10 minute read
cautioned as until Nov 3 P
NEWS11 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM American Airlines to resume services in Guyana on Monday
Following the suspension of its services back in March, after the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) hit, American Airlines has made a decision to restart operations in Guyana, effective from Monday.
Operations would resume with six flights per week to Miami, and this would be followed by non-stop flights to New York, which would be rolled out by December.
On October 12, Guyana’s two main ports of entry – the Eugene F Correia International and the Cheddi Jagan International airports - were reopened to commercial flights. An important aspect of allowing incoming passengers is a negative PCR test, which must be proven by persons entering the country. This type of test is separated into two categories and can be done either within 72 hours or seven days of the flight.
In regard to the seven-day window, travellers would be asked to pay for a second test at the airport. If someone tests positive during their second PCR test, they would be picked up by the Health Ministry’s specialised COVID-19 team.
A number of commer-
cial carriers have already reintroduced flights to and from Guyana since the Government moved to reopen the ports.
Eastern Airlines has introduced four flights weekly from Miami and New York; COPA Airlines has started three flights weekly from Panama, while American Airlines has announced six flights weekly from Miami.
Beginning November 1, Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) will be flying between the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the Lester B. Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Canada. CAL said flights would be operated each Monday and Friday, with connections available from Trinidad and Barbados.
CAL has already reintroduced its commercial service between Guyana and New York, which took effect on October 19 following reopening of the country’s international ports last month.
A few days ago, JetBlue announced December 11 as the launch date for its commercial flight between New York and Guyana. The airline announced that flights would initially be operated up to four times weekly, with seats available for purchase starting on October 27.
JetBlue had originally announced the new route between New York City and Georgetown in September 2019, but temporarily paused the sale of seats and adjusted the launch schedule in response to changes in global travel demand.
Meanwhile, the Guyana Government is also engaging Virgin Atlantic and InterCaribbean Airways on adding Guyana to its list of destinations.
Local authorities had closed the country’s borders – including the two main international airports – since March 2020, after the first imported case of COVID-19 was detected. From then to August, the CJIA recorded losses of over one billion dollars due to the pandemic.
Figures representing aircraft seats occupied between January and July 2020, when compared with the same period in 2019, revealed that the number of available aircraft seats was 229,126, or 132 per cent less than the 532,602 available in 2019. This year, international aircraft landing has also declined by 137 per cent, from 2,380 to 1,005.
Regarding the movement of cargo, while the airport is closed to passenger movements, cargo operations continued, albeit in a limited manner. For cargo imports, there was a 19 per cent reduction: from 3,101,936 kilograms to 2,501,345 kilograms.
Meanwhile, cargo exports have declined by 22 per cent: from 1,652,028 kilograms to 1,294,391 kilograms. (G12)
Coastal residents cautioned as high tides persist until Nov 3
Residents along to stay out of the water and In October last year, the Guyana’s coast- keep food items safe. Water- high tides were unforgiving al stretch are asked borne diseases can be con- to communities on the West to remain alert as the pe- tracted through contact with Coast of Demerara, including riod of high tides is in ef- these waters. Direct contact Blankenburg, Hague, Den fect, and will continue until with floodwaters can expose Amstel, Fellowship, Cornelia November 4. persons to several germs Ida, Anna Catherina, and
The Hydrometeorological that can lead to any of these Oceanview Uitvlugt. This is Office has advised that diseases. Guardians are also the second major inundation above-normal high tides asked to keep children es- to hit those communities in would persist, and may re- pecially out of the water, as just over one year. sult in flooding. As a re- they are most at risk of con- In March last year, sult, the Civil Defence tracting diseases; and every- breaches in the sea defence Commission (CDC) is also one avoid swimming in ca- resulted in persons being readvising residents of riv- nals and trenches. located to shelters after their erine, low-lying and flood- Protective gear should homes were severely flooded. prone areas to take all necessary precautions, and be used, and feet should be washed regularly after perResidents are asked to be on the lookout for flooding during this high tide The CDC can be contacted around-the-clock at to contact the National sons exit the waters. If nec- toes which spread Zika, den- To protect against an elec- cal wiring has been damaged the National Emergency Emergency Monitoring essary, Vaseline or oil can be gue and chikungunya virus. tric shock, turn off the main in a home, turn off the main Monitoring System (NEMS) System should they be af- applied to form a barrier to Fruits and vegetables should electrical switch, unplug all switch and have it checked on 623-1700, 600-7500, or fected. protect from the dirty water. be washed thoroughly with appliances, and move them by a qualified electrician be- 226-1114, or by leaving a
In the event of their being Additionally, water is a clean water to prevent con- to safe areas in the home. If fore turning on the power message on its social media flooded, persons are asked breeding ground for mosqui- tamination. it is suspected that electri- again. page.
