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Commissioner
13 TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM NEWS Police eject Commissioner Benn forcibly from Conference Centre
With the deadly coronavirus already confirmed in Guyana, and its death toll increasing around the globe, several public local entities have resorted to suspending services as precautionary measures.
The Protected Areas Commission (PAC) and the National Parks Commission (NPC) joined the list, as it announced the closure of the Georgetown Zoo.
The PAC and NPC in a statement to the media on Monday advised the general public that the recreational facility will be closed from today until further notice, in an effort to protect both its staff and visitors from the spread of the virus.
“The Protected Areas Commission (PAC) and the National Parks Commission (NPC) at this time would like to advise the general public that the Georgetown Zoo will be closed beginning Tuesday, 17th March 2020 until further notice. This move is a part of the Commission’s efforts to safeguard and protect staff and citizens from the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) threat.”
Nevertheless, persons who utilise the National Park and Botanical Gardens can continue to do so, as those public spaces will remain open. “Please be advised also that the Botanical Gardens and the National Park will remain open as we take extra precautionary measures to ensure that all of our public facilities are fully sanitised.” The Commissions are urging persons to adhere to safety measures to prevent a possible epidemic of the virus.
“The PAC/NPC further calls on all Guyanese to adhere to the rules, measures and advice coming from the Ministry of Public Health in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our country.” PAC, NPC announce closure of Zoo – takes effect today P eople’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Commissioner on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Robeson Benn had to be taken to the hospital on Monday evening after he was forced to the ground and dragged by members of the Guyana Police Force.
The riot squad was summoned to the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) after members of the various political parties assembled and were subsequently blocked from entering the facility where the national recount was supposed to take place.
Commissioner Benn explained that it is mandatory for one agent from each group to be present at all times near the ballots so as to protect its integrity. This was agreed upon at the level of the Guyana Elections Commission on Sunday night. However, the ranks still demanded that everyone remove from the location and exit the compound.
“They apparently came and wanted everyone to leave the compound. I told the police that there was an agreement at the level of the Guyana Elections Commission, affirmed last night at the stakeholder ...dragged on ground, manhandled, and injured
meeting, that a representative from each stakeholder group had to be present with the containers 24/7. The police came and said they wanted me to leave the area of the container,” he explained.
After disagreeing to leave the boxes unguarded, the situation escalated when he was manhandled for failing to comply with these instructions.
“After 15 minutes of cajoling me to leave, two ranks proceeded to brace me out of the position. I was on the ramp at the back of the Convention Centre. I refused to leave and they laid hands on me and tried to physically remove me from the position.”
As he struggled to hold on to the rails, the Commissioner was forced to the ground and dragged some distance. The matter reached a point where the riot squad were contemplating the use of a shield to forcibly remove him.
“I held on to the rails and they dragged me along the ground to a point where I was lying on the ground. They said they were going to get a shield to put me on it and remove me. I kept refusing all the time,” he said.
Throughout the ordeal, he would have tried to contact Chairperson Justice Claudette Singh of GECOM to provide some clarity on his presence. While this failed, Opposition Leader Bharrat
Commissioner Robeson Benn being attended to by Dr Frank Anthony after he was manhandled by Police on Monday evening
Jagdeo confirmed that indeed, persons were to remain with the containers at all times. Shortly after, former Members of Parliament Dr Frank Anthony and Priya Manickchand arrived.
However, as a result, Benn sustained serious injuries to his upper body.
“After our discussion and my lying on the ground, eventually I got Dr Frank Anthony and Ms Manickchand. My problem is that I have a problem in my shoulder now, from the elbow going up and some muscular or tendon problem as a result of the issues with the police…I can’t move or lift this arm without pain,” he expressed.
The Commissioner articulated his dissatisfaction with the conduct of the Guyana Police Force.
“They ought to be simply aware of the position of a statutory Commissioner of an independent agency. And that by no possibility, could they be attempting to physically remove me from the position I was in,” he said, and was immediately taken to seek medical attention.
Benn has signalled intentions of seeing advice from Attorney Anil Nandlall on the steps further, as well as to voice his dissatisfaction with the Commissioner of Police, Leslie James.
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES
HOW TO HANDWASH? WASH HANDS OR USE HAND SANITISERS
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF?
People who think they may be affected by coronavirus need to call the Public Health Ministry hotline 227-4986/624-3067 for further advice. They should not go to their GP, A&E, pharmacy or hospital.
If you have come into contact with somebody who may be infected, you may be told to self-isolate. People needing to do so should take "common-sense" steps to avoid close contact with other people. (Adapted from BBC News)
Political parties slam GECOM for recount fiasco
– after party agents evicted by Police
“They are now using Police in riot gear to bait us to get angry. This is a fight for democracy. We’re here telling them, no we have to stay here with the containers. And they’re physically removing us. They’re pushing us out of the compound. They’re trying to bait us to react, but we said no, we’re not going to react like that this time. We have our locks on those containers. We’re not going to fight this physically.” – Kian Jabour, ANUG candidate Representatives from various small political parties have joined in criticising the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for its actions, or lack thereof, which led to the cancellation of the recount that was scheduled for Monday and the actual eviction of party agents who had gathered to watch over the ballot boxes.
A New and United Guyana’s (ANUG) Kian Jabour highlighted the issue in a video streamed when Police dressed in riot gear arrived and began herding party agents out of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC). “There are Police in riot gear who have formed a barricade of themselves in front
The rigging cabal within the APNU/AFC is doing everything possible to resist the recount and to undermine President David Granger’s commitment to the Caricom-led initiative to recount all the ballots cast at the March 2 2020 Elections.
This was according to executive member of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Anil Nandlall, who contended that the public is fully aware of the delay tactics employed on Monday to frustrate the commencement of the recount and their further attempts at using the police to prevent the political parties from monitoring the ballot boxes at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.
“I am now reliably informed that their next resort is to the High Court. They plan to use an ordinary citizen to file proceedings, seeking orders of court directing the Chief Elections Officer to accept the illegal declarations made by Mingo of Region Four results and to tabulate the final results and present same to the Commission and obtain further orders directing the Commission to declare the perverse final results,” Nandlall stated.
He further related that the move is obviously being executed to undermine the Caricom initiative.
“While such legal recourse will not succeed for reasons I will withhold at this point in time, it will certainly expose both Mingo and Justice Claudette Singh to Contempt of Court. The Contempt case against Mingo is already filed and pending. It will now have to [be] tried. The Chairperson has repeatedly admitted that she gave an undertaking to the Chief Justice that there will be a recount of Region Four ballots.”
He posited that an undertaking is as good as an order of the court and a violation of the same constitutes Contempt of Court while noting that President Granger will disregard these legal proceedings as a pretext for his usual deniability.
“This farce, like so many that they have tried, will not succeed.” APNU/AFC heads to court to block Region 4 recount – Nandlall PPP Executive Anil Nandlall of the containers and are now walking forward trying to remove people and getting everyone out. We’re not going far. We’re going to be around the area, watching the containers.”
“A lot of things came up from the Ashmins building and you heard a lot about how we are hooligans. Let me tell you what happened. We’ve been here peacefully all day, calmly quietly. We waited patiently and when we heard that they weren’t doing the count, that we’re just going to stick around here and guard the containLJP Presidential Candidate Lennox Shuman
ANUG candidate Kian Jabour
ers.”
Jabour made it clear that it has now become a fight for democracy, since the police are being used to frustrate what is supposed to be a transparent process. According to him, they will not be taking the bait to react emotionally and then have the narrative twisted. “They are now using Police in riot gear to bait us to get angry. This is a fight for democracy. We’re here telling them, no we have to stay here with the containers. And they’re physically removing us. They’re pushing us out of the compound.” “This will cause tension to rise. They’re trying to bait us to react, but we said no, we’re not going to react like that this time. We have our locks on those containers. We’re not going to fight this physically.”
When he arrived earlier on Monday for the already delayed count, Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) Presidential Candidate Lennox Shuman, who was one of several other party reps at the location to oversee the process, had been very critical of the delay. He had attributed it to delay tactics.
“There has been a lot of back and forth, that really disturbs us. Initially, they had hammered out an agreement, only to find out they have to come here and sanitise the place. It’s all delay tactics,” Shuman had said.
