Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_03_19_2020

THURSDAY 19th March, 2020

' No.105944

Guyana records fifth case of Coronavirus …victim from same Good Hope family …President issues strict orders to slow spread

SEE STORY ON PAGE 13

-house-to-house visitations and inspections, access of funds among measures ordered Sir Shridath says withdrawal of CARICOM team regrettable 12 PAGE

‘No one will be randomly targeted’ …AG assures executive orders will not be arbitrarily imposed

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Indigenous villages 12 close doors on visitors PAGE

As it stands, the World Health Organisation has confirmed more than 205,000 coronavirus cases worldwide, with the pandemic now affecting over 170 countries. There are many sources for tracking cases, some more reliable than others.

Here is a round-up of confirmed cases in 10 of the world's hardest-hit countries. We have sourced the figures either from the ongoing tally of cases by Johns Hopkins University or directly from health authorities.

…as part of measures to reduce spread of coronavirus

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 19, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 19, 2020

President issues strict orders to slow spread of COVID-19 -house-to-house visits and inspections, access of funds among measures ordered

AS Guyana continues to safeguard its citizens from the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), President David Granger has issued executive orders in alignment with the Public Health Ordinance.

The orders, which were gazetted on March 16, 2020, direct various ministers of government to take “necessary steps” to guard against the spread of COVID-19, which was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

According to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

The coronavirus outbreak reportedly originated in Wuhan, China, and has since spread to many other countries, including some in the Americas. Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, coughs, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

With Guyana recording four cases of COVID-19 so far, President Granger, through the order, said immediate action is necessary to address the virus. In that regard, he directed Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, to “restrain, segregate and isolate” persons suffering from the disease or those who may be affected from exposure to the infection.

This and other measures

will be executed in accordance with the Public Health Ordinance and international standards to prevent and control the spread of the disease. It is also provided for under Article 24 of the Constitution which states that every citizen of Guyana has the right to free medical treatment. President Granger, as part of the order, has even called on the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and other law enforcement agencies to provide assistance with the enforcement of the various measures, where necessary.

Among the menu of measures ordered by President Granger was the containment of persons who may show signs of COVID-19 and the provision of curative treatment for persons who are suffering the disease.

The President also directed Minister Lawrence to remove, disinfect and destroy the personal effects, goods, buildings and any other article, material or thing exposed to infection from the disease.

The minister was also ordered to prevent the spread of the disease on the seas, rivers and waters of Guyana, and on the high seas within twelve miles from the baseline, as well as on land.

“Diagnose, prevent or check the disease, including the prohibition or restriction of movement of persons and public and private conveyances of any kind whatsoever within and to and from an infected area,” said the Head of State.

Article 148 (3) (b) of the constitution provides that a person may be deprived of his or her freedom of movement through the imposition of restrictions by law on the person’s movement or residence within Guyana that

are reasonably required in the interests of public health.

While the restriction of movement might be in place, President Granger directed Minister Lawrence to ensure that house-to-house visits and

tals or camps for the reception, isolation and treatment of any person suffering from any infectious disease.

Aside from the public health minister, President Granger directed the Minister

President David Granger

inspections are conducted.

In relation to fatal cases, he ordered the minister to ensure that there is speedy burial or cremation of the dead.

HOSPITAL/CAMPS Also, if the public health minister sees it fit, she is allowed to provide one or more hospitals or camps for the reception, isolation and treatment of persons suffering from COVID-19. This directive is provided for under Section 20 (1) of the Public Health Ordinance, which states that the President may cause to be provided in such part of Guyana as he may deem fit, one or more hospi-

of Education to take all measures to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in all educational institutions in Guyana. The Minister of Citizenship was also ordered to take all measures to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19, in accordance with migration laws. The airports have since been closed to international flights.

FUNDING Funding the various initiatives will be handled by the Minister of Finance, who was directed to expend from the Consolidate Fund such sums of money as may be necessary for the effectual

carrying out of any or all of the measures listed.

Section 20 (2) of the Public Health Ordinance provides that the President may, in case of an emergency, expend from the public funds of Guyana such sums of money as may be necessary for the effectual carrying out of any or all of the provisions of Part III of the Ordinance which concerns “notifiable infectious diseases.”

“All government agencies and local government authorities are urged to render assistance and cooperation to undertake critical, urgent and appropriate response and measures in a timely manner to curtail and eliminate the COVID-19 threat,” said President Granger.

He also said all citizens, residents, tourists and members of the private sector must act in accordance with the law and comply with any lawful directives and advisories issued by appropriate government agencies to prevent further transmission of the COVID-19 and ensure the safety and wellbeing of all.

MANDATORY QUARANTINE Guyana Chronicle reported on Wednesday that following allegations that three of the persons, confirmed with COVID-19, have been flouting voluntary self-quarantine guidelines, persons in Guyana suspected or confirmed as having the disease will now face mandatory quarantining at Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) facilities.