12NEWS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM Curfew now in effect from 10:30pm to 4am
...Govt offices revert to rotation of employees
…non-essential travel to Regions 1, 9 restricted
Government has tak- to allow for further assess- walls while maintaining so- prise shall work on rotaen a decision to ex- ments and consultations to cial distancing. tion. tend the National develop updated protocols The restriction to home Covid-19 Measures for the to aid in the combatting of continues, where persons Sporting events permitted month of November and the COVID-19 spread. shall remain in the con- Sporting events are has eased the curfew hours fines of their house or yard permitted subject to the which are now 22:30h Restricted travel space. No one is permitted approval of the Health (10:30 pm) to 04:00h (4 am). Non-essential trav- to host or attend a cinema Minister and compliance Published in the official ga- el into or out of Regions except for drive-in movies; with requisite guidelines. zette, the measures will One (Barima-Waini) and private party, banquet hall, From 04:00h to 21:30h, take effect from November Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper bar, public swimming pool stakeholders will be able 1, and last until November 30 – unless earlier terminated, extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Health after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions. These emergency measures are made pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2)(b) of the Direction by the President, given unEssequibo) is restricted, and travel shall only be permitted where it is connected to essential travel. The special measures for these regions state that gatherings shall not exceed five persons and the physical distance of six feet must apply to all these gatherings. Where the Health Ministry considers necesor water park, wake or vigil, spa, club, meeting fraternity or any other social activity. No person shall visit any place of quarantine or isolation facility, prison, patient in a hospital, nursing home, or other care facility. If it is not a COVID-19 patient, the hospital can grant permission on a caseto access services at banks, markets, supermarkets, grocery shops, gas stations, postal or shipping services, beauty salons, barbershops, hardware stores, clothing or stores; or other maintenance services. Outdoor dining at a restaurant shall only be permitted between these hours, with tables six feet apart and a maximum of four persons that are three feet apart per table. Food services are still permitted to conduct delivery and curbside pickup. Persons are still required to wear a mask, covering the nose and mouth, when in public. Both private and the public sector will have their staff on rotation while those in the health sector will be subjected to priority treatment. Failure to comply with the mandatory mask requirement would make persons liable under Section 152 of the Public Health Ordinance. der the Public Health Ordinance, Cap 145, and published in the Gazette, sary, any person may be tested for coronavirus or isolated. Regions Seven by-case basis. Meanwhile, for religious services, the attendance 1 charged, 2 on the run for Legal Supplement – B, 16th March 2020. The Government con(Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) have been removed from is restricted to 25 per cent of the building’s capacity and where there are mulRuimveldt teen’s murder cluded that it made a rapid assessment of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and found that it was fragmented and incapable of administering the public health, economic and social measures needed to keep the population safe. The the special measures category. Gyms Gyms are to be opened for only 50 per cent of the building’s capacity and by appointments. Physical exercises shall be allowed tiple services, there should be no less than 45 minutes between each to allow for sanitising. All measures and guidelines must be followed. Meanwhile, all persons employed within the Public Service, a semi-auOne man stands charged and two others remain at large after they allegedly murdered 18-year-old Adrian Purlette of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown. According to Regional three men turned up at the location and demanded money from him. The dead teen reportedly told the men that he had no money, which enraged them, leading to a heated confrontation. Order noted that the cur- only in parks, roadways, tonomous agency, statutory Commander with respon- According to Police, the rent measures are extended beaches, rivers and sea- body or State-owned enter- sibility for Region Four, teenager was leaving the Assistant Commissioner area, but the men followed M&CC defies LGC’s... FROM PAGE 10 Simon McBean, a teen was arrested earlier this week and charged on Friday and confronted him, during which he was dealt several stabs to his body.
Those suspended were a bag of cash was found in cash bearing the M&CC seal for the offence of murder. His friend told investigaDouglas; Iva Bryan (two months), Sonia Pit (three weeks), and Yolanda Forde (one month). Clerk of Markets Sherlock Lovell, along with Felicia McRae, the vehicle of the then Chief Constable, Andrew Foo, and monies were missing from the Bourda Market. According to reports, the monies were supposed in the Chief Constable’s vehicle. A complaint was lodged at the LGC, and an investigation was launched. During the investigation, Meanwhile, Police are still on the hunt for two other suspects. Purlette was stabbed on October 21 during an Dead: Adrian Purlette tors that he heard Purlette shouting that he had been stabbed. The friend then found him lying in a pool of blood. were issued warning letters. The decision to suspend to be deposited in the bank on behalf of the Georgetown the Commission found that Foo, along with officers, had argument over money at D’Urban Street, Lodge, teen was visiting a friend’s Purlette was picked up and rushed to the the officers were implement- Mayor and City Council breached the standard oper- Georgetown. He, however, house at Hoopie Lane, be- Georgetown Public Hospital ed following the recommen- (M&CC). However, a staff of ating procedure. (G1) died on October 22. tween D’Urban and Hadfield but succumbed to his injudations by the LGC after the Council found the bag of Reports are the now dead Streets, Georgetown, when ries one day later. (G9)
