohol percentage below stipulated strength THE Director of the Food and Drug Department, along with the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GAFDD) on Thursday announced the immediate recall of the Purcill brand of hand sanitizer off the local market. This was revealed by Dr. Marlan Cole, Director of the Food and Drug Department, who stated that the Department had received a consumer complaint regarding the sanitizer’s use and efficacy. Following the complaint, Dr. Cole said, a decision was taken by the Department to analyse the product here. “Our excise laboratory on March 26, 2020 issued results which revealed that the percentage alcohol is only 0.53 per cent in the Purcill Brand Hand Sanitizer and not 62 per cent as stated on the label. This is way below the stipulated strength of at least 60 per cent of alcohol as is required for efficacy,” Dr. Cole said, adding that having such a substandard product on the market is in direct violation of the Laws of Guyana’s

Food and Drug Act of 1971 Chapter 34:03 Section III Part 10 (1)

However, the Department’s efforts to effect seizures of this

A close-up of a bottle of ‘Purcill’ hand sanitizer, from the back, and front

and the Food and Drug Regulation of 1977 section 58 (2).

product from the shelves of retail outlets and visits to the alleged

distributors were stymied because of the current situation in the country, hence, consumers are being advised not to use it since the expected results cannot be guaranteed, particularly where the sanitising of hands during this COVID-19 crisis is concerned. Nevertheless, the alleged distributor will be contacted and asked to make immediate contact with the Department. The product is purportedly made in China, as claimed by the label “Made in China” and “Distributed by Congreat Enterprises Inc, Miami, FL-33178 U.S.A.” Manufactures and importers of sanitisers are asked to ensure that the labels of sanitising agents are duly approved by the Department, and to obtain the necessary licence or permit before releasing the product for sale on the local market. Meanwhile, Dr. Cole is advising local consumers to always ensure that the labels of sanitisers in particular declare the percentage of alcohol, as well as the names of all the active ingredients they contain.

Laboratory professionals lauded for fight against COVID-19 PRESIDENT of The Caribbean Association of Medical Technologist (CASMET), Bonaventia Culmer, has applauded the work and efforts of laboratory professionals across the Caribbean amid the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. The virus, she stated, is leaving a trail of fatalities in almost every country that it touches and healthcare workers are in its immediate path. Culmer noted that laboratory professionals remain on the front line of defense in this global fight to save lives. “Whether you are employed as a medical technologist (MT), laboratory technician (MLT), laboratory assistant, phlebotomist, cytologist, histologist or specialist, it is our job at times to collect samples, and always to process and test samples to provide patient results,” she stated. She further urged laboratory staff to remain vigilant and wear their personal protective equipment (PPE) gear at all times. “I urge you to remain vigilant and to observe all international guidelines while practicing standard precautions and transmission-based precautions on all patients and laboratory samples. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is critical at this time. Let’s take extra precautions, with frequent hand-washing and frequent glove removal, with the use of face shields, masks and disposable gowns wherever possible,” she stated. Additionally, Culmer stated that it is critical that laboratory professionals also protect themselves against aerosols and spills and use centrifuges with sealed lids. Culmer further urged private practitioners to rally for the necessary protective gears to safeguard themselves and those who may visit their institution for help. “For private medical laboratories that may not have the necessary PPE’s for this pandemic, I urge you to petition your Ministry of Health to supplement your lab with these items until you receive the appropriate inventory,” she stated. Public and private laboratories, she added, are an essential part of the healthcare system, and as such, laboratory professionals should not be exposed to any patients, during these times, without the proper personal protective equipment. “On behalf of The Caribbean Association of Medical Technologists, I wish to thank all medical laboratory professionals for staying the course and providing the essential services of accurate, timely, quality results to the COVID-19 healthcare teams and to the patients and physicians at large,” she stated.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 10, 2020

Rose Hall businessmen join war on COVID-19

--help ‘Council’ launch sanitization exercise in township, other communities THE Rose Hall business community, through the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCCC), has partnered with the Rose Hall Mayor and Town Council to start a sanitisation exercise in the township and neighbouring communities. The initiative is one of many being undertaken by the CCCC and the township in an effort to help combat COVID-19. The exercise was begun on Wednesday afternoon and will be ongoing. Chamber President Mohamed Raffik told reporters at the start of the exercise that the Chamber’s contribution to the project is to provide the cleaning supplies, while that of the Council is to provide labour and equipment. The exercise began at Rose Hall Market Street and wended its way through

than ever, unity and cooperation are needed in order to tackle this pandemic. He said that the Council has taken a decision to prohibit vendors from selling if they fail to adhere to the safety guidelines such as wearing face masks,

A sink that was installed outside the Rose Hall Market to facilitate hand-washing

At the start of the sanitation exercise in Rose Hall on Wednesday afternoon

various streets in the town, going all the way to Cloud Nine Street in neighbouring Hampshire, and the Port Mourant Market area. According to ‘Chamber’ executive member Poonai Bhigroog, in addition to the sanitization drive, the ‘Chamber’ has also distributed over 1000 masks to all the orphanages within the area, as well as provided those institutions with cleaning supplies and helped to sanitise them. An order has also been placed for 5000 face masks to be sewn so they can be distributed across Central Corentyne. The CCCC has also been sponsoring several live television programmes to help spread awareness and tips on how to protect oneself against COVID-19. Rose Hall Mayor Chatergoon Ramnauth seized the opportunity on Wednesday to thank the Chamber for helping the Council take the fight to COVID-19. He noted that now more

practicing proper hygiene, and maintaining physical distance. “We will give a verbal warning, followed by a written warning,” Ramnauth said. “And if they fail to comply, then we will be forced to suspend them from vending. Most of the vendors are cooperating, but a few are being difficult. Our staff will be on site daily to ensure everyone is complying, and if not, we would take the necessary actions.” OPEN SUNDAY TO FRIDAY The Rose Hall Market is presently operating daily on Sunday to Friday from 06:00hrs to 12:00hrs, but is closed on Saturdays for general sanitization. The stalls and vendors have been appropriately segregated so as to ensure there is a three to six-foot between the vendors. Municipal staff are on site daily, and are helping to ensure patrons are also maintaining physical distance, as

well as washing their hands upon entering the markets. Meanwhile, in light of the recent scaling down of business, the Chamber’s President is appealing to the members of the business community to do whatever

