-may deny entry to arrivals from China
Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Karen Cummings yesterday announced that government has taken a decision to close its embassy in China due to the coronavirus epidemic and is also working to have Guyanese students there returned home.
“…We have decided to close our embassy in China…,” Cummings yesterday told reporters on the sidelines of an event at D’Urban Park.
Cummings also said that there are currently Guya-nese students in Wuhan, China, where the virus was first reported and she said they will be returned home in “due time” even as she called on their immediate relatives to be patient.
“…We have students there… We told them to stay at one place… to follow in fact the lead that the Chinese would have told them… I hope they will follow the advisory given in China. But I know there are persons and parents who are a little agitated and would like their children to come home but in due time that will be done. I just want them to be patient,” she said.
Cummings made this disclosure one day after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared coronavirus a “global emergency”.
Confirmed infections from the outbreak numbered over 11,000 in China up to yesterday, with the total number of deaths reaching close to 250.
Earlier this week, health authorities here had announced that although Guyana’s risk for the presence of the coronavirus is relatively “low”, the country is “ready and equipped” in the event of an outbreak of infections.
According to PAHO/ WHO, coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases, such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). Com-mon symptoms of the virus include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties. More severe infections can cause pneumonia, kidney failure and even death.
The cause of the infection is unknown. Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people.
‘Quarantine protocols’
Meanwhile, in an advisory issued yesterday morning, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that persons arriving from China will be subject to quarantine protocols, while also indicating that they could be denied entry.
“Persons in China who plan to travel to Guyana are asked to defer those plans until further notice as they are likely to be denied entry. Those in Guyana, who plan to travel to China, are advised to postpone those plans. Persons arriving in Guyana from China, will be subject to quarantine protocols and may be quarantined in a health facility or at home, depending on the outcome of the risk assessment,” the advisory noted.
As it relates to recent travellers, the advisory urged those who would have arrived here after January 1st to contact their nearest health facility urgently and to remain at home for 14 days after date of arrival.
The advisory further stated that should “flu like” symptoms arise within 14 days after return to Guyana from China or another “highly” affected country, persons are asked to contact the hotline on 592-227-8683 ext. 215.
“Those who must travel to and from China are advised to take precautions against contracting the virus by avoiding close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections, crowds and the consumption of uncooked food; universal precautions to take include the frequent washing of hands, especially after direct contact with ill persons or their environment,” the advisory stated.
Additionally, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), in Facebook post yesterday, also advised travellers that if they develop symptoms during travels or upon arrival into Guyana or any territory, to inform a flight attendant, a port health officer or a border services officer immediately.
“They will determine whether you need further medical assessment,” the CJIA said.
The airport also pleaded with travellers to cooperate for the screening process, if requested by airport/ health officials.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Shamdeo Persaud had said at the press conference earlier this week that screening has started at the various ports of entry across the country, including the Eugene F Correia Inter-national Airport and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, where the Public Health Ministry has been sensitising officials on how to deal with suspected cases.
The Georgetown Public Hospital and the Diamond Regional Hospital have been identified as the two facilities for isolation of any passengers suspected to have the coronavirus.
The Port Health Office at CJIA is always opened, the airport said yesterday.
