The Government of Guyana will this week lift physical distancing measures having recently recorded low numbers of positive COVID-19 cases and deaths, Director of the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) Colonel Nazrul Hussain yesterday said.
Speaking to Stabroek News, Hussain said that the restrictions on all social gatherings will be lifted. He was however quick to note that vaccination and testing requirements will remain in place to curtail the spread of the virus which has officially claimed 1224 lives.
Stabroek News understands that while the order is being drafted, the NCTF is still debating the mask mandates. Hussain said that the inputs of health officials will guide their decision.
He added that emphasis will continue to be placed on the need for vaccination.
Two years ago, measures were introduced to tackle COVID-19 resulting in restrictions on every-day activities.
Guyana’s two international airports were closed for months along with schools, non-essential businesses, places of worship and other institutions.
Last month, the NCTF announced the lifting of the national curfew.
The announcement came one day after President Irfaan Ali signalled that his administration was moving in that direction.
The curfew, first instituted in 2020, was in effect from midnight to 4 am after several adjustments.
In a notice, the Task Force also announced that swimming pools are permitted to operate at 50% capacity, although swimmers are expected to be vaccinated.
Two Sundays ago at a press conference at State House, President Ali hinted at the changes to accelerate a path towards full reopening of the country.
During that announcement, the President said the COVID-19 locator form required by passengers on arrival here was being abolished. He explained that the same information is recorded on the immigration form making it somewhat redundant and time consuming to process passengers.
