All non-essential land travel to Region Nine has been restricted by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) after a Brazilian town located on the border opposite Lethem confirmed its first case of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
On Tuesday night, Brazilian authorities confirmed that a person, who resides in Bon Fim, was diagnosed with the disease after he travelled to the state capital Boa Vista, where he came into contact with carriers of COVID-19. Bon Fim is located close to the Takutu Bridge, which connects Guyana to Brazil.
According to Lethem residents, the Brazilian who was diagnosed is well-known to them and he would regularly traverse back and forth as he has relatives in Lethem, where his father also owns a shop.
Regional Health Officer (RHO) Neil Ulchman told Stabroek News yesterday that although Bon Fim is a Brazilian town, Region Nine health official are conducting their own investigation, which is currently ongoing. At the time he was contacted, he said they did not ask anyone to self-quarantine. He added that anyone from the region who has been in contact with the person should contact him immediately.
Consequent to the case, all non-essential travel via land to and from the region has been restricted by the RDC. This was confirmed by Regional Executive Officer Carl Parker who told Stabroek News that the Kurupukari crossing will be closed after the last set of vehicles cross over the river today. This is done via a pontoon. He said those restrictions will be in place for two weeks.
However, cargo trucks, vehicles transporting security forces and private vehicles with no more than two persons will be allowed to cross. This system is to ensure that Region Nine residents get food and medical supplies.
Although bus services have been informed of this decision, Stabroek News was told that employees of the Cindy Bus Service are telling persons that they will continue to work as normal while other bus services indicated that they will be transporting goods.
Meanwhile, a number of emergency measures have been put in place to prevent an outbreak of COVID-19 in the region. A statement by the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) revealed that a COVID-19 Regional Committee was formed with the RHO as its chairman.
It was disclosed by the RHO that all mass gatherings are to be suspended, villages in the region will be fumigated, the border will only be opened for medical emergencies and food supplies, the Community Policing Group will be monitoring villages located close to the Brazilian border while the RCCI will be appealing to businesses to ensure they have sanitisers and other disinfectants readily available at reasonable prices. All community sports grounds and parks will also be closed while public spaces in Lethem are being sanitisied.
The RDC will also be providing a boat, engine and fuel, which will be used to monitor the Takutu River to prevent persons from crossing by boat.