“Obviously GECOM did not get ahold of us. But we were proactive. We are expecting GECOM to provide last minute notification to us and then we have to hurry up and get here,” the Presidential Candidate also said.
UG further suspends...
FROM PAGE 12
UGSS had noted in their request that security has been a factor of paramount concern, as many students have chosen to relocate to other locations. The extended break would afford persons enough time to establish proper mechanisms.
“We know these past few days have been uncomfortable for you all. Same goes for us. Some of us have been made to switch our locations due to security concerns for ourselves and our family… Secondly, let this not be known as an extension to a semester break, but rather, the University closing down for a week so as to have proper and better systems in place where the security concerns of us all, can be guaranteed,” UGSS stated. In sharing their motive for this request, the student organ said that campus should also be closed owing to transportation constraints. While that may be the issue for many, those travelling from Berbice have shown fear amid protest actions across the region.
“Let us vehemently state, we strongly disagree with any suggestion that school be reopen as per normal for the coming week. There has been, to us, little to no real assessment of the transportation burden that our current political climate has imposed on our students…A vast majority of our students (over 1000) comes from Linden alone. Those who are coming from the Region Three area will now find it difficult to travel also as most buses have stopped working,” the statement indicated.
With the confirmation of the imported case of the novel coronavirus – COVID-19 – in Guyana. The Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) has provided its service agents, postal clerks and postmen and women with all the necessary resources to ensure that they are protested from the virus. In a statement on Monday, GPOC stated that “protecting our customers and staff is a priority at the Guyana Post Office Corporation. Our customer service agents, postal clerks and postmen and women have all been provided with face masks and gloves to use while attending to our valued customers.”
Given the fact that hundreds of persons are using its services on a daily basis, GPOC stated that it will ensure that stringent measures are in place to deal with the virus.
“It is a necessary precaution as we are conscious of the exposure and risks identified with the COVID-19. We have also taken additional measures to continuously sanitise the customer service areas at all of our offices. We thank you for your understanding and support during this period as we strive to create a clean, safe and comfortable environment,” GPOC added.
The novel coronavirus first emerged in Wuhan, China, during the latter part of last year. The virus has infected in excess of 100,000 people in more than 100 countries and over 4000 have reportedly died as a result. GPOC continues to protect its staff from COVID-19
ICJ postpones March 23 hearing of Guyana-Venezuela border case
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has postponed the long-anticipated hearing of the Guyana/Venezuela border dispute case that was scheduled for March 23, 2020, citing the worldwide crisis of the coronavirus.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ICJ has communicated to Guyana that the oral proceedings that were scheduled to begin on March 23 have been postponed until a new date can be set.
“In the case concerning the Arbitral Award of 3 October 1899 (Guyana V. Venezuela), the International Court of Justice has informed Guyana that the oral proceedings scheduled to begin on March 23, 2020, have been postponed due to the current worldwide health crisis. The Court has further informed that it will give a decision on a new date in due time,” the statement read.
Since Guyana recorded its first coronavirus case on March 11, there have been three more confirmed cases. In a previous notice, the Hague, Netherlands-based ICJ had informed the parties of the schedules for the upcoming public hearings to determine whether the Court has jurisdiction to preside over the matter. The first round of oral arguments was supposed to be held on March 23, 2020, and Guyana would have been presenting its pleadings on that day.
The following day was awarded to Venezuela. Hearings on both days were to commence at 10:00h and run until 13:00h (Netherlands time).
Meanwhile, the second round of arguments was slated for March 25 when Guyana would have been presenting from 16:30h to 18:00h. Venezuela would have then presented on March 27 from 10:00h to 11:30h. The sessions were to be streamed live on the Court’s website.
Guyana filed its case with the World Court on March 29, 2018, seeking a final and binding judgment that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the location of the land boundary between the then-British Guiana and Venezuela, remains valid and binding, and that Guyana’s Essequibo region belongs to Guyana, and not Venezuela as is being claimed by the Spanishspeaking country.
The case was filed following a decision by Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, in January 2018, that the controversy between Guyana and Venezuela should be decided by the ICJ.
The Secretary General made the decision by exercising the power vested in him in the 1966 Geneva Agreement between Guyana, Venezuela and the United Kingdom to decide how the controversy should be settled.
However, Venezuela had claimed, in a letter to the World Court, that the Secretary General exceeded his authority under the Geneva Agreement, and therefore, the Court lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate the lawsuit filed by Guyana. (Jarrell Bryan) – cites spread of coronavirus; to make decision on new date The International Court of Justice (ICJ)
The Public Health Ministry is working to locate and ascertain all the persons who would have been exposed to the novel coronavirus after coming into contact with the 52-year-old woman of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD), who died on Wednesday last.
Just a few days after the woman died, her husband, child and a close relative have all tested positive for the virus.
Despite the warning against public interactions, scores of people attended a wake held for the deceased at her Good Hope, East Coast Demerara home on Thursday last.
But persons were still in disbelief that the woman died of the coronavirus and went “to investigate whether the claims were correct.” In fact, one young lady after the visit stated that “I didn’t want no hearsay, I wanted first-hand info. Every member of the family was there along with neighbours and other relatives. The daughter of the deceased said to me that nothing that the Ministry said on national television was true,” a young lady stated in a Facebook post after visiting the family.”
Last week, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Shamdeo Persaud stated that the Ministry is currently tracking down everyone that came into contact with the woman.
“We have started from the flight. Everyone who was on that aircraft, we know it wasn’t a full flight. We are making an effort with Customs Immigration who would have other contact information to make contact with all those persons,” the CMO had stated.
He further added that “we have continued the screening at the port, we at up to 120 persons so far. We are taking their temperature and an information card, so if they do develop, we would really like to encourage to take a few moments and read through the information we are giving. It can be life-saving for you and all your loved ones.”
Deputy Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Karen Boyle when contacted on Monday stated that as many as 200 persons could have been exposed to the woman, but the Ministry is still trying to confirm the identities of those persons.
“All the places we know she went to, the hospital, the taxi, the airport, the passengers, the family, the wake and so on.”
She noted that the laws of Guyana provide for anyone to be held accountable if they do not comply with the Ministry’s steps to stop the spread of the virus.
On Monday the Public Health Ministry issued a statement to passengers of the Caribbean Airlines flight BW 727 on March 12, 2020, from JFK, New York, to CJIA, Guyana, to call 592-624-6674 for urgent information.
The coronavirus has since left more than 4200 people dead and another 118,000 infected across the world.
Local health authorities have advised that if anyone is experiencing symptoms of coronavirus, they should contact the hotline on 227- 4986 ext 215 or 624-3067 and a team would be sent to their location. MoH tracks hundreds who mingled with relatives of dead coronavirus victim Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud
Coronavirus: What are social distancing and self-isolation?Courts in Essequibo closed until March 23
Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court I n light of the COVID-19 threats, the Essequibo High Court, Suddie and Anna Regina Magistrates’ Courts will be closed with immediate effect and will be reopened on Monday, March 23, 2020.
In a release to the media, the Office of the Chancellor of the Judiciary stated that the decision was taken due to the possible exposure of a staff member to the coronavirus.
“These Courts will be fumigated and the Supreme Court protocols in relation to continued sanitisation and the Court’s response to the virus will be followed scrupulously,” the release added.
It further stated that constant review and assessment of the situation will be undertaken and court users will be provided updates. The Supreme Court of Judicature regrets any inconvenience the closure will cause.
Persons have been asked to stop non-essential contact with other people and avoid all unnecessary travel. This is known as social distancing.
It follows people with flulike symptoms being asked to self-isolate at home, to avoid infecting others.
So, what do you need to know about social distancing and self-isolation?
What is social distancing? Social distancing means trying to avoid contact with other people, staying at least three feet (one metre) away.
It means spending less time in public places, where a lot of people are around.
Some Governments have urged:
People start working from home wherever possible All unnecessary travel stop Pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues be avoided
Anyone living with someone who has a cough or a temperature to stay at home for 14 days Special measures for people in at-risk groups to stay at home for 12 weeks. This affects pregnant women, people aged over 70 and those with underlying health conditions.
What is self-isolating? Self-isolating means cutting yourself off from the rest of the world.
From now on, if one person in a household starts to display flu-like symptoms – defined as a fever of above 37.8C or a persistent cough – everyone living there must stay at home for 14 days.