Members of the Central Corentyne Chambers of Commerce and Rose Hall Mayor Chatergoon Ramnauth take a stand against COVID-19

they can to take care of their employees. “I would like members of the business sector to

take care of their employees during this period; help them to get to the end of this, especially at this critical time,”

Raffik said. “Because, at the end of this, these are the individuals whose services we would need.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 10, 2020

Guyanese in NY find novel way to say goodbye

–– to countrymen lost to COVID-19, with help of Guyana-NY Consulate

AT A time when strict social distancing guidelines are in place worldwide, the Guyana Consulate-General in New York has created a means for Guyanese to publicly pay tribute to loved ones lost to the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. The tributes are being

shared on a Facebook page named ‘Honoring Guyanese Lost to Coronavirus’, and has already received an outpouring of tributes, support and condolences to the family and friends of those highlighted. “The Consulate-General of the Co-operative Repub-

lic of Guyana in New York joins in expressing sincere condolences to Guyanese in the diaspora who have lost loved ones to the coronavirus. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of sorrow,” Consul-General Barbara Atherly said in a

message. “This page has been created for families, if you so desire, to add the name of your dearly departed, in order for us to pay tribute,” she added. Businessman, Jim Bacchus of Jim Bacchus Travel Service, which operated in

Businessman Jim Bacchus of Jim Bacchus Travel Service in his younger days

61-year-old MTA bus operator, Oliver Cyrus

Georgetown and New Amsterdam, received tributes from his family and veteran journalist and playwright, Francis Quamina Farrier. “I have known Jim for about 60 years. My condolences to his family, friends and colleagues,” Farrier said as he shared a photograph from the last time he visited Bacchus. Meanwhile, his family stated: “My grandfather was a great man; loved and respected by all who knew him. And we know that this heavy loss brings a great sorrow, shared by us all. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, there are circumstantial considerations we must evaluate, and we ask that you bear with us, and grant us privacy as we navigate these terrible times. We will share information regarding services in his remembrance as soon as we can. Until then, stay safe, and remember him fondly.” Tributes were also paid to Vishnu Baichu, called Paramdeo Baichu, and his eldest son, Vijay Baichu, who died one day apart

from COVID-19 in New York. Recognised, too, was 61-year-old Guyana-born Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) bus operator, Oliver Cyrus, who lived in Brooklyn, New York. Known as “Brother Cyrus”, he worked out of the Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority, a subsidiary of the MTA.

Charles Greeman’s beloved daughter, Nicola

Georgeanna Greaves-Gentle

WELL LIKED “Cyrus was well liked by all his co-workers, and there is a somber mood at the depot. MTA head of buses, Craig Cipiano said Cyrus was loved by his friends and colleagues,” the post stated. Also losing her life to the virus was Earline Austin, a medical doctor who was in her 60s. She formerly resided at Republic Avenue in Linden. “Gone but not forgotten. Please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers!” the message read. Tributes went out to

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 10, 2020

Frankie Nathaniel Armstrong, called “Powers”

Brooklyn Academy of Music mechanical engineer, Ronald Hunter (first right) with his family first captain of the Pele FC, Wendell “Gentle Giant” Manifold, who passed away due to cardiac arrest caused by the coronavirus at the Brooklyn Downstate Hospital on March 25. The 65-year-old was remembered as a former student of Charlestown Secondary School and a six-footer who left Guyana in 1974 on a football scholarship to Clemson University, in South Carolina. He

as “Soap”, Romanee Kalicharran said the 90-yearold was a well-respected elder of the family. “He was extremely knowledgeable, and loved his ancient Indian traditions, Hindi language and Hindu scriptures/song (Ramayana, Chowtaal etc.),” Romanee said, adding: “His contribution to society, strength through life’s challenges, and jovial and witty nature will be forever

Vishnu Baichu, called ‘Paramdeo Baichu’, and his eldest son, Vijay was also hailed as the best defender to have ever worn the national colours. The family of now deceased Brooklyn Academy of Music employee Ronald Hunter fondly referred to him as “Brother” and “Friend”, saying in the tribute that his death has brought them much sadness. For Charles Greeman, losing his beloved daughter was a terrible blow. “It’s the saddest day of my life, losing my firstborn to this terrible virus,” he said. “Nicola, you will always be missed, and you will be in a safe place for eternity.” GOODBYE ‘SOAP’! In tribute to her grandfather’s brother, the late Brijmohan Ramdayal, popularly known

etched in our hearts and memories.” The Guyana Cultural Association of New York parted ways with William “Billy” Braithwaite, who they fondly recalled as being a friend and an ardent supporter. Other tributes went out to Abdul Razack; Kempton Christopher called “Burnham”; Mr. Bramo, former owner of Liberty Express Restaurant; Mrs. Fogerty; Saraswati Niranjan, called “Mona”, who was in her 50s; Georgeanna Greaves-Gentle; and 57-year-old Frankie Nathaniel Armstrong, called “Powers”, who was hailed as a humanitarian and dear friend. The state of New York has had over 80,000 coronavirus cases and 4,260 deaths since the pandemic descended on its shores.

Brijmohan Ramdayal, popularly known as “Soap”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 10, 2020

Man shot dead by police during alleged robbery

FORTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD Mark McLean, called “Boogie”, was, on April 4, shot and killed by a police constable who is attached to the Force’s Intelligence Unit.

The police are alleging that McLean of Toucan Drive, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was shot by the constable during an alleged robbery, on the day in question.

