Guyanese government defends its decision of new COVID vaccination mandate

Guyana: The Guyana government has defended their decision of expanding the COVID-19 vaccine necessities for public access to privately-owned facilities. The government stated that this decision had been taken to ensure the safety of its citizens.

Guyanese Health Minister – Dr Frank Anthony cited that, “It is one way of assuring that the environments in public are much safer because if you have vaccinated people, then the chances are we will have a much safer environment when we visit those places.”

The statement was issued by the Guyanese government on Monday. The Business companies in Guyana began implementing new COVID-19 measures planned by the government.

As per the new guidelines, people who are entering public buildings, as well as private businesses and places of worship, need to be vaccinated against the COVID-19, showing proof of a negative COVID-19 test result.

While the opposition has called on the Guyanese government to conduct a meeting of all stakeholders in order to discuss what it described as the authoritarian measures and a way forward, the opposition added, “We are urging the government to immediately revoke the measure which we see as unconstitutional & immediately engage in an emergency stakeholders forum to chart a prudent and responsible national COVID-19 management plan.

Following the statement, the opposition stated, “The PPP must promptly cease and stop from the wild and reckless approach it has adopted which only benefits its followers and financiers and leaves the people of the nation isolated, locked out, and vulnerable.”

Republic Bank of Guyana has announced that it is implementing the new measures. On the other hand, Giftland Group has stated that it is planning to adjust to the new restrictions, which will take effect on Thursday.

According to the statistics, so far, around 318,569 individuals have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while around 166,763 individuals got their second jab and are fully vaccinated now.