That meant avoiding leaving the house “even to buy food or essentials”; people could go out to do exercise, but only at a safe distance from others.
The person with the symptoms should stay in a well-ventilated room with a window that can be opened, and keep away from other people in the home.
They should ask for help for groceries, other shopping or medication, which can be dropped off on the doorstep by friends, family or delivery drivers.
The COVID-19 disease can cause a fever, cough and breathing problems. It takes five days on average for people to start showing the symptoms.
What if someone self-isolating shares a home?
If someone is self-isolating and shares a kitchen, they should try to avoid using it when other people are there and take meals back to their room to eat. Clean all the surfaces at home with household cleaning products daily.
Although they might not be able to entirely separate themselves from family members or flatmates, the advice is to limit contact as much as possible.
If possible, stay at least two metres (six feet) from other people they live with and sleep alone. Keep away from vulnerable people.
People living with someone in isolation should wash their hands often, using soap and water for at least 20 seconds – especially after coming into contact with them.
Other people shouldn’t share towels, toiletries or other household items with someone in isolation, who should have a separate bathroom. If that is not possible, the isolated person should use the bathroom last, cleaning it thoroughly afterwards if they are able.
Any rubbish that the isolated person has been in contact with should be double-bagged and kept. (Excerpt from BBC News)
16 TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020 Regional
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley has announced that the country’s borders will be locked down to all outsiders for the next 14 days.
Dr Rowley made the announcement at a news conference at the Diplomatic Centre Monday morning following a special Cabinet meeting.
“Cabinet met this morning and has taken the decision that Trinidad and Tobago will cease to encourage and facilitate for the next 14 days, entry into this country except for people who are nationals of Trinidad and Tobago,” Dr Rowley said.
He made it clear that only nationals of this country will be allowed in.
Dr Rowley said that exemptions would be given to health workers who may need to enter the country.
“Other than that, we are basically disconnecting ourselves from the international community for the next 14 days,” he said.
He added that this would have significant ramifications for the national airline, Caribbean Airlines.
He said the Government would look at the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund to help sustain the country, but added that “the health and safety of the citizens of our country is priority number one”.
“We have to isolate ourselves from the supply, the source of the virus outside of Trinidad and Tobago,” he said.
“We are in a crisis. We are in an emergency. There is no game saying that,” he said.
He said there were currently 75 elderly citizens in the Caribbean who were trying to come home and would be allowed to do so.
Locally, the Prime Minister added that all bars will be closed within T&T.
He said the Government was also advising against all gatherings beyond 25 persons. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian) T&T shuts down borders, bars to be closed
Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley addresses the media after a Special Cabinet Meeting on Monday (Abraham Diaz photo)
Jamaican Govt announces new measures to stop spread of COVID-19
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced new measures in wake of the COVID-19 outbreak in Jamaica.
Holness told a media briefing Monday evening that he was exercising his powers under the Disaster Risk Management Act.
All the measures will be for seven days, effective Wednesday, March 18, and will be reviewed after five days to make a determinaJamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness
tion whether there is need for escalation, Holness said. These are that: All travellers from countries where there is local transmission of COVID-19 will now be required to self-quarantine for up to 14 days.
Government will institute a new policy requiring that all non-essential work be done from home or remotely in both the Public and Private Sectors. “We’re now formally requiring the Private Sector to do this,” Holness said.
Hospital visits are now reduced to once per day, and to one person, and outpatient clinics are to be scaled down. (Jamaica Observer)
Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves said that a Nigeria-born Trinidad and Tobago resident had been placed under quarantine there after his arrival in St Vincent and the Grenadines from Guyana led to the closure of the domestic terminal of the Argyle International Airport (AIA) and the airline, LIAT, grounded for several hours. Gonsalves, speaking on a radio programme, said that Port of Spain had initially said that it would not allow the LIAT aircraft to land or the man to deplane. He said that the man, who is married to a Trinidad and Tobago national, was also turned away from a number of hotels before one decided to allow him to complete his quarantine at its facilities.
Earlier reports said that the man had left Guyana after having only been in quarantine for seven of the mandatory 14 days after he tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Gonsalves, who detailed the incident as he updated the nation on his Government’s plans to deal with the virus, said that he was prepared to make his private home available for housing the man, if hotel accommodation had not been secured.
Gonsalves said that apparently, the Trinidadbased Caribbean Airlines (CAL), which had flown the man to Guyana, had identified him “as somebody whom they will have to watch because he came in on the flight, went to the Guyanese authority and he attempted to leave the night before the last (Friday night) from Guyana on CAL”. (Excerpt from Reuters) St Vincent places Trinidad resident under quarantine
President Nayib Bukele suspended passenger flights to El Salvador on Monday after accusing Mexico of allowing a dozen people with coronavirus to board a flight to San Salvador, an assertion quickly questioned by Mexico’s Government.
Bukele did not provide evidence for the claim, which he made on Twitter. He described Mexican authorities as “irresponsible”. “No passenger plane can land on Salvadoran soil,” Bukele said. “Planes en route should change their flight plans.”
Mexico’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Latin America, Maximiliano Reyes, responded to the tweets by asking that Bukele reveal the source of his information and describing Mexico as a pioneer in handling epidemics.
Bukele said the people with coronavirus were set to fly on an Avianca flight leaving Mexico City at 16:00h local time on Monday.
Avianca later said it had cancelled the flight and the passengers had not boarded, and were being informed of the cancellation.
Bukele said the Government was working on a new set of protocols to allow flights to resume through San Salvador airport, which is a connection point for flights to other Central American countries. (Excerpt from Reuters) El Salvador suspends flights, accuses Mexico of letting coronavirus patients board plane
Brazilian Foreign Trade Secretary Marcos Troyjo, who was part of the Brazilian delegation that recently visited Florida, has tested positive for coronavirus, his office said in a statement on Monday. Troyjo, who is Brazil’s Deputy Economy Minister, was in Miami for meetings, but did not attend a dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump nine days ago for Brazilian Government leaders. He is showing no symptoms and is working from his home in strict isolation, the statement said. (Reuters) Brazil’s Foreign Trade Secretary says he has coronavirus
Military roadblocks, curfews: Latin America tightens coronavirus controls
Countries around Latin America tightened restrictions on Monday to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, with Peru deploying military personnel on the streets, Costa Rica closing borders and Paraguay imposing a curfew.
The Region has yet to be hit as hard as Asia or Europe, and countries have moved aggressively to contain the virus that has shut down cities and international transport hubs and battered markets.
Nevertheless, not all of them are moving at the same speed, and a diplomatic tiff erupted when El Salvador’s President accused Mexico of allowing people with coronavirus to board a flight due to leave Mexico City for San Salvador.
In Peru, President Martin Vizcarra said leaders from Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Brazil spoke via conference call on Monday to analyse the situation and coordinate actions against the pandemic.
“We have agreed that together we are going to join forces,” he told reporters at the governmental palace, adding countries would look to coordinate demand for medical supplies and to calculate the economic impact on the Region. In Lima, masked military personnel blocked major roads, while Police restricted the movement of people, as the country rolled out a state of enforced “social isolation”. Peru has suspended constitutional rights such as free movement and assembly, though the Government has assured it will guarantee the operation of supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, basic services and the transport of merchandise.
In nearby Paraguay, which has eight cases of the respiratory disease so far, the Government said it would enforce a curfew from 20:00h daily to restrict crowds.
Certain people, including those doing vital work, delivering food or transportation could continue to move around, Paraguay’s Interior Minister Euclides Acevedo told a news conference.
Meanwhile Panama’s Government said it had now reported 69 cases of coronavirus infection, up from 55 on Sunday.
Coronavirus has been slower to reach Latin America than much of the world. Some countries, including Mexico, have sought to minimise public disruptions. Others such as El Salvador have gone to considerable lengths to keep the virus out.
Venezuela entered the first day of a quarantine on Monday, imposed by President Nicolás Maduro to stop the virus.
Chile cut interest rates to aid growth, while LATAM Airlines Group, South America’s largest carrier, cut 90 per cent of international flights due to weak demand.
Chilean President Sebastian Pinera said his country, which has 155 confirmed coronavirus cases, would close its borders to foreigners starting on Wednesday.
Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado declared a state of emergency that included shutting borders, and ordered educational authorities to close study centres for a month.
Guatemala suspended all flights and banned foreigners from entering the country for two weeks, while Honduras was in a state of near lockdown.
Honduras suspended various constitutional rights for a week, including freedom of movement, speech and assembly.
Separately, fast food chain McDonald’s Corp said on Twitter it was shutting its stores in Guatemala and El Salvador until further notice, appending a message in Spanish: “Stay at home”. (Excerpt from Reuters) Stranded migrants, mostly from Venezuela, are pictured at Rumichaca International Bridge between Colombia and Ecuador, after Ecuador’s Government closed its borders to all foreign travellers due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Tulcan, Ecuador, March 16, 2020
OILNEWS
Oil slumps below US$30 a barrel as coronavirus spreads, OPEC rancour remains elevated
Oil prices fell below US$30 a barrel on Monday after the worldwide coronavirus outbreak worsened over the weekend, exacerbating fears that Government lockdowns to contain the spread of the disease would spark a global recession.
Saudi Aramco reiterated plans to boost output to record levels to boost its share of the global market. Top global oil producers Saudi Arabia and Russia started a price war after failing to agree on a plan to curb supply as the global economic slowdown destroys oil demand.
The coming flood of supply from Saudi Arabia and other producers could result in the largest surplus of crude in history, said global information provider IHS Markit.
Brent crude LCOc1 settled down US$3.80, or 11.2 per cent, at US$30.05 a barrel. The international benchmark fell as low as US$29.52 a barrel, its lowest since January 2016.
US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 fell US$3.03, or 9.6 per cent, to end at US$28.70 a barrel, its lowest since February 2016.
Saudi Aramco is likely to sustain higher oil output in May, Chief Executive Amin Nasser said, signalling the top oilproducing company is prepared to live with low prices for a while.
The coronavirus outbreak, which has infected at least 174,000 people and killed around 6700, already has caused oil prices to plummet by 50 per cent this year. Many forecasters have lowered estimates on crude demand, as the virus disrupts business activity, travel and daily life.
With Saudi Arabia and Russia pledging to boost production, IHS Markit estimates that oversupply of oil could come to 800 million to 1.3 billion barrels — double or triple what existed in late 2015 to early 2016, when the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries pumped more oil to combat the growing US shale industry.
“The last time that there was a global surplus of this magnitude was never. Prior to this, the largest six-month global surplus this century was 360 million barrels. What is coming will be twice that or more,” said Jim Burkhard, Vice President and Head of Oil Markets at IHS Markit.
An OPEC and non-OPEC technical meeting planned for Wednesday in Vienna has been called off as attempts to mediate between Saudi Arabia and Russia made no progress, sources said.
Central banks globally took action over the weekend to try to quell economic fallout of the pandemic, but the measures did little to strengthen stock markets in freefall, as investors anticipate a sharp contraction in demand in coming weeks anyway.
The US Federal Reserve on Sunday slashed its key rate to near zero, triggering an unscheduled rate cut by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand to a record low as markets in Asia opened for trading this week.
The Bank of Japan later stepped in by easing monetary policy further, while Gulf central banks also cut interest rates.
In China, where the virus began, daily refinery throughputs dropped 4.8 per cent in the first two months of the year, sliding to the lowest level since December 2018, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Monday.
Brent’s premium to WTI CL-LCO1=R narrowed to less than US$1 during Monday’s session, falling to its lowest since 2016, making US crude oil uncompetitive in international markets.
Numerous US oil companies have swiftly cut spending, with analysts anticipating consolidation or restructurings. US crude output has grown in recent years to nearly 13 million bpd, making it the world’s largest producer.
“Some of them (US shale oil companies) may not survive prolonged low oil prices, and in this event, US production would decrease. Less crude availability in the US is likely to reduce the WTI discount to Brent,” Societe Generale analysts in a note to clients.
US President Donald Trump said on Friday Washington would take advantage of low oil prices and fill the US emergency crude oil reserve. The move is aimed to help energy producers struggling from the price plunge.
The United States could begin purchasing domestically produced crude oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve as soon as two weeks from now, and fill it in several months, an Energy Department source said on Monday. However, the purchases are not seen as likely to offset the drop in demand nor the increase in supply, Energy Aspects said in a note. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Around the World
US researchers gave the first shot to the first person in a test of an experimental coronavirus vaccine on Monday - leading off a worldwide hunt for protection even as the pandemic surges.
With a careful jab in a healthy volunteer's arm, scientists at the Kaiser Permanente Washington Research Institute in Seattle begin an anxiously awaited first-stage study of a potential COVID-19 vaccine developed in record time after the new virus exploded from China and fanned across the globe.
"We're team coronavirus now," Kaiser Permanente study leader Dr Lisa Jackson said on the eve of the experiment. "Everyone wants to do what they can in this emergency."
The Associated Press news agency watched as the study's first participant, an operations manager at a small tech company, received the injection inside an exam room. Several others were next in line for a test that will ultimately give 45 volunteers two doses, a month apart. "We all feel so helpless. This is an amazing opportunity for me to do something," said Jennifer Haller, 43, of Seattle.
She's the mother of two teenagers and "they think it's cool" that she's taking part in the study.
Monday's milestone marked just the beginning of a series of studies in people needed to prove whether the shots are safe and could work. Even if the research goes well, a vaccine would not be available for widespread use for 12 to 18 months, said Dr Anthony Fauci of the US National Institutes of Health.
That is still important if the virus becomes a longterm threat. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera) Coronavirus vaccine test opens as US volunteer gets 1st shot Employee Philipp Hoffmann, of German biopharmaceutical company CureVac, demonstrates research workflow on a vaccine for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at a laboratory in Tuebingen, Germany, March 12, 2020. Picture taken on March 12, 2020 [Andreas Gebert/Reuters]
Britain has asked manufacturers including Ford, Honda and Rolls Royce to help make health equipment including ventilators to cope with the coronavirus outbreak and will look at using hotels as hospitals.
Britain, which has reported 55 coronavirus deaths and 1543 cases, on Monday announced it was ramping up its battle against the coronavirus outbreak, shutting down social life and ordering the most vulnerable to isolate themselves for 12 weeks.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke to more than 60 manufacturing businesses and organisations to ask them to help step up the production of “vital medical equipment” such as ventilators for the National Health Service, a spokeswoman for his Downing Street office said.
“The Prime Minister made clear that responding to coronavirus and reducing the spread of the peak requires a national effort,” the spokeswoman said.
“He asked manufacturers to rise to this immediate challenge by offering skills and expertise as well as manufacturing the components themselves. Businesses can get involved in any part of the process: design, procurement, assembly, testing, and shipping.”
Hotels will be used as emergency hospitals, retired doctors are being asked to come back to work and some elective surgery is being cancelled.
Many countries are trying to buy ventilators, used to keep people with coronavirus alive if they struggle to breathe.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said there had been an enthusiastic response to the call for ventilator production.
It was, though, not immediately clear how a manufacturer of jet engines or cars could turn to producing specialist medical equipment, which international parts would be needed or what certification would be required. (Excerpt from Reuters) Make us ventilators to fight coronavirus, UK asks Ford and Rolls Royce British Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a news conference addressing the Government's response to the coronavirus outbreak, at Downing Street in London, Britain, March 12, 2020 A Japanese man has been sentenced to death for a stabbing rampage in 2016 which resulted in the death of 19 disabled people at a care home. Satoshi Uematsu said people with disabilities who were unable to communicate well had no human rights, said broadcaster Kyodo.
The 30-year old had once worked in the care facility, located near Tokyo.
The Yokohama District Court on Monday ordered him to death by hanging.
Uematsu previously said he did not plan to appeal against any verdict or sentence.
During the trial earlier this year, the former employee of the Sagamihara care home did not dispute that he stabbed his victims. But his defence team pleaded not guilty, citing their client's mental state. They said he had been under the influence of drugs at the time.
Prosecutors though insisted Uematsu was mentally competent and that the rampage was "inhumane" and left "no room for leniency".
On 26 July 2016, Uematsu drove to the Tsukui Yamayuri-en care facility outside of Tokyo, armed with several knives. He entered one of the buildings by breaking a window and began attacking sleeping residents one by one in their rooms, according to the prosecution.
