Following a request to the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF), lawyers have been classified as essential workers.
A recent notice in the Official Gazette confirmed the amendment of the previously gazetted list of essential services that are permitted to operate during the curfew being implemented to restrict the movement of people in a bid to stem the spread of the deadly COVID-19.
Saying that there is sometimes need for attorneys to be in contact with their clients even after regular working hours, the Guyana Bar Association (GBA) had written to the NCTF and requested that attorneys be classified as essential workers.
An April 9th order states that only essential-service workers can be out after the curfew, which runs from 6pm to 6am, begins. All other persons can be arrested by the police, who have enforcement powers to ensure compliance with the measures.
Following the Bar Association’s request, however, the NCTF in a press release issued on April 17 had said that it was considering the request.
The GBA had made it clear that lawyers were not seeking any provision which would see them returning to their offices, but specifically referenced being able to see detained clients during the curfew.
In a previous interview with Stabroek News, President of the GBA attorney Teni Housty had explained that in order to properly serve their clients and facilitate access to justice, lawyers could not operate under the current curfew arrangements.
Explaining the scope of the Association’s request to the NCTF, Secretary of the GBA attorney Pauline Chase had said that that they were seeking exemption for lawyers while performing services such as attending police stations to advise, consulting with and representing clients who are in custody, including during the curfew hours when clients may be most vulnerable.
She had said, too, that there is need for attendance at court for hearings which cannot be facilitated by way of electronic means. She said that while the online portal ZOOM works for some cases, not all cases are suitable for hearing by such means.
Despite the permission granted to operate, essential services are required to make the necessary arrangements to facilitate social and physical distancing. These include requiring the wearing of masks, ensuring that all staff and other persons maintain physical distancing of at least six feet in or outside of their establishment, if in a line to enter the establishment; and determining the number of persons that may be permitted in the establishment at any one time.