The three confirmed cases have since been moved to one such quarantine facility. The country has four facilities.

The four facilities have capacity to host up to 421 per-

sons within three categories of risks, while the ministry will look at the possibility of expanding capacity should the need arise. “There is no more self-quarantine, all quarantine will now be done at the Ministry of Public Health facilities,” said Minister Lawrence.

Minister Lawrence emphasised, however, that even as the ministry has an obligation to protect the health of the public and keep the public informed, it also has an obligation to protect the medical information of patients.

Guyana’s first confirmed case of the coronavirus was recorded on March 11, after the 52-year-old patient died.

The three other confirmed cases thus far have all been persons related to the deceased patient.

Minister Lawrence explained that the three categories under which persons will face quarantine include: probable cases, which speak to persons who have been tested for the virus, but the results, were inconclusive; suspected cases, which are persons who have been exposed to persons, confirmed with the virus; and confirmed cases, that is, persons who have tested positive for the virus.

Persons who suspect that they may have the virus are advised not to visit a health facility, but instead call on several provided hotlines where it can be arranged for a health team to visit. Lawrence noted that additional hotline numbers have been added, and staff has been increased to deal with this area. The numbers are 226-7480; 229-7490; 2311166; 227-4986; 624-6674; 624-2819; 624-9355.

CARICOM food security response plan meeting AS countries ramp up safety measures to address the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ministers of Agriculture within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) will meet today, March 19, 2020, via video conference to create a food security

response blueprint.

The discussion at the CARICOM Secretariat, Liliendaal, Georgetown, will begin at 10:00 hours.

During the meeting, the CARICOM Secretariat will present a framework document that should cover the region’s agri-food response

and mitigation plans, while the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the Caribbean Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), the

Caribbean Private Sector Organisation, and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) will make presentations.

CARICOM’s partner agencies, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the Inter-American Institute for

Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), and the World Food Programme (WFP), along with private sector interest groups will have representatives sharing in the meeting.

It is anticipated that the forum will conclude with an agreed position on how CARICOM will

handle food security issues that may arise from COVID-19, as well as ensuring that the necessary support mechanisms are in place, both regionally and nationally, to safeguard food security for member states.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2020

Italy coronavirus deaths rise by record 475 in a day (BBC) The number of people dying from coronavirus in Italy has risen by 475 in one day to nearly 3,000 the biggest increase since the outbreak.

There are a total of 35,713 confirmed cases in the country, with more than 4,000 having successfully recovered.

Lombardy, the worst-hit region, recorded 319 deaths

in one day.

Italy is the world’s worst affected country after China, where the virus originated last year. At least 8,758 people have died, most in China.

The vast majority of the more than 200,000 confirmed cases - 80% - have occurred in Europe and the Western Pacific region, which includes much of Asia, the World Health Or-

ganization (WHO) says.

Many countries have taken drastic measures, including social distancing and cancelling major events to help slow transmission and reduce pressure on the health systems.

“But to suppress and control epidemics, countries must isolate, test, treat and trace,” the WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday.

Italy has been on lockdown for almost two weeks as authorities try to halt the progress of the virus.

People have been asked to stay indoors - but the number of deaths has continued to spiral.

The WHO’s emergencies director, Mike Ryan, said this was probably due

to the “astonishing” number of cases within the health systems, as well as the high number of elderly people in the population at large.

Dr Tedros hailed the beginning of the first vaccine trial so soon after the emergence of the virus as “an incredible achievement”.

The first human trial of a vaccine began in the US at the Kaiser Permanente research facility in Seattle earlier this week. But experts warn that it will be many months before it is clear if it will work.

How bad is the situation in the rest of Europe?

Spain now has 598 dead and 13,716 infections. An inquiry is to be launched into the deaths of at least 17 residents of a nursing home

Thursday, March 19, 02:00hrs - 03:30 hrs

in Madrid, where dozens of cases of Covid-19 have been reported.

In France, the number of confirmed cases grew by more than 16% on Tuesday, reaching 7,730, while the death toll rose to 175, with 7% of the dead aged under 65.

In the UK, the number of dead has reached 104.

Germany has 12 deaths and 8,198 cases. Chancellor Angela Merkel is to make the unusual step of speaking to the nation in a TV address later on Wednesday. She is not expected to announce new measures, but rather appeal to citizens to help fight the virus.

What’s happening across Europe’s borders?

Travellers from outside the EU are being turned away from airports and borders after the 27-country bloc imposed a 30-day ban to halt the spread of coronavirus.

EU leaders agreed that internal borders that have been erected in recent days should come down.

The ban will not affect Europeans going home or cross-border workers.

UK citizens are also not affected by it because an interim Brexit deal still ties the UK to EU rules.