His 19 victims were aged between 19 and 70, according to Japanese news agency Kyodo. Another 25 people were wounded, 20 of them seriously.
Soon after the attack, Uematsu handed himself in at a police station.
It later emerged that a few months before the attack Uematsu had taken a letter to Japan's Parliament saying he would kill 470 severely disabled people if authorised. (Excerpt from BBC News) Satoshi Uematsu: Japanese man who killed 19 disabled people sentenced to death Satoshi Uematsu when he was detained in 2016
PEANUTS
CALVIN AND HOBBES
SUDOKU
SOLUTION FOR YESTERDAY’S PUZZLE guyanatimesgy.com
ARIES (March 21- April 19)
Look at the facts. Don’t get upset over something you cannot change. Either prepare to stand up and fight for what you want or get out of the line of fire.
TAURUS (April 20- May 20)
Think big and follow through with your plans. Get whatever concerns you out of the way. Your effort will be impressive and will draw the help you need to exceed your expectations.
GEMINI (May 21- June 20)
Easy does it. Be careful what you say and whom you trust. Look at your options and make a change that en- courages professional, per- sonal and financial success.
CANCER (June 21- July 22)
LEO (July 23- Aug. 22)
You’ll have more choices than anticipated. Refuse to let the number of options con- fuse you. Take a systemat- ic approach to help you finetune an important decision. Seek out what will bring you the greatest happiness.
Be honest with yourself and others to avoid walking down the wrong path. Just because something works for someone else doesn’t mean that it’s right for you.
(Aug. 23- Sept. 22) VIRGO
If you network, you will make a connection with someone who interests you personally or professionally. A trip or educational pursuit will give you a more exten- sive range of options.
LIBRA (Sept. 23- Oct. 23)
SCORPIO (Oct. 24- Nov. 22)
Forget about your wor- ries and do something with someone who makes you smile. Reminding yourself of all that you have will help you rethink how you want to move forward.
Put your creative ide- as and talents to the test. Discuss an innovative part- nership in detail. Draw up an agreement that will seam- lessly blend what you and your partner have to offer.
(Nov. 23- Dec. 21) SAGITTARIUS Pick up skills that will help you follow a path that excites you. Don’t limit your- self just because someone is not in favor of the changes you want to pursue.
(Dec. 22- Jan. 19) CAPRICORN
Don’t be so hard on your- self. If you stand up for your beliefs and do what you feel most comfortable doing, you will excel. An idea you have is worth fleshing out.
(Jan. 20- Feb. 19) AQUARIUS
Discretion will be re- quired to avoid interference. An authority figure may pose a problem for you if you don’t abide by the rules. Don’t take a risk.
Amini-tournament to decide the Champions League and Europa League will be one option put forward to ease fixture congestion caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
European football’s governing body, Uefa, is hosting a video conference with major stakeholders on Tuesday.
Euro 2020 is set to be postponed to allow league seasons to be completed.
A source close to the situation says all parties must be ready to sacrifice something to reach a solution.
All 55 Uefa members, the boards of the European Club Association and the European Leagues, and a representative of world players’ union Fifpro have been invited to Tuesday’s meeting.
The Uefa members will also hold an additional meeting to discuss their own reaction.
All Uefa competitions, including Champions League and Europa League, postponed How would a mini-tournament work? As with the Premier League, who on Friday stressed their commitment to completing the season, Uefa wants the Champions League and Europa League to reach a conclusion because they also have major broadcasting contracts to satisfy.
Both tournaments are at their last-16 stage, with six matchdays remaining, including the final. There are still 14 last-16 ties across the two competitions to be completed.
Playing the quarter-finals and semi-finals as one-off games would cut two fixtures off the remaining schedule.
Playing them over a handful of days as a mini-tournament - in Istanbul and Gdansk, host cities for this season’s finals - would concentrate the matches even further, cutting down on travelling and cause the least disruption to the domestic leagues.
It has not been ruled out these games could be played in conjunction with league matches - nor does the Champions League final have to mark the end of the club campaign as tradition dictates.
Moving Euro 2020, due to take place at venues across Europe from 12 June to 12 July, to next summer would also free up more time to complete domestic and European fixtures.
However, that would then impact on next year’s calendar.
Both the Women’s European Championship, hosted by England, and the men’s European Under-21 Championship, in Hungary and Slovenia, are scheduled for the summer of 2021. The Nations League, the draw for which was held earlier in March, is due to be completed next spring. In addition, the first edition of the expanded Fifa Club World Cup is set to be held in China in June. While the big domestic leagues have problems over television contracts to solve if games do not take place, most countries rely on the payments from Uefa that come out of major international tournaments to allow their own leagues to function properly. These would be at risk from any movement of the European Championship and are likely to form part of any agreement.
Uefa has an estimated 400 staff working on the Euros. It is unknown what will happen to them if the tournament does not take place for another 12 months.
The situation is not made any easier by not knowing when football will be able to resume.
Uefa accepts it is impossible to know when current travel restrictions will be lifted, but it cannot wait until they are to draft a plan. (BBC Sport) Coronavirus: Champions League and Europa League could be decided by mini-tournament Euro 2020, scheduled to take place at 12 venues across Europe this summer, could be postponed to give European leagues time to complete their domestic seasons
Coronavirus: Team member of Formula 1 tyre supplier Pirelli tests positive
Amember of tyre supplier Pirelli’s Formula 1 team has tested positive for coronavirus in Melbourne.
It is the second positive test by an F1 team member, after a McLaren employee’s illness led to the cancellation of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
Pirelli said the person is “following all the relevant procedures put in place by the health authorities”.
They had “not had any contact with third parties that required anyone else to take special preventative measures”.
Pirelli added it was “closely monitoring the situation in line with public health
policies and company guidelines”.
The coronavirus has caused havoc at the start of the F1 season, with the first four races in Australia, Bahrain, Vietnam and China all postponed.
The scheduled fifth and sixth races in the Netherlands and Spain, on 3 and 10 May, are set to be officially called off in the coming days.
F1 has said it hopes to start the season in Europe at the end of May, but it is working through a series of contingency plans that are all dependent on the development of coronavirus worldwide. (BBC Sport)
The NBA’s season — on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic — could be suspended for at least three months, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Sunday night.
Per the report, owners and executives are bracing for the possibility of mid-to-late June — a time when, in a normal year, the NBA Finals would typically be over — being the best-case scenario for play to resume.
When the season was suspended on Wednesday night, about a month’s worth of regular-season games remained. The postseason typically runs from midApril through early-to-mid June.
Wojnarowski reports fears exist that the season might not resume, but the league is considering a variety of creative options for a possible return. With the CDC recommending on Sunday that gatherings of 50 or more people should be avoided for the next eight weeks, one plan could involve a return without fans at games, perhaps even playing games in smaller venues like team practice facilities and a different television experience.
The report adds that teams are exploring the availability of venues through August for the playoffs, and that a financial report is expected to be presented to owners soon. That report would include projections on expected revenue that would be lost if canceling the rest of the season, resuming at some point without fans or holding the playoffs without fans.
Meanwhile, The Athletic reports the league has informed teams that players can begin traveling outside of their home market beginning Monday, with the requirements t h a t they provide their wherea- bouts, remain at home and practice social distancing. According to a separate ESPN report, the league extended its ban on team practices indefinitely, though play- ers remain allowed to work out at team facilities on their own.
Earlier Sunday, ESPN reported that the G League, the NBA’s minor-league system, is expected to have the remainder of its season canceled. The NBA was the first major sports league in America to suspend its season, doing so Wednesday after news emerged of Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert’s positive test for the virus. All other leagues in the U.S. have quickly followed suit. (Reuters) NBA hiatus could be 3 months plus Utah Jazz’s Donovan Mitch drives to the basket against Houston Rockets’ James Harden (USA Today Sports)
20 GUYANATIMESGY.COM TUESDAY, MARCH 17 , 2020 Coronavirus: Over-50s World Cup cancelled over demographics concerns
The Over-50s World Cup has been called off into its third round after the tournament’s medical committee said “it is a public health risk decision” in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that is sweeping the world.
“The decision was taken for the protection of the players, given their age demographic, but also for the local population given that 95% of known cases in South African have come from travellers,” Dr Parag Pandya, the head of the medical committee of the tournament, said. The coronavirus’ fatality rate is highest among older adults, especially those above the age of 50.