According to a police report, about 18:15hrs, on April 4, the police constable and three other males were at Stevedore Housing Scheme, Georgetown, seated under a shed playing cards.

The 9 mm beretta pistol which was retrieved from the crime scene

Mark McLean called “Boogie”

At that time, it is alleged that Harris rode up on a bicycle and stopped about five feet before the shed. He dismounted the bicycle, drew a pistol from his pants waist and pointed same at the said four men, demanding the gold chains they were wearing around their necks. However, when he turned to the constable, the law man drew his service firearm (a taurus pistol) and discharged four rounds at Harris. The police were alerted, and, upon arrival, they observed Harris lying motionless on the ground and a beretta 9 mm pistol next to him. Harris was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The 9 mm beretta pistol # PIE 24 2 Z was examined. The police have managed to retrieve statements from the three men including one from the cousin of the deceased, who also told the court that Harris was armed with a gun. However, the relatives of the dead man are claiming that there is a cover-up by the police and are calling on the relevant authorities for justice. The family explained that they are dissatisfied and frustrated at the way in which the police are handling the investigation. They also claimed that they have audio and video footage of the incident, which indicate that McLean was wrongfully shot by the police. “He was murdered! Boogie had his troubled past but he won’t rob nobody… everybody in the village knows him and would say the same thing,” a relative told Guyana Chronicle. In 2019, McLean was arrested and charged for cannabis trafficking. He was allegedly nabbed with 211 grams of cannabis inside his house. The relative noted that the police are covering up for its own since McLean and the police constable had an old grievance. It is also alleged that McLean had dated a relative of the police constable.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 10, 2020

Shipping Association, security services not in support of PSC petition

THE Shipping Association of Guyana is the most recent business to have come out against the Private Sector Commission (PSC) for the publication of a statement which does not align with the views of the association. The association took ill with the PSC’s statement titled ‘Business, religious, labour petitions Inter-American Human Rights Commission to avert political disaster in Guyana,’ in which the commission advocated for pressure to be put on Guyanese authorities to commence a recount of votes cast in the 2020 General and Regional Elections. At the time, the matter was before the court and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) was awaiting the ruling of the court prior to its decisions on moving forward. It is only the commission that has the Constitutional right to conduct national elections in the country. “The Shipping Association of Guyana (SAG) wishes to advise that we did not participate in that statement nor did the SAG agree for its name to be included in the publication of same,” the association said on Wednesday. The PSC Chairman, Captain Gerald ‘Gerry’ Gouveia, had placed on the petition the name of 27 organisations. Earlier this week, Kalibur Security, which forms a part of the Guyana Association of Private Security Organisations (GAP-

PSC Chairman, Captain Gerald ‘Gerry’ Gouveia

SO), also stated that it did relay to the PSC its non-endorsement of the letter to the Inter-American Human Rights Commission. “Kalibur Security was never consulted by the Private Sector Commission to be part of this mischievous letter signed by Gerry Gouveia. I spoke to the Operation Manager for Sentinel Security and he doesn’t know about it. He told me that he spoke to Mr. John Mortley, who is the president of GAPSO and Mr. Mortley said that he doesn’t know how GAPSO’s name could be used in that letter and that he’s taking action to ensure that the public is informed that GAPSO was never really part of this venture,” said owner and managing director of Kalibur Security, Col. George Gomes. He referred to Gouveia as a “PPP surrogate” which is only seeking to bring Guyana

Managing director of Kalibur Security, Col. George Gomes

Shipping Association of Guyana

into chaos for their own political benefit. He said: “The Private Sector under Gerry Gouveia is a mouth piece for the PPP and as the Managing Director of Kalibur Security, there is no way I would ever entertain being associated with any venture started by Gerry

Gouveia and the Private Sector Commission. You cannot use the name of an organisation of which my company is a apart without us agreeing for that to be done; without us being consulted.” It is unclear how many other organisations may not have

given their endorsement for the letter. This is not the most recent hot-water fiasco for the PSC --- which has been accused of being pro-opposition ---, as the commission received public backlash on Monday when it switched gear and referred to the conduct of a national recount as “a waste of time”. The statement came in a release as the collective view of the PSC but just days earlier, the likes of Gouveia and other private sector members such as Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer, Kit Nascimento and Deodat Indar, had called numerous times for a national recount. “Plain and simple. Count every single vote in every single box in every single region in a transparent manner under the supervision of international and local observers,” the PSC head wrote on his Facebook page on April 5,

2020 and above an article from the Guyana Times captioned ‘Every vote must be counted for transparent, credible results – Canadian diplomat’. Responding to the disparity on Tuesday, Gouveia told the media that he was in favour of the national recount but some others apart of the PSC are not. Even so, the statement sent out referring to the exercise as a “waste of time” did not indicate that it was not a collective view of the commission. Questions have now been raised about the motive and authors behind the switch. Responding to the criticisms on Wednesday, the PSC ---- in another collective statement --- argued that all other parties, including GECOM, had no contention with the votes counted in other Regions. “The Private Sector Commission reiterates its position that it has absolutely no interest in which of the contesting political parties is elected to govern Guyana,” the PSC said. “The PSC recognises that it is the duty and responsibility of GECOM to administer a recount of the election results in whatever manner and by whatever method it chooses to do so, within the law, with complete transparency, under local and international observation, but without further delay, certainly, not another five (5) months. The PSC will support GECOM in doing so.”