The ban specifically covers all EU states as well as countries within the Schengen border-free zone, including Iceland, Switzerland, Norway and Liechtenstein.

All citizens will be given help returning home, and Germany has said it will continue a drive to fly home tens of thousands of tourists stranded abroad, from Morocco and Egypt to the Philippines and Argentina.

In many countries, people have been urged to stay at home as much as possible and only essential travel is allowed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2020

2 Trini women catch COVID-19 ... return home from Guadeon ill-fated cruise loupe, placed in quarantine

(TRINIDAD GUARDIAN) The two latest novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases announced by the Ministry of Health on Tuesday night were two Trinidadian women who were aboard the Costa Favolosa cruise ship that was anchored off Guadeloupe for several days after not being allowed to enter Martinique.

The ship was denied entry to Martinique after passengers on board were suspected of contracting the virus and French authorities there felt it was a critical health safety concern due to the global spread of COVID-19.

Sources at the Piarco International Airport told Guardian Media that the women returned home aboard Caribbean Airlines flight BW449 from Bridgetown, Barbados, around 8.25 pm on Tuesday.

Sources revealed that after getting the all-clear from Guadeloupe authorities to leave the ship, the women were tested on their way back home in both in Guadeloupe and Barbados, where they were in-transit to T&T, and the tests done in one of those two countries subsequently confirmed their positive status. However, it is unclear in which country their tests turned up positive.

A source who was present when the flight arrived at Piarco on Tuesday night and was familiar with the situation said: “Their positive results were sent to port health authorities here before they arrived.”

Sources said in preparation for the women’s arrival in T&T on Tuesday

night, an ambulance was called to the Piarco International Airport to pick them up for transportation to either the Caura Hospital or the Couva Hospital, where they will be quarantined and treated.

The ambulance, which Guardian Media saw accompanied by a van, drove into the airport on the western side through a private road, near the TT Post office, shortly after midnight.

The ambulance left the airport’s compound about half an hour later with the van in tow.

The flight crew and other passengers who were aboard the plane were also expected to be screened at the airport and asked to take measures to self-quarantine themselves for a 14day period.

Guardian Media sent a Whatsapp message to Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh seeking further details about the situation close to 12.40 am Wednesday. Understandably, the minister might have been already in bed and the messages were not read.

Another Ministry of Health official was also contacted by phone but they said they could not divulge any information about the two latest cases.

Around 11 pm on Tuesday night, however, the Ministry of Health announced via a media release that two new COVID-19 cases had been detected, bringing the number of confirmed cases in this country to seven.

They also indicated that “all positive COVID-19 cases thus far have been imported.”

The ministry reminded the public

that “personal protective measures are the most effective tools against COVID-19” and that “social distancing is particularly critical at this time given the manner in which the disease is spread.”

On Monday during a press conference to address measures taken to combat the spread of the virus, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley had said then that some 70 elderly nationals were up the Caribbean on a cruise ship - which had some COVID cases - and they were trying to return.

The Prime Minister said they could not be denied entry as they were citizens.

“They’re coming home and when they do, they form part of our responsibility,” Rowley had said then.

Minister of National Security Stuart Young in a media release on Tuesday said he and other members of the Government were communicating with some of the nationals aboard the cruise ship, as well as their family and friends Young said Government was in communication with the French authorities to get accurate information on the status of our nationals on the ship and how those authorities intended to treat this situation and the latest information they had was that arrangements were being made to repatriate the T&T nationals.

The release added that government agencies, in particular the Ministry of Health and Ministry of National Security, were prepared to receive the T&T nationals.

All persons on UK-Antigua flight in VI found; No signs of COVID-19 infection- Premier - Passengers on same flight tested positive for COVID-19 in Antigua & Montserrat

(VIRGIN ISLANDS NEWS ONLINE) ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- All of the persons who flew into Antigua from the United Kingdom on British Airways flight (BA 2157) on March 10, 2020 and transitioned into the [British] Virgin Islands have been located and are Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) free according to tests, Premier and Minister of Finance (R1), Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has announced.

Local authorities sounded the alarm on Monday, March 16, 2020 because there was a positive case of the dreaded virus in Antigua of a female who arrived from the UK on the March 10 British Airways flight.

Another passenger on the same flight has also since tested positive for COVID-19 in Montserrat.

“All persons who travelled on Tuesday, March 10 on the British Airways flight 2157 from London to Antigua and continued onward to the T.B. Lettsome International Airport, are asked to contact the Ministry of Health immediately,” a passionate public plea by Government read.

No need to worry Addressing the media during a live press conference held at the Office of the House of Assembly on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, Premier Fahie said there was no need to worry.

“Today we got an update that we have basically all the persons, but when the update went out yesterday, they were in the process of just looking for one or two more,” he said.

“It created a little hysteria in the public, but all of them thus far have not shown signs of being infected. What the situation was, was that the British Airways came into Antigua and there were