A Cricket South Africa release said the decision was made when the third round of matches were ongoing, and the matches were abandoned after the first innings. The release also stated that seven off the 11 visiting teams have been staying in the same Cape Town hotel and appropriate precautions have been taken. They will remain there until further arrangements are made.
CSK suspend practice, players sent home Chennai Super Kings have suspended their practice and their players are set to return home, joining the rest of the cricket world as they take precautions against the spread of the coronavirus. The three-time IPL champions have been training for the upcoming season since the start of March. But with the severity of the outbreak growing, and with the BCCI postpon - i n g t h e tourna - ment itself to April 15, the Super Kings wrapped up their camp on Saturday even though it was only due to end on March 19. Ironically, just as people are being advised not to gather together in large groups, the three stands in Chepauk that have been sealed for the past eight years are open for use again.
CSA suspends all cricket Cricket South Africa has suspended all cricket, professional and amateur, for the next 60 days after the country’s president Cyril Ramaphosa declared a state of disaster of Sunday. Widespread measures across the country, which include a travel ban on people from high- risk areas, and a prohibition of gatherings of over 100 people, have now halted sporting events, with the Premier Soccer League, Super Rugby
Chris Lynn and the T w o O c e a n s
Marathon also suspended.
T h a t means the o n g o i n g franchise one-day c u p competitions semi-finals and final, which were due to take place this week, will not be played; neither will the final two rounds of the firstclass competition, scheduled to run from late
M a r c h into early April. CSA has yet to announce whether they will declare a winner for either. The Dolphins are atop the oneday cup table with seven wins from their 10 round-robin matches and were due to play the Warriors in the first semi-final, with the second-placed Lions scheduled to play the Knights. Those matches will not take place. In the first-class competition, thought to be particularly important as South Africa look to name a new Test captain following Faf du Plessis’ stepping down, the Lions lead the pack.
Semi-professional cricket, including the three-day first-class competition and provincial oneday cup, which are both at their closing stages, has been stopped as well as amateur cricket such as club fixtures. In Cape Town, the Western Province Cricket Association office has been closed until further notice and the over50s World Cup called off. South Africa men’s ODI trip to India was postponed after just one match and they return home on Wednesday morning while the women’s side’s series against Australia, due to take place this month, has also been put back.
Lynn leaves PSL Shortly after his matchwinning century for Lahore Qalandars, Chris Lynn said he was heading back to Australia and would miss the knockouts. On Sunday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced enhanced restrictions on all international travellers entering the country with them required to self-isolate for 14 days.
In an Instagram post, Lynn wrote: “Thoroughly enjoyed my time at the @thepsl unfortunately in these circumstances I’ve chosen to head home, I’ve always said there is more to life than cricket and this is certainly one of these cases. I have full faith in the @lahoreqalandars to go all the way but more importantly have fun lads! Thank you to everyone involved, Pakistan you have been a blast.” (ESPNcricinfo)
Olympic boxing qualifiers for fighters from Europe were taking place in London on Monday behind closed doors despite mounting concerns over coronavirus and enormous disruption across the world of sport.
The Boxing Road to Tokyo event in London started on Saturday in front of paying spectators at the Copper Box Arena and is due to run until March 24.
It features around 350 male and female boxers from dozens of nations and is the first opportunity for boxers from Europe to qualify for Tokyo 2020. The IOC Boxing Task Force, in a statement on Sunday, said the rest of the event, from Monday, would take behind closed doors “due to the changing situation with coronavirus and concerns for public, athlete and volunteer welfare”.
Shortly before that decision, the head of European boxing told the BBC he was “very concerned” that the event was taking place. European Boxing Confederation (EUBC) president Franco Falcinelli said he feared the risk of a boxer getting the virus was “very high”.
“In my opinion it’s very strange that England -- and the competition -- is open at this hard time,” he said. Falcinelli also said he was concerned that the athletes could struggle to return home because of flight restrictions.
Britain’s death toll from COVID-19 rose on Sunday to 35. Official figures showed the country has recorded 1,372 confirmed cases.
Organisers of the boxing qualifiers said before the event started that measures had been put in place to protect competitors.
“All of the teams have been told to adopt regular handwashing,” they said in a statement.
“If any of their group begins to exhibit cold or flu symptoms they are advised to self-isolate, stay indoors, avoid contact with other people and contact the LOC’s (local organising committee’s) chief medical officer.”
Additional measures include routine temperature testing as part of daily medicals.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday said the country would host the Tokyo Olympics, due to start on July 24, as planned. (Hindustan Times) Olympic boxing qualifier goes ahead despite coronavirus fears
Olympic Games organisers will meet via teleconference on Tuesday to discuss the latest coronavirus developments and the impact on the 2020 Tokyo Games.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will talk with international sports federations - a second executive board meeting in the last two weeks.
On Saturday, Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the Olympics will go ahead from 24 July to 9 August.
The Japan section of the Olympic Torch relay is due to start on 26 March.
The main focus of the meeting is to discuss disruption to qualifying events for the Games. The coronavirus pandemic has wiped out most of the world’s major sporting events as authorities seek to limit the spread of the virus.
The recent torch-lighting ceremony in ancient Olympia was held without spectators, before the rest of the relay in Greece was suspended to avoid attracting large crowds.
Several Olympic trials events in the United States have been postponed, including wrestling, rowing and diving.
The boxing events in London are going as scheduled, but behind closed doors. (BBC Sport) Cyclists wearing face masks with the Tokyo Olympic logo in the background
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The decision was made by the North American Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) federation, and the Bermuda National Athletics Association. In a letter to NACAC member countries, NACAC President Mike Sands wrote: “This decision was not taken lightly but in the best interest of all stakeholders against the backdrop of the rapidly evolving situation with regard to the COVID-19 across the globe and supported by the World Health Organisation declaring a global pandemic, which has led several countries, regardless of size, political ideology or wealth, to close their borders, cease travel and stop mass gatherings.”
Future developments Sands, a retired Bahamian 400-metre runner, left the door open for the Games to be contested at a later date. “Your NACAC Executive Board, in collaboration with the Bermuda National Athletics Association will continue to monitor all future developments with the view of the Bermuda 2020 CARIFTA Games being placed back on the calendar at the earliest possible date shortly after an all clear is given to resume normalcy,” the letter continued.
Bermuda has the distinction of hosting the games in 2004 when Jamaica’s Usain Bolt set a world under-20 200 metres record of 19.93 seconds. The record still stands today.
The Sands communique included advice to coaches and athletes. “With this in mind, I urge you to maintain your athletes fitness level for this eventuality. You are also welcomed to make suggestions for alternative dates,” it concluded. Jamaica topped the 2019 medal table last year. Competing in Grand Cayman, the Jamaicans won 85 medals, 36 gold, 33 silver, and 16 bronze. In addition, a dominant under-20 sprint double earned Jamaica’s Briana Williams the award for being the most outstanding athlete at the games.
In closing, Sands wrote: “In the meantime, I once again encourage you to please continue following the advisories from your respective health and governmental agencies in a collective effort to overcome this temporary setback.”
In comments reported on March 11, Donna Raynor, the head of the Bermuda track and field association, said, “Most of the athletes are coming in from the Caribbean and flying in on charters, not flying through the United States. That’s a good thing as so far we haven’t heard any incidents of the coronavirus in any of the Caribbean countries.”
Coronavirus cases have emerged in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. Both countries staged their Carifta Trials last weekend. (Jamaica Star) I n the latest cricket action to have occurred in Demerara, a team from Belle Vue, West Bank Demerara defeated their counterparts from Eccles, East Bank Demerara in a T20 match played over the weekend at the Belle Vue Ground.
Witnessed by a fairly large crowd, Belle Vue dominated the proceedings to emerge winners of the match by 6 wickets. Eccles won the toss and batted first, posting 163-7 in their 20 overs. They were able to flex their muscles in the powerplay overs by scoring at an alarming rate. But after the fielding restrictions were lifted, Belle Vue came roaring back into the game, and picked up a few quick wickets to turn the game in their favour by controlling their opponents. Ryan Singh (35), another R Singh (28), A Aaron (25), N Dhanraj (24) and A Khan (23 not out) were top-scorers for Eccles; while the Belle Vue top bowlers were Randy Ramrup (3-24), Curt Kipp (2-42) and Ryan Seecharran (1-19).