SBM projects could face COVID-19 delays

-- Liza Unity FPSO in Singapore yard affected SBM OFFSHORE, awarded contracts to construct, install, lease and operate the Liza Unity Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO), will likely face delays in some of its projects given the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic has affected its operations. In a company update, on Wednesday, the company announced that a number of its crewmembers around the world have tested positive for the virus and have been transported back to shore. It said that while crew rotations have been extended for those offshore, crew changes have become more difficult due to travel restrictions in countries where the company has operations or crewmembers are located. The Liza Unity, set to be Guyana’s second FPSO, saw progress first taking place at a construction yard in China, with the construction of SMB Offshore’s first generic hull as a part of the company’s innovative

Fast4Ward® programme. The hull was delivered to the construction yard in Singapore in January 2020 for the construction of topside modules and other upgrades. “Since last week, the authorities suspended activities at the yard in Singapore for a period of two weeks. Some delays in project execution will be unavoidable. The company is in close contact with clients and business partners to manage the situation, adjust execution planning, and, where appropriate create mitigation plans,” SBM stated in the update. The company said that the health and safety of its staff, contractors and their families, remain priority and it will work to ensure safe operations across the Company’s activities at the same time. It has organised a dedicated task force to monitor the situation at all company locations across the globe, on a daily basis, and continues to

follow advice from the relevant authorities and medical experts. SBM stated: “In SBM Offshore’s office locations, most staff work from home and activities continue. Staff are updated on a regular basis and are supported with advice to help them achieve a healthy balance between professional and personal lives. Activity and operations therefore continue, although with some incremental expenditure to keep operations running safely. In this regard, measures have been taken to postpone non-vital programs to reserve cash to help offset these impacts.” Liza Unity FPSO will be designed to produce 220,000 barrels of oil per day with a storage capacity of 2 million barrels in comparison to the Liza Destiny FPSO with 120,000 barrels of oil per day with 1.6 million barrels storage capacity. Under the contracts, SBM Offshore will lease and operate the Liza

A depiction of the Liza Destiny FPSO (credit: ExxonMobil)

Unity FPSO for up to two years. The awarding of the contracts followed the completion of a number of frontend engineering studies; receipt of government approvals and the final investment decision on the Liza Phase Two project by ExxonMobil and block co-venturers. Meanwhile, the Liza Unity FPSO design is based on SBM Offshore’s industry leading Fast4WardTM pro-

gramme which will incorporate the Company’s newly built, multi-purpose hull combined with several standardized topside modules. The FPSO will have associated gas treatment capacity of 400 million cubic feet per day and water injection capacity of 250,000 barrels per day. It will be spread-moored in water depth of about 1,600 meters and able to store some 2 million barrels of crude oil.

‘Aim to thrive, not just survive’

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 10, 2020

...persons must adapt a lifestyle that will hone financial stability, freedom

By Gabriella Chapman IT is many people’s desire to be financially free; not having to worry about insufficient funds to last through the month, or not having to live from paycheck to paycheck every month or week, and even to be able to live at ease in the time of a potential economic crisis. This desire however, can only be fulfilled if the right lifestyle is adapted. This lifestyle is one in which Management and Leadership Specialist, Rosh Khan, advises that each Guyanese should start adapting, for the betterment of their lives, and the prospects of Guyana’s economy. With the coronavirus threatening lives and businesses, and a prolonged election, Khan said this is the most suitable time for persons, since they now have a lot of free time, to create a lifestyle that will transform their lives for the better. The lifestyle that has to be adapted is one that is proactive instead of reactive. “People need to focus on what they can do and what skills they can build during this time at home. That’s the key moving forward. We’re all leaders. We may not lead tens of thousands of people, but we all lead ourselves. And there is something we refer to as the ‘R and I’. You know a leader by their R and I; by their Resourcefulness

and Initiatives. Persons can create and maintain a schedule. If you’re not careful, you can have a whole lot of time in front of you, but you’re not being strategic about how you’re spending that time. We all have that power to decide how we’re going to act, and that goes back to being proactive,” Khan said. General Manager of Franklin Covey, Dennon Lewis, also shared his sen-

strategies, create means of passive income. Things that you don’t have to do. You create it, start it up, and you leave it, and there’s income coming in. So these are some of the things that cushion any event of this nature, if it is to happen again. We all go through different seasons of life, collectively as the globe, and individually. So this might be something that is happening on an international

President of the Master Class Institute, Rosh Khan

General Manager of Franklin Covey, Dennon Lewis

timent on the topic of living productive lives. He said that people have to start thinking of ways to create passive income. “So instead of having income that only requires you to physically be there, or physically do something in order to achieve that, how can you, through various

scale, but we all go through summer, winter and fall in our own everyday lives. So it is important for us to take this time to look at these income generating strategies, and then use these strategies so that we end up better off, coming out from that end of the tunnel,” Lewis said.

With putting certain practices as part of your daily lives, and generating several streams of income, Khan said that this will eventually allow for businesses to emerge and this will put a person in the economic market to contribute more to the overall economy of the country. “And the economy is built on small businesses. And if small businesses falter, imagine what that is going to do for the greater economy. How does the government have funds to do it’s projects? Taxes. What do you pay taxes on? Businesses. And people pay taxes. Businesses, specifically, pay taxes on the profits. So if we don’t have a lot of profits coming

in, then we don’t have a lot of taxes coming in, which means that the government has less money to spend on projects. So it is very important that more people create businesses, and these businesses should do everything they can to not just survive, but ultimately, to thrive. That should be the end goal,” he posited. Advising further on the individual’s lifestyle to achieve financial stability, Lewis said that people have to understand what their financial capacity is on a monthly basis. “A lot of people don’t know how much money they make on a monthly basis. They need to know that, and how much necessary expenses they have on a monthly basis (essential things). And once you know these two, then you can see what’s the difference between the amount I have coming in, and the amount I dear sure need to spend, and what’s the amount that’s left. And what people often do, is just pay the bills and then spend the rest. Or sometimes pay and spend in between and hope that it works out. The key is to develop a lifestyle so that you live at a max, 80 per cent of your overall income. So that way, at any point in time you will be saving just around 20 per cent. That’s a good place to start. Some persons evolve to live on 50 per cent of their income, and save 50 per cent, or even invest 50 per cent. So first get to a space in which you can understand and live

