Officials of Guyana and Suriname met via video conference on Monday 20 April 2020,
with a view to establishing modalities for cooperation to combat the novel
Coronavirus, COVID-19.
Both sides underscored the importance of operating in a spirit of cooperation and
strong solidarity in an effort to fight the disease.
The two sides also discussed the need for cooperation in the areas of health, security, immigration, and social protection, to
strengthen both their national and collective responses to the crisis caused by the
global pandemic.
They noted that both countries have instituted measures, in accordance with international guidelines, in order to stop the spread of the virus amongst their citizens.
The parties highlighted their successes and challenges of managing the disease on the
medical front and agreed to establish a mechanism for information sharing between
their health personnel.
They noted the importance of maintaining a healthy and safe population to minimize the effects of the disease.
With both sides of the Guyana/Suriname border being closed, the Parties agreed to
immediately implement measures to ensure that riverine communities are able to
commute and conduct their businesses, to and from points within their respective
countries, under proper surveillance in order to ensure that the protocols to combat
the spread of the novel Coronvirus are not compromised.
The two sides emphasized
that the arrangements that have been put in place will respect the fact that their
respective borders remain closed and that their nationals must not endeavor to enter
into the territory of the other.
In this regard, the Parties have established a mechanism for information sharing
between the relevant institutions and agencies of the two countries to allow for the
conduct of legitimate movements on the Corentyne River and to prevent illegal
activities, including the movements of persons and goods between the two countries.
The two sides reiterated their commitment to continue to work together to meet the
challenges posed by the global pandemic.
