The Private Sector Commission (PSC) has written to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF), Joseph Harmon, requesting that the body relax the mandatory quarantine of incoming passengers if tests are shown as negative.
PSC Chairman, Gerry Gouveia labelled the measures “unrealistic”. He said persons being required to be tested before they arrive in Guyana and to then be tested again and quarantined for two weeks is impractical.
See full letter below:
May 28, 2020
Hon. Lt. CoI. (Ret’) Joeseph Harmon
Chief Executive Officer
National Task force – COVID-19
Shiv Chanderpaul Drive
Bourda
Georgetown
Dear Hon. Lt. CoI. (Ret’) Joeseph Harmon,
The Private Sector Commission sends its compliments to you and wishes to make reference to the approval by the Government of Guyana to allow overseas Guyanese re-entry amidst COVID- 19 health concerns. To this end, the PSC welcomes this decision of the Government to allow Guyanese stranded abroad to return home.
While the PSC acknowledges that a number of public health and safety guidelines have been implemented to protect all citizens, it is equally important for the most convenient measures to be employed during this COVID-19 pandemic, particularly as it relates to the need to submit the
Repatriation form to Guyanese embassies/consulates.
In this regard, the PSC is humbly requesting that these measures be relaxed to facilitate the smooth re-entry of all Guyanese where for example:
(i) The mandatory 14 days quarantine should be exempted if a negative PCR test was done 48 hours prior to travelling, in addition to mandatory screening and testing upon entry into Guyana;
(ii) provided that both screening (before and after entry into Guyana) showed negative result, then such persons should be allowed to be sent home and/or quarantined at home.
Grateful for your urgent consideration on this matter.