by that 80 per cent, and then look for ways to develop that 20 per cent,” Lewis advised. Additionally, he said it is important to teach children financial literacy at a very early age. “So a lot of us don’t necessarily subscribe to the notion of a money allowance, but we do give our children some top ups from time to time. One of the things we came across that works really well, is that at an early age, your kids bring out their money into three parcels. One could be savings, one for spending, and the other for investments. And in doing this at an early age, what you’ll be doing is giving your kids a road map/ blueprint that they can use in the future because, if they’ve been taught this very early on, they grow with that habit and do the same for their monthly income. In fact, if we are all to adapt to that mindset, I believe that we all will be more financially sound, we will all be more financially stable, and we can then continue to grow and expand,” he said. Citing that as the key to future economic strides, Khan said that in addition to teaching children how to spend money, and about financial literacy, they ought to be taught how to be self-sufficient as well. “Let your skills pay your bills. It is time to expose children to the amazing opportunities online, and they’re a lot that have opened up for free. Libraries open up at no charge, this is a nice time to read and expand their minds, and learn a skill that the market needs. Even for adults, because children will model the behaviour of the adults… It is time we stop being problem identifiers and start being solution providers. Identify a problem you can build a skill set for,” he said. With economical thinking people, thriving economic lifestyles, thriving businesses, in the time of hardship, persons, businesses, and the overall country, will not be vastly affected, since practices have been implemented in our lifestyles to survive times of hardship.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 10, 2020

Gov’t unveils updated emergency measures

... 15 new businesses added to essential services list THE National COVID-19 Task Force has updated the emergency measures set in effect from April 3, to include over 15 additional categories of essential services and a number of new services which can remain open during the daily 06:00 hours to 17:00 hours period. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo had told the newspaper, on Wednesday, that the National COVID-19 Task Force has been reviewing the previous measures to cater for other services which can be deemed as essential. The preamble to the initial list of measures had made it clear that it could be terminated, extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Public Health, after an assessment of the conditions. New essential services now

include the judiciary, the parliament, the diplomatic corps, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), National Emergency Operations Center, security services including private security, telecommunication providers including internet, telephone and call centre operators, media houses, broadcasting and the Guyana National Printers Ltd. Considered essential in the areas of manufacturing, transportation and shipping are port operations limited to bulk marking operations and loading and offloading only of marine vessels, petroleum vessels, ships, bulk and containerized vessels; port logistics and freight services where their workers are engaged in the construction of health care facilities; transportation of dry goods and beverages for whole-

sale delivery; workers necessary to keep furnaces and kilns operating safely in manufacturing operations that are not listed as essential. The updated emergency measures also included several new categories to cater to the extractive sector which is one of Guyana’s greatest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contributor. These essential services include electricity and energy services including the oil and gas sector and those who provide services in the oil and gas sector; businesses that ensure global continuity of supply of mining and petroleum materials and products (eg. metals and minerals such as bauxite, gold and diamond); mining and petroleum development operations, production and processing; mineral and

Wismar Hospital identified as isolation facility for COVID-19 patients

Regional Health Officer, Dr. Pansy Armstrong (left), makes a point as Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr. Karen Boyle (center), and matron of the Mackenzie Hospital listen attentively

REGION 10 health officials have identified the Wismar Hospital in Linden as the facility which will accommodate patients in need of isolation due to contraction of the coronavirus (COVID-19). To prevent an overload at the hospital, three of the services currently being offered -- pediatric, maternal and child health and tuberculosis -- will be moved over to the Mackenzie Hospital. Health officials in the region believe that Region 10 has the capacity to manage treatment and containment of the virus but certain additional measures must be put in place at the Wismar Hospital. In a release to the media, it was noted that Ministry of Public Health Officials, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr. Karen Boyle, and Emergency Medicine Specialist, Dr. Tracey Bovell, visited with Regional Health Officer, Dr Pansy Armstrong aided by Medical Superintendents, Dr. Joseph London and Dr. Steve Mark. The regional team, accompanied by the officials from Georgetown, toured the facility where it was revealed that 14 rooms, along with other facilities, will be installed in the

first phase to aid with patient isolation. Dr. Bovell, who toured the facility, expressed satisfaction with the standards and readiness of the region. She stressed that patients being placed at one location would allow attending medical staff to be more effective and efficient in administering care. She also identified the systems to be implemented to ensure that those in isolation are properly cared for while ensuring that the rest of the hospital can operate without any interference and/ or interruption. Meanwhile, Dr. Armstrong reminded the public that the hospital will continue to render several services as COVID-19 is just an additional service for the time being. “What we are doing is to ensure that any of the patients in Linden that has to be isolated would be isolated at Wismar; however, we want to reiterate that it is not a COVID hospital that we have, but rather providing isolation for those that might need to be isolated before being transferred,” she clarified. Meanwhile, Dr. Bovell urged the regional officials to ensure that the recommendations made by her team are adopted as quickly as possible.

Dr. Boyle, who also met with the health officials attached to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and other officials from the Region, disclosed that the first phase would be ready within one week’s time. Both Dr. Boyle and Dr. Bovell believe that COVID-19 is a fight which requires all hands on deck. The DCMO commended the united position of the three top medical officials of the region, stating that it would certainly advance health within the region. She also commended the assistance offered by the Regional Executive Officer (REO), Orrin Gordon, and team despite the limited finances. “We are very happy and satisfied with the progress that was made and the developments achieved as, while we are from the Ministry of Public Health, it is the regional health authorities who will have to decide on what systems and measures they put within their region. However, we are here primarily to just offer advice and guidance. Ultimately, the decisions rest with the regional officials who will decide what is best for their region,” she said.