Belle Vue, in reply, scored 166- 4 in 19.1 overs, thereby winning the match by 6 wickets with 5 balls to spare. The Eccles side were overwhelmed by the style of play the Belle Vue side employed, and were forced on the back foot as the Belle Vue side freed their hands and scored runs that took the game away from them.
Ryan Seecharran (65 not out) was Belle Vue’s leading run-scorer, and he was supported by Krishna Singh with 41, Ajula Bowman with 14, Randy Ramrup with 12 not out, and Nicholas Rajpat with 11.
Eccles bowlers T George, N Dhanraj, A Roser and K Singh each bagged one wicket. A ction continued in the West Demerara Cricket Association (WDCA) President’s T20 competition with Zeeburg Sports Club vanquishing their La Grange counterparts in a one-sided affair played over the weekend at the Canal #2 Ground, WBD.
The combined efforts of Yutesh Dhanpaul, Ronaldo Renee and Andre Seepersaud earned Zeeburg the win by the commanding margin of 173 runs.
Zeeburg, having won the toss, elected to bat on a pitch where, in the past, they had scored countless runs and had maintained a reign of success. Their openers took to the crease and began an aerial assault on the weak La Grange bowling, smacking balls out of the ground with ease. The La Grange unit did not stand a chance, as Ronaldo Renee, continuing his fine form in the tournament, picked the gaps with consummate ease. A few wickets did fall, but this did not hamper the Zeeburg 1scoring rate.
At the end of their 20 overs, Zeeburg had posted 270 for 5, with Ronaldo Renee contributing 73 (7×6,3×4); Andre Seepersaud 51 (5×6,2×4); Yutesh “Avi” Dhanpaul 44 (2×6,7×4), and Malcom Hubbard 43 (4×6,3×4).
Needing a mammoth total of 271 for victory off 120 balls at a net run rate of 13.5 runs per over, La Grange faltered the entire match. With Zeeburg’s Dhanpaul being practically unplayable because of the turn and bounce he was extracting from the pitch, the La Grange team found themselves unable to fight their way out of this dilemma, especially as the run rate kept on climbing inexorably.
Eventually they capitulated under pressure, and were bowled out for 97 runs scored in 15.2 overs. Their top-scorers were J. Ramroop with 30 and J. Mohabir with 20.
Zeeburg bowler Yutesh “Avi” Dhanpaul bagging 4 for 13 with his off-spin, and medium-pacer Bisram Thomas bagged 2 for 20.
Zeeburg won the match by 173 runs. Coronavirus: Carifta suspended The medals for 2020 Carifta event winners were unveiled in September 2019 Belle Vue defeat Eccles in T20 encounter WDCA President’s T20 tourney… Zeeburg vanquish La Grange – as Dhanpaul, Renee, Seepersaud turn in sterling performances
Ronaldo Renee with 73; Yutesh Dhanpaul with 44 and 4 for 13; and Andre Seepersaud with 51 were instrumental in Zeeburg’s victory
22 GUYANATIMESGY.COM TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020 IKO Karate Academy hosts 1st grading exercise
Students of the Springlands Dojo with Shihan Jeffrey Wong, 7th Dan Black Belt, after the grading session last Sunday
Wi t h t h e grand launch of the International Karate Organization’s Karate Academy of Guyana taking place recently at the New Thriving Restaurant on Main Street, Georgetown, local karatekas have already begun to benefit from a much higher level of martial arts training in the country.
The branch of the IKO Karate Academy of Guyana that is located at Springlands, Corriverton, Upper Corentyne Berbice (Region 6), conducted in collaboration with the Radha Krishna Foundation and with more than 50 students who have been training for several months now, held its first grading examinations last Sunday. It was a very successful affair.
Speaking to the kara
tekas, who were clearly exhausted after a gruelling grading session, the Chief Instructor and Vice Chief Instructor warned the students that, with the IKO Karate Academy, testing would not be a proverbial walk in the park, but students must first have gained the appropriate amount of continuous experience at their current rank, fulfill the certification requirements, and successfully complete the testing procedure before they are promoted.
There will be no undue haste to promote karatekas from one belt rank to another; there would rarely be the skipping of belts; and kyu rank examinations would be conducted every six months, rather than the three months allowed by some other karate schools. For the Dan-grading sessions, traditional time requirements would be enforced, like a sixth dan having to wait seven years at sixth dan before being tested for seventh dan ranking.
The world karate governing body is the International KarateDo Organization that is headquartered in Miami, Florida. It is headed by American Eighth Dan Black Belt Shihan Adrian Ellis, a seven time United States National Champion, World Champion, Gold Medallist in the Goodwill Games, and an inductee into the Hall of Fame; who has been involved in martial arts for over forty years, and has taken the decision to found a traditional Shotokan karate academy in Guyana to propagate the goals of Master Funakoshi, the father of modern karate. Unlike many karate clubs and organizations which are currently operating locally with just one or two centrally located dojos -- a situation which often forces their students to travel long distances in order to train, much to their incon
venience -- the International Karate Organization’s Karate Academy of Guyana has opted instead to take karate-do to the people, and shall be setting up multiple dojos in all ten regions of Guyana to make karate-do accessible to all Guyanese.
The dojo in Springlands is just one of several which would be established in Berbice in a relatively short span of time.
The IKO Karate Academy of Guyana has as its Chief Instructor and Chairman Seventh Degree Black Belt Shihan Jeffrey Wong, a respected and highly active Shotokan Karate practitioner and instructor for more than fifty years. He is ably assisted by Professor Aubrey Mendonca, the Vice Chief Instructor and Vice Chairman.
Together, their plans for the new academy include having special ‘Kinder Karate’ classes that would focus on children between the ages of four and 12 years old; dedicated ‘Teen Karate’ classes that would cater for youths between the ages of 13 and 19; scheduled ‘Adult Karate’ classes for persons 20 years old and above; and specially arranged ‘Senior Karate’ training for mature persons who wish to become involved in, and benefit from, the fitness and self-defense advantages that participants derive from this combat sport.
Additionally, plans have been put in place to provide special corporate karate training to persons in the private and public sectors, and the expatriate community; training to schools countrywide, both public and p r i v a t e , where - b y instruc - tors would visit and conduct training at the schools’ facilities, since Karate-Do is a part of the syllabus of the Physical Education subject of the Caribbean Secondary Examination Council [CSEC]; and the academy would also be providing special training to schools and NGOs, including youth correctional facilities, orphanages etc.
Because Shihan Wong resides in Guyana, he intends to routinely visit all IKO Guyana Dojos and personally provide expert training to all karatekas, with the assistance of other skilled instructors attending each of the academies all year round, whilst Shihan Ellis shall be making consistent visits to the dojos in Guyana with the key objective being to sustain the high IKO standards throughout the entire local system.
WDCA Beacon Cafe 50 Overs competition…
The final match of the West Demerara Cricket Association (WDCA) Beacon Cafe 50 Overs Competition was contested between Mc Gill Superstars Sports Club and their Cornelia Ida Cricket Club (CICC) counterparts over the weekend.
Dubbed “The Battle of the Titans” because it involved two of the best teams on the West Bank of Demerara, this
encounter was a thrilling matchup which eventually saw CICC winning by 3 wickets to take the trophy and bragging rights when the action culminated at the Wales CDC ground.
Having won the toss, CICC elected to bowl first in overcast conditions on a damp wicket. Predictions were that the team batting first would go on to win the game, but a damp wicket was not factored into that equation. It was also expected that the CICC would struggle to cope without the services of their experienced captain Akshaya Persaud, who is currently on duty with the Guyana Jaguars.
The CICC side, however, prevailed against all those odds to pull off a stunning win against their much more experienced counterparts. Utilizing the damp wicket to their advantage, they restricted Mc Gill to a paltry 97 all out in 37 overs by their practically unplayable deliveries bowled on a pitch that was unfavourable to batting from the get go.
Struggling to read the line and length of each delivery, Mc Gill failed to register 100 runs, Travis Persaud’s 22, Balram Aron’s 15, Troy Persaud’s 14 and Diquan Murray’s 12 being their best scorers.
