New Amsterdam council announces sterner steps to contain COVID-19

The New Amsterdam Mayor and Town Council (M&TC) has put in place stronger measures to reduce the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Department of Public Information (DPI) said that the municipality’s public relations department yesterday afternoon advised that all corner-side bars, night clubs and beauty/hair parlours, barber shops, tattoo and piercing shops are to be closed immediately.

“Fish shops and hangout spots are to be closed completely,” the advisory said, according to DPI.

A new 4:30 pm curfew has now been implemented for supermarkets and grocery shops as opposed to the  7 pm deadline which was announced last week and proprietors are urged to monitor the number of customers seeking services at once.

Restaurants are only allowed to offer delivery services until 4 pm, DPI said and pharmacies are to be closed at 6pm instead of the previously announced time of 8pm.

The New Amsterdam Municipal Business Complex will be closed today 31 for a sanitisation exercise. While one of the town’s busiest thoroughfare – along Pitt Street – will be closed immediately and the area will also undergo a sanitisation exercise tomorrow.

The Council said that on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the municipal market will offer services up to noon and will be closed for the entire day on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Only persons selling essential products including meat and vegetables will be allowed to vend in the market, DPI said.

All religious houses of worship are asked to close until further notice.

“Residents are instructed to be indoors by 7pm. Failure to comply with the new guidelines will see the Guyana Police Force taking necessary action”, DPI added.