petroleum exploration and development; mining and petroleum supply and services that support sully chains in the mining and petroleum industries; business and operations that engage in the cutting, processing and preparation of trees into lumber and ensure continuity of supply of forestry products; Meanwhile, water supply services have been altered to include the collection, storage, purification and distribution of water for public use. Under the category of solid waste management, sewerage and janitorial services ---- live-in domestic workers have been included. Where the Ministry had previously listed factories, manufacturers or distributors of food supplies and essential goods including medical supplies, it noted that this category also includes producers of rice, sugar, poultry and fish. There was a minor change made to the restriction on social activities to make an exception for visitation to a creek, beach or river only if the person is residing or working there. Along with the previous services which were permitted to remain open daily from 06:00 hours to 17:00 hours, the category of banks has been updated

to include other financial institutions defined in the Financial Institution Act, Chapter 85:03 as well as remittance services and their support services. Included too are bulk food stores; funeral homes; operation, inspection, repair and maintenance of essential services including vehicles, vessels and aircraft and traffic signal maintenance; automotive repair and maintenance facilities that provide direct support to essential businesses and services necessary for the maintenance of residences, including plumbing, electrical and extermination services. The measures now state that where a Village Council, as defined by the Amerindian Act ---Cap. 29:01 --- has determined that a public health threat exists in relation to any mining or forestry operation conducted in accordance with the highlighted essential services, the Village Council shall recommend to the Minister of Public Health that the operation be discontinued. In addition to previous guidelines, any services deemed as essential or any public service, statutory bodies and state-owned enterprises, must require persons to wear a face mask when inside of the establishment. The need for distance markers has not been made mandatory but all staff are to maintain phys-

ical distance of at least six feet in or outside their establishment and determine the number of persons that may be permitted into the building based on the need for distancing. When it comes to domestic travel, the Kurupukari Crossing shall be closed except during the period 06:00 hours to 17:00 hours, and only to facilitate the passage of essential services and supplies. This is in addition to the four other stipulations under domestic travel. The imposed curfew between 18:00 hours and 06:00 hours and all other aforementioned measures remains in effect. Any person who fails to comply with any of these measures commits an offence under section 152 of the Public Health Ordinance and is liable on summary conviction to the penalty provided under that section. The Prime Minister has stated in the past that he believes that the measures in place whereby persons in non-essential areas are required to stay at home will result in health security and safety for Guyanese. He has stated that the order is not meant to “lockdown” the productive sectors but is aimed at protecting the local population while containing the spread of the virus.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 10, 2020

West Indies tour to England looking ‘less and less likely’ (BBC) - The staging of England’s home Tests against West Indies in June is looking “less and less likely”, according to director of cricket Ashley Giles. There will be no professional cricket in the UK until at least May 28 because of the coronavirus crisis, while the first Test of the three-match series at The Oval is due to begin on June 4. “We have to look at alternatives,” said Giles. “We are looking at how far back into the summer we can push cricket.” Australia’s Test series in Bangladesh, scheduled to be played in June, was postponed yesterday. After the West Indies series, England are due to play limited-overs matches against Australia, Tests and Twenty20s against Pakistan, and three one-day internationals against Ireland. The last day of international cricket in the home summer is currently scheduled to be September 15. “We’ve got to look at trying to fulfil those current fixtures, just in a different place, if we can,” said former England spinner Giles. “We have really good relations with these boards and we’re doing whatever we can to look at scenarios where we can push our cricket back, which would give us the best chance of playing as much international cricket as possible.” The prospect of separate England Test and limited-overs teams has been raised, with wicketkeeper Jos Buttler saying it would be possible to field two different teams at the same time. Giles said it was “feasible”, but that it was more likely that matches of different formats would take place on consecutive days. “You could have a Test match running and play a T20 or an ODI the day before or the day after a Test match,” he said. The 47-year-old said England would look at all options for getting the players matchfit after the nationwide lockdown, including playing an intra-squad match, similar to how Australia warmed up for last summer’s Ashes series. Sussex chief executive Rob Andrew said county cricket would still be played in the final month of the season if that is the only time it is safe to do so. “It’s a blank piece of paper. Nothing is ruled in and nothing is ruled out,” he said. “We would love to be playing cricket June, July, August and September. “But even if we could only get September, we would still want to play some cricket this year. As ridiculous as that may sound, that is the situation we are faced with.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 10, 2020

F1 could host championship from October (BBC) - FORMULA 1 could still hold a world championship this year even if the season cannot start until October, managing director Ross Brawn says. Brawn said F1 was looking at closeddoor races as a way to start the season once the coronavirus crisis eases and "every permutation is being discussed". F1 must run eight races for a season to be classed as a world championship. "If you wanted a drop-dead point

(deadline), it would be October," Brawn said. "But then there's always the possibility we could run into next year, and that's being explored - could we stray into January to finish the season." Brawn, talking to Sky, said there was no point starting the season unless it could be kept going and pointed out that races on permanent circuits were easier to re-schedule than those on temporary

Races could be held behind closed doors tracks such as street circuits. The Monaco Grand Prix has already been cancelled permanently this year, while the other eight races called off so far have only been postponed, with the hope of rescheduling them later on. Brawn said he believed the 2020 season could include anywhere between eight and 19 races and that plans for how to approach a season were changing almost every day. "It's a very dynamic and volatile situation," he said. An F1 spokesman said Brawn views October as the final possible starting date for a season that contains eight races and finishes before the end of the year. To get 19 races into the schedule, the season would have to start in July with the likelihood of running into January

2021. "We're looking at the logistics of a closed race, how we would get the people there, how we would protect them, how we would make it safe," Brawn said. "We could have a very enclosed environment where the teams come in on charters (flights), we channel them into the circuit, we make sure everyone's tested, cleared, there's no risk to anyone and we have a race without spectators. "That's not great but I think it's still better than no racing at all. "I think we have to remember there are millions of people that follow the sport seated at home ... to be able to put on a sport and entertain people would be a huge bonus with this crisis we have."