Bowling for CICC, Muhammad Wazidali and Harry Bissondyal each took 3 wickets for 7 runs.
Needing a below-par target of 98 for victory, the CICC side initially struggled to read the deliveries bowled, but by a string of luck managed to put up a fight to scrape a win. CICC ended on 100- 7 made in 35.4 overs, with Vickash Dhaniram’s 25, Arshad Azim’s 27 and Richard Sukhdeo’s 15 all contributing to the win.
Bowling for Mc Gill, Diquan Murray returned figures of 2-20, Abdul Razack 2-21, Kheshram Seyhodan 1-9 and Sudesh Persaud 1-7. Cornelia Ida defeat McGill Superstars to lift title The victorious CICC team
AAG pulls off successful Early Season Classic Running Brave, PPYC, GDF dominate
Adriel Austin bagged gold in the 400m and 800m races
Attoya Harvey cruised to the finish line in the 3000m event
Story and Photo by Jemima Holme
Local athletes were able to flex their muscles in spite of coronavirus restrictions when the final track event for the foreseeable future was contested over the weekend.
Despite the disappointment occasioned by cancellation of the CARIFTA Games lingering in the air, the nation’s junior athletes showed up at the National Track and Field facility at Leonora over the weekend, and posed stiff challenges to the seniors during the Athletics Association of Guyana’s Early Season Classic.
The seniors and juniors were encouraged to compete in the same pool in order to develop the youngsters and acquaint them with tougher competition.
The female 100m dash was dominated by the experienced Running Brave Athletics Club (RBAC), which swept the podium and the top six spots. Ruth Sanmoogan came in first with a time of 12.02s, while Princess Browne and Alisha Fortune clocked 12.30s and 12.41s for second and third respectively. Karese Lloyd, Shequita Marcus and Krystal Morris, all of the RBAC, occupied 4th to 6th positions.
Police Progressive Youth Club’s (PPYC’s) Hannah Reid shone in her pet event, the 200M race, clocking 25.14s for first place. The Guyana Defense Force pair of Euzeka Williams and Deborah Thorne were second and third with respective times of 24.23s and 25.58s.
In the male versions of those events, Davin Fraser of the PPYC crossed the line on 10.26s to beat a field of experienced contenders in the 100m dash. His club mate Emmanuel Archibald was second on 10.32s, while GDF’s Akeem Stewart completed the podium with 10.42s.
Stewart improved his showing in the 200m event by clocking 21.03s for first place, while New Amsterdam’s Nicholas Denheart came in second with 21.98s, and PPYC’s Stephon Boodie was third with 22.05s.
Top female athlete Adriel Austin had a marvellous two days on the track, bagging gold in the 400m and 800m events. In the 400m event, this RBAC athlete clocked 56.61s for the win, finishing ahead of Deborah Thorne who clocked 1.01.47s for second.
And at dusk on Sunday, Austin won the 800m event by crossing the line ahead of Upper Demerara’s Tia Azore and GDF’s Maria (Chiney) Urquhart, who completed the podium.
Courtley Bobb of the PPYC was the man to beat in the male 400m event. He clocked a winning time of 48.64s to defeat Running Brave’s Daniel Benjamin (49.08s) and GDF’s Godwin Humphrey (49.63s) into respective second and third places.
GDF’s Devaun Barrington, who missed the podium in the 400m event, had his moment of redemption in the 800M race when he crossed the line in a winning time of 1.53.74s,
Devan Barrington crosses the line (Jemima Holmes photos)
while PPYC’s Courtley Bobb clocked 1.55.13 for second and GDF’s Marlon Nicholson was third with 1.56.03.
RBAC’s Attoya Harvey opted for one distance event and aced it, clocking 11.27.03 for the 3000m gold. Her clubmate Rosemond Harvey was second with 12.25.57.
Odida Parkinson contested the male 3000m event with the sole intention to better his timings, as he was the only contender. Parkinson clocked 10.39.79.
In the field events, Leslain Baird of the GDF kept his slate clean with a Javelin throw of 71.77m for the win. Running Brave’s Randy Hamilton and Upper Demerara’s Joshua Tappin were second and third with respective throws of 54.14m and 52.33m.
Emmanuel Archibald took home the gold in his pet event, the long jump. He leapt 7.93m to defeat Tremaine Browne and Anthony Williams, whose leaps were measured at 7.80m and 7.64m to complete the podium.
Annalisa Barclay won the female long jump event with a leap of 5.65m. PPYC’s Odessa France leapt 4.87m for second while Savannah Adams leapt 4.86m for third.
Princess Browne of RBAC added a triple jump gold to her collection with a leap of 12.59m. Annalisa Barclay was close, but had to settle for second with 12.09m. Shainana Liverpool, also hailing from Upper Demerara, leapt 11.26m for third.
GDF’s Virlyn Gibson, lone athlete in the high jump event, cleared the bar at 1.56m.
Pride occupy pride of place NSC announces closure of public sports facilities Coronavirus reaction… CWI/PCL 4-Day Championships… – after mauling Jaguars in 8th round
The National Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal, ECD
In its bid to combat the spread of the coronavirus, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has moved to close a handful of public sports facilities.
“Considering the presence of the COVID-19 virus within our country, the NSC hereby announces the immediate closure of all of its facilities for a period of two (2) weeks, to facilitate sanitation work. The list of facilities includes Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, National Gymnasium, National Aquatic Centre, Colgrain Pool, National Racquet/Sports Resource Centre. “This is in keeping with guidelines from the ministries of the Presidency and Public Health, since these facilities are generally under mass usage.
Any queries/concerns could be addressed by calling the office at Homestretch Avenue on 225-6340/225-3560 between the hours of 08:00 and noon.
“The Department regrets any inconvenience caused, but would like to thank the public for their support and understanding,” A statement from the National Sports Commission has advised.
The points’ standings following the eighth round
The Barbados Pride of young lions have decimated the brooding felines known as the Guyana Jaguars, five-time defending champions of the CWI/PCL 4-Day Championships.
The Pride have surged to 134.8 points to consolidate their position at the zenith of the Professional Cricket League 4-Day tournament’s points table, while the Jaguars have been left in the proverbial dust to lick their wounds and contemplate on what might have been had they put in a better performance.
Bagging 18.8 points from their eighth-round encounter with the Jaguars, the Pride have copped 12 match points for bowling out the home team twice: for 55 and 94; and have also secured 3 first innings’ bowling points, and 3.8 pace bowling points. A commendable bowling performance on the Jaguars’ part ensured they would pick up the consolation of 3 first innings’ bowling points and 3 pace bowling points for a total allocation of 6 points. The Jaguars now have 91.8 points.
The majestic win that the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force pulled off in the eighth round has propelled them to second place on the points’ table. They obtained 12 match points, along with 5 batting points (maximum), 3 first innings bowling points, and 2.4 pace bowling points, for a 22.4 points’ boost. The Red Force now sit in second place, with 94.6 points to their credit.
The losers in that match, the Windward Islands Volcanoes, bagged only 4.4 points and have slumped to fifth place, after holding the third position at the end of the 7th round.
The Jamaica Scorpions also scored big in the eighth round, copping 23.2 points through the masterclass performance of Jermaine Blackwood et al. They obtained 5 batting points, 3 first innings’ bowling points, 3.2 pace bowling points, and 12 match points for the win. They have thus rocketed to a third position tie with the Guyana Jaguars on 91.8 points.
The Leeward Islands Hurricanes have bagged 4.4 points, which did little to move them from the bottom of the points’ table.
While all regional cricket has been suspended because of fears regarding the coronavirus, the ninth round of the PCL 4-Day tournament will see the Guyana Jaguars taking on the Windward Island Volcanoes at the National Stadium at Providence, while the Jamaica Scorpions would go head-to-head with the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force at Sabina Park in Jamaica, and the Barbados Pride will battle the Leeward Islands Hurricanes at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.
guyanatimesgy.com
AAG pulls off successful Early Season Classic
Nine-man race! The start of the 800m male event (Jemima Holmes photo)
Page 23 Running Brave,
PPYC, GDF dominate
Coronavirus reaction… NSC announces closure of public sports facilities Page 23
CWI/PCL 4-Day Championships… Pride occupy pride of place – after mauling Jaguars in 8th round
