Brazil has restricted land travel across the border with Guyana at Lethem as it has intensified its response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The Brazilian government yesterday imposed the restriction on land travel for the next 15 days.
Regional Vice Chairman of Region Nine Karl Singh last night confirmed to Stabroek News that the border at Lethem has been closed. He, however, noted that given the fact that many Guyanese and Brazilians cross the border daily, special arrangements have been put in place to facilitate this.
Persons will be granted access to the border towns from 7 am to 10 am and 4 pm to 7 pm. However, those crossing from Guy-ana will only be allowed to access Bon Fim, where many Guyanese reside.
Singh last night told Stabroek News that the restriction will have a severe impact on the region’s economy since many of the stores in Lethem depend on Brazilian shoppers.
“If the stores are not open, the Brazilians will not come over to shop and most of stores employ people from Lethem, Moco Moco and St. Ignatius. So if no one is shopping, the stores remain closed and the employees won’t get paid… yes it will take a toll on Lethem,” Singh explained.
The restriction will not affect “the free traffic of road cargo transportation, nor the execution of cross-border humanitarian actions previously authorized by the local health authorities; as well as the traffic of residents of twin cities with an exclusively land border line,” Folha De S.Paulo, a Brazilian news site, reported.
Meanwhile, some indigenous communities have begun to take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
So far, three indigenous communities, Santa Rosa, in Region One, Aishalton, in South Rupununi in Region Nine and St Cuth-bert’s Mission in Region Five, have announced measures, including restricting access to their communities in the case of the first.
Santa Rosa will be closed to entry by boats from Charity from next Monday to April 5, 2020. In a Facebook post, the Regional Democratic Council said this is a preventative measure due to the coronavirus pandemic. The notice was issued by the Santa Rosa Council.
Last night, Aishalton Toshao Michael Thomas said the main entrance to the community at the Kabanwao Bridge would be closed within 24 hours. He explained that a gate will be set up with police and medical outposts at the bridge to monitor the movement of people and conduct health checks. He also stated that persons have been informed of preventative measures that should be adopted to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
St Cuthbert’s Toshao Beverley Clenkian, in a Facebook post, also announced that her community has put systems in place to monitor persons who are passing through. It was stated that medical personnel will be placed at the entrance of the community to provide information and carry out a medical check on travellers.