‘Remembering John Lewis’ Dear Editor, I was deeply shocked to learn of the death of John Lewis. Long before I became President of the Rugby Union, John served for some ten years as President and, before that, played for and captained Guyana’s Rugby Team. He was, as far as I know, the longest-serving president of the Rugby Union, having served for ten years, then again one year later. During my tenure, John was a tower of strength, serving, if my memory serves me correctly, for one year as my

Vice-president and then in the thankless task as Match Secretary. He also served for some years as Team Manager of our enormously successful Sevens Team. On my retirement, John succeeded me as president and, thereafter, continued to serve in various executive positions until the time of his death. I know that whenever rugby resumes, the Guyana Rugby Football Union will have lost its greatest stalwart. See you in Rugby heaven John! Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento Former President GRFU

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 10, 2020

Cummings backs IPL behind doors

(BBC) - Australia bowler Pat Cummins says he would support the Indian Premier League (IPL) being played behind closed doors if it is not safe for fans to attend matches. The IPL season was post-

poned from March 29 until April 15 because of coronavirus, but is expected to be further delayed or cancelled with India’s lockdown set to be extended. Asked whether he would support games without fans,

IPL history. The 26-year-old said he was “super hopeful” the tournament will go ahead but that he would be “surprised if it happened soon”. “The first priority is safety but the second one is getting back to normality, finding that balance,” he said. “If that unfortunately means no crowds for a while,

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday April 10, 2020) COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Commandur Rangachari-5/107 (Delhi, 1948-49) (2) Prior Jones-5/85 (Mumbai, 1948/49)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) What is the highest individual Test score made by an Indian player against the WI to date? (2) What is the highest score made by a WI player in a Test against India to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Cummins was the leading wicket-taker in last summer’s Ashes series between England and Australia with 29. Cummins told the BBC’s Stumped podcast: “Of course - whatever it takes to try and get cricket up and play those big events safely.” Cricket in the UK has been postponed until at least May 28, with England’s first game scheduled to start on June 4. Cummins, the top-ranked bowler in Test cricket and named one of Wisden’s five cricketers of the year this week, has a £1.7M contract with the Kolkata Knight Riders, making him the most expensive overseas player in

Fox executives, Full Play Group SA plead not guilty to bribery charges (REUTERS) - Two former 21st Century Fox executives and a South American sports marketing company pleaded not guilty yesterday to criminal charges in New York in the long-running corruption probe surrounding FIFA, the world governing body for soccer. The former Fox executives, Hernan Lopez and Carlos Martinez, and Full Play Group SA entered their pleas to crimes including wire fraud and money-laundering conspiracy at an arraignment before U.S. District Judge Pamela Chen in Brooklyn. U.S. prosecutors said the defendants and co-conspirators bribed soccer officials to secure media and marketing rights to various soccer tournaments, using shell companies and sham consulting contracts to hide the scheme. The charges were detailed on Monday in an amended indictment in which prosecutors for the first time said representatives for Russia and Qatar separately bribed FIFA officials to secure hosting rights for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Bond was set at $15M for Lopez and Martinez, who will also face nightly curfews. While prosecutors called Lopez a substantial flight risk, with strong ties to Argentina, they did not demand he be jailed. “It doesn’t appear realistic that anyone’s going anywhere,” Chen said during the arraignment, which was conducted by phone

because of the coronavirus pandemic. The charges, including over the World Cups, are part of a sprawling FIFA corruption probe unveiled in May 2015. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said after the indictment became public that Russia won its 2018 hosting rights “completely legally. It is in no way linked to any bribes”. Organisers of the 2022 World Cup denied the new allegations, saying there was no evidence Qatar won the tournament unethically or by flouting FIFA bidding rules. Prosecutors accused Lopez and Martinez of scheming to bribe officials at South America’s soccer federation CONMEBOL to win rights for that continent’s top club tournament, Copa Libertadores. They were also accused of using bribes to help Fox obtain inside information about bidding for U.S. broadcast rights for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Fox paid $400M for the English-language rights to both tournaments in 2011. Walt Disney Co bought most of 21st Century Fox in 2019. Disney is not a defendant. Prosecutors said Full Play, which is based in Buenos Aires but incorporated in Uruguay, targeted officials at CONMEBOL and North American federation CONCACAF to win rights for events including Copa Libertadores and World Cup qualifying matches.

then that is that, but hopefully people can watch at home on TV. “It would have a totally different feel about it. When people ask about the difference between playing cricket in India the first thing is the crowd. “They scream every single ball whether it’s a six or a wicket - it’s the same noise ev-

ery ball - so that atmosphere is something that we love about playing in India. “It will be missed in the short term if it can’t happen, but I have no doubt it will be a great event even if it has to be played without crowds.” The IPL, which is set to feature 60 20-over matches, was originally scheduled to finish on May 24.

Leg-spinner Hayden Walsh

(CMC) – Novice West Indies leg-spinning all-rounder, Hayden Walsh, says he has embraced head coach Phil Simmons as a ‘father figure’, following his international debut for the regional side last year. “He’s like a father and I’d say he’s like a father-coach,” Walsh told the Observer here. “He’s stern when he needs to be stern, he jokes around when it’s time to joke around and when things are not right he puts them into place, so it’s like when your parents or father sees things are out of place and they would put them in place.

“I think he has been a real father figure for all of us, even the big stars and stuff, so I really enjoy playing under him.” The 27-year-old’s debut for West Indies last November coincided with Phil Simmons return for his second stint as head coach of the embattled side. Walsh’s graduation to maroon colours came following an outstanding season for Barbados Tridents in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), when he topped the tournament wicket-tally with 22 for the eventual champions.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 10, 2020

Walsh cites Simmons as ‘father figure’ Instructively, Simmons also served as Tridents head coach, overseeing the franchise’s first success in the tournament since 2014, following several lean seasons. “I really enjoyed the Tridents setup last year with the whole coaching staff and the team and everyone just gelled ,,,,” said Walsh, who was born in the US Virgin Islands and has already represented United States at international level. “And even in the times where we looked as if we were going to go out quite miserably we still stuck together and fought it out to win

the championship. So I think that was the most rewarding part of being part of the setup.” Walsh has had a decent start to life at the top level, averaging 33 with the bat from 10 matches and taking 12 wickets at 27 runs apiece. His unbeaten 46 under pressure against Ireland helped West Indies win the second ODI in Bridgetown last January and take the three-match series. His T20 form has been unflattering, however, with a mere 11 wickets from 16 appearances, with an economy rate of eight runs per over.

