Proposed COVID-19 mitigation plan
DEAR EDITOR,
The leadership of the Citizenship Initiative has noticed the alarming rise in COVID-19 infections and deaths attributed to the emergence of several strains of the virus characterized by higher transmissibility. After assessing the situation, and given Guyana’s geographical proximity to Brazil, which is currently the global epicenter of the disease, turning out alarming national numbers of infections and deaths (4,000+ deaths per day on several occasion) we have begun to see signs that the new variant may have found a foothold in Guyana and may turn our national position towards critical levels. Because the Covid virus has the potential to spread exponentially over a short period of time, rapid, decisive and unified action is needed to curb the virus’s progress.
The Hon. The Minister for Health, Frank Anthony, on April 7th, 2021 publicly acknowledged that Covid’s patients are admitted with a ‘sick’ form of the virus, which means one that causes the symptoms to start even faster in groups younger, less vulnerable. Here is a summary of the local national figures for 14 days (27-March to 9-April):
Total New Cases Recorded: 951
Total Deaths: 27
Average New Cases of the Day: 68
Average Mortality of the Day: 2
Regions 3, 4 and 6 remain the main hotspots for infections and deaths, attributed to the high population density and commercial activity in these areas.
Measures to consider
The following measures are proposed to the PPP government for consideration. The opposition parties, the National Covid Task Force, the Ministry of Health, Joint Services, Religious and Society Leaders and Public and Private Sectors are all expected to play their role in implementing measures and monitoring the situation in a collaborative effort. Given the urgency of the impending situation, these measures should be implemented almost immediately upon consideration. The week of April 12th-16th can be used to review and remove the plan. The recommendations are as follows:
1. From April 19th, reinstate the curfew from 6PM – 6AM Monday – Thursday, and on Friday-Sunday, the total of all non-essential activities nationwide is locked down. The Joint Services and the police are to be used to establish strategic command check points from which joint patrols are used to provide coverage along the high density population areas of Regions 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10.
2. Establish and enforce a mandatory mask mandate for people traveling daily, whether using public transport or personal vehicles. Shared Services enforces this through inspections, and anyone who breaches this will be subject to a heavy fine and mandatory quarantine for 14 days (domestic or institutional).
3. Close all bars, restaurants, clubs, betting / games houses, markets, barbershops, salons, malls and other non-essential business entities immediately between April 19th – May 2nd. Cancel all competitions and sporting events until a subsequent Impact Assessment on the effectiveness of measures is undertaken. Food markets, supermarkets, pharmacies and hardware stores that sell cleaning supplies to allow only takeaway or distribution services, but may operate between 6AM – 6PM for pick-up, and 6AM – 9PM for delivery. Supermarkets are always limited to 50 percent capacity for shoppers, with current social distance, mask wear and sanitary mandates taking full effect.
4. Immediate closure of the border with Brazil, and restrictions on all incoming and outgoing travel, except for emergency or diplomatic reasons. All applications to Guyana from Brazil MUST submit a negative Covid test that takes no more than 48 hours before travel, and MUST submit to an ORGANIZATIONAL (not home) quarantine for 14 days. No exceptions will be made. Current restrictions in place for other international travel to remain in force.
5. Public bans of more than 4 people are to be banned, except when approved by the Covid task force for building work purposes or other legitimate reasons. No public weddings, funerals or other social events are allowed. Anyone found to have violated this should be fined $ 50,000 and must receive COMPULSORY institutional quarantine for 14 days. The task force should establish strategic quarantine facilities throughout the country (use of schools, places of worship, etc.) that provide adequate social isolation coverage. No exceptions.
6. Establish emergency notification protocols with mobile phone service providers (GTT and Digicel) so that important updates, news and guidance can be quickly communicated nationwide through mass messages from the Covid task force. Use other corporations like DDL, Banks DIH, etc. to mobilize sanitation crews to thoroughly clean the high-density population zones daily. It is recommended that army reserves, police recruits and other such personnel be used to provide an adequate workforce.
7. Open the National Covid Vaccination Campaign to ALL citizens and residents, establishing strategic vaccination centers throughout the high-density population areas. Conduct vaccine sensitization campaigns to educate the public and clear misconceptions or fears about taking the Covid vaccine. Prioritizing relaxation measures only in communities where widespread vaccination (at least the first dose) has occurred in at least 80 percent of the population. This should motivate other communities to follow suit for a quick return to ‘normality’.
8. All schools, universities and educational establishments to remain closed. Online learning platforms should be the primary means of providing educational material. The Ministry of Education should be monitoring all jurisdictions closely and reporting real-time changes to the Covid task force.
9. From May 2nd, and fortnightly, a comprehensive Impact Assessment of the effectiveness of measures will be in place to determine which areas require additional attention or adjustments. Only when there has been a marked reduction in infections for seven (7) consecutive days can restraints be gradually begun. Data to be made public daily via social media, Covid task force website and emergency push notifications mentioned in measure 6.
10. Closely monitor the regional situation, and liaise with Covid task forces in Suriname, Brazil and Venezuela (Suriname has already implemented additional measures after recognizing the threat of the faster-spreading variant originating in Brazil) to share information, updates and strategies. Taken together, this will provide an accurate insight into the regional position and guide further measures. As the spread of the virus decreases, cooperative decisions can be made to relax restrictions and return DEGREE to normality, with an end goal as late June (Q2) 2021.
The Citizenship Initiative continues to offer its support, workforce and data to government and other major stakeholders as we work together to break the spread of this virus, protect our population and is a responsible sister nation to our regional neighbors.
Correctly,
Shaz Ally
The Citizenship Initiative