Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony on Monday stated that the country’s current COVID-19 travel protocols are being reviewed.
He made this disclosure during his COVID-19 update where he noted that there hasn’t been a high number of imported cases since the reopening of borders and air travel here. Anthony stated that the total number of imported cases that Guyana has reported remains at 53 and has been that way for some time now.
The current travel protocols state that persons desirous of entering Guyana are required to present a negative PCR COVID-19 test. This PCR test must be no older than 72 hours and if persons’ tests are older they will be subjected to another test at the port of entry.
“So that has been the protocol that we have been following and we are currently reviewing our protocol,” he said while adding that as vaccinations increase, authorities will now look at whether they can have both PCR tests and proof of vaccination as a requirement to enter Guyana.
He iterated, “We are reviewing our protocol and based on what the technical people have advised we will probably make changes. At this time however we continue to have the same protocols that we have instituted.”
Meanwhile yesterday, the minister was asked about persons misplacing their vaccination cards and needing replacements. To this end he stated that those claims will have to be checked and verified before replacement cards are issued.
“If there are any persons who claim they have misplaced their cards then we will have to go through our records to see whether it’s a genuine case or if somebody is trying to fake it,” Anthony explained. He added that the world is opening up and as a result more and more countries are looking for persons to present their vaccination cards as a requirement for travel. Further, unvaccinated persons should not want to travel and put others at risk.