Harper lauds ‘white-ball batting’ (CMC) – Convenor of selectors, Roger Harper, has hailed the improved batting of the white-ball unit as one of the positives for West Indies in recent months. The former Guyana and West Indies off-spinner said the return of “older, wiser heads” had also brought a new level of effectiveness to the bowling, especially at the death stages of the innings. “If you look for one thing that has been relatively consistent is the way the team has batted,” Harper told i95 FM here. “I think we’ve seen some consistency in the white-ball team both in the 50-over game and the T20 game and that of course is a plus. “We have identified that our bowling at times hasn’t been as sharp and smart as it needed to be but with the inclusion of some of the older, wiser heads – more experienced from a bowling perspective

especially at the end of the innings – we’ve seen some improvement there as well.” “Just as we saw some gains, we have this break; so again we will have to regroup when this (coronavirus pandemic) is over and come again but I think generally we have seen some improvement, and it’s just a matter now of turning those improvements now in terms of performance into consistent positive results.” West Indies flopped spectacularly at last year’s 50-over World Cup in England, when they won just twice in nine outings to finish ninth of 10 teams and record their worst-ever performance at the showpiece. The performance prompted a shakeup in the white-ball team, with Jason Holder and Carlos Brathwaite being ditched as captain of the ODI and Twenty20 sides respectively and the previously exiled Kieron Pollard

seen inconsistency, winning three of their last six Tests inside the last 12 months. Harper, though, praised the victory over minnows Afghanistan last November, when the two teams met in the historic inaugural one-off Test in India. “We played one Test match and we managed to win that Test match and I think we shouldn’t underestimate that result,” he pointed out. “I know it was against Afghanistan but playing against Afghanistan in those conditions would not be easy and we must take some credit for that.” West Indies are preparing to deWest Indies chief selector Roger Harper fend their title at the T20 World Cup scheduled to be staged in Australia returning to take over as skipper. Since then, West Indies’ form from October 18 to November 15. However, the outbreak of the has remained volatile, winning seven of 12 ODIs and just five of 11 COVID-19 pandemic has halted all cricket globally and put in doubt Twenty20 Internationals. The Windies’ Test form has also the showpiece.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 10, 2020

CBC tournament likely before Olympics in 2021 ... FIBA makes calendar changes THE Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) tournament, of which Guyana are the defending champions, is likely to be held in 2021, just before the Olympic Games, following a video conference meeting yesterday with FIBA’s Executive Committee, following which, several changes were made. The most recent Central Board meeting, which occurred on March 13, confirmed the suspension of all FIBA competitions and also delegated the FIBA Executive Committee to make any necessary adjustments to the FIBA Calendar initially approved by the Central Board in 2015, following the change of dates to the Tokyo Olympic Games. FIBA welcomed last week the confirmation of the revised dates for Tokyo 2020, July 23 - August 8, 2021, and thanked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for its collaborative and timely resolution to this complex situation. After careful analysis of the possible scenarios and following the recommendations of the Regional Offices and of the Competitions Commission, the FIBA Executive Committee pointed out that the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments will be played in the period between June 22 and July 4, 2021 (exact dates pending IOC approval). The FIBA EuroBasket 2021 and the FIBA AmeriCup 2021 are rescheduled to the period between September 1 and 18, 2022. In order to limit workload for players and maximise the opportunities within the calendar, national teams participating in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers will play the two games originally scheduled for September 2022 at the end of August 2022, during the preparation phase of the FIBA EuroBasket and FIBA AmeriCup. All other remaining dates of Qualifiers for the Continental Cups 2021 and for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 remain unchanged. The FIBA Afrobasket 2021 (August 24 - September 5) and the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 (August 17-29) are rescheduled by one and two weeks respectively, in August 2021, to avoid the calendar clash with the Tokyo Olympic Games. The FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2021 is rescheduled to June 20-27, 2021, prior to the Tokyo Olympic Games and on similar dates as the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2021 (June 17-27 2021). The four Women’s Continental Cups will qualify a total of 16 teams that will compete in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournaments in February 2022. The dates of all other FIBA Senior Tournaments at world and continental level, as well as their Qualifiers, for the period 2020-2023 remain without change. The FIBA U-17 Basketball World Cup 2020 in Bulgaria has been rescheduled to the same dates as the FIBA U=17 Women’s Basketball World Cup 2020 in Romania (August 15-23). A final decision on these tournaments will be made in mid-May depending on the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis said that he was “very pleased that, in a very challenging period, FIBA has been able to conduct an internal consultation process so fast and confirm an updated calendar for our senior tournaments within almost 2 weeks from the IOC’s announcement of the new dates for the Olympic Games. The President and I are grateful to our National Federations, our Zones and all other stakeholders for their swift collaboration.” “The outcome is a calendar of FIBA major events which remains very attractive for our fans, with a balanced distribution of top events, keeping always in mind the welfare and availability of players. I am looking forward to the day when the basketball community will be able to get back on the court.” FIBA’s Executive Committee noted that they will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation on a daily basis and evaluate the options for the lifting of the suspension of FIBA competitions when the situation allows for it.

West Indies tour to England looking ‘less and less likely’

See story on page 19

FLASHBACK! West Indies captain Jason Holder tosses the coin alongside England captain Eoin Morgan ahead the fifth One-Day International match between England and West Indies at Darren Sammy Cricket Ground on March 2, 2019 in Gros Islet, St Lucia. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Fox executives, Full Play Group SA plead not guilty to bribery charges See story on page 21

Guyana’s senior Men’s national team celebrate after winning the CBC Championship in Suriname

CBC tournament likely before Olympics in 2021 ... FIBA makes calendar changes

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

See story on page 23

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020