The private sector in Guyana has been given a welcome boon by the government, after the effect that global supply chain bottlenecks and war in eastern Europe have had on commodity prices and working-class pockets.
After nearly two years of restrictions on social, physical and economic activity to curb the spread of the novel COVID-19, the Guyana government has lifted these ‘lockdown’ measures, clearing the way for a near complete rebound of economic activity.
In an updated public health ordinance published on Monday, the government revoked the previous regulations and listed a few guidelines for citizens to follow to stay safe.
The guidelines state that businesses and places of worship are only mandated to have handwashing stations and hand sanitizing equipment installed, and that persons are encouraged – not mandated – to wear face masks.
The government has even removed the mandate on face masks in public, explaining that persons should wear them just to be safe, but are not required to.
It is no longer a requirement by the government that persons be fully vaccinated to enter public buildings, but where anyone requires proof of vaccination to enter premises, it can be in any form including digital once it is identifiable and includes the stamp of the applicable country.
The regulations only require proof of vaccination (a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days) if someone wants to enter Guyana.
The decision to lift restrictions was influenced by promising declines in COVID-19 cases. Following the Christmas season, there had been a spike in January with as many as 1,000 new cases being observed daily. On Monday, the Ministry of Health’s daily report showed three new cases being recorded that day, with only five persons left in the government’s intensive care unit (ICU).
The new government had started a long, gradual reopening of the economy shortly after it assumed office in August 2020, making sure vaccinated persons enjoyed more freedom of access and movement to boost inoculation rates.
The Government intends to continue its testing drives in collaboration with licensed private healthcare providers. It continues to promote vaccination to protect against the worst impacts of COVID-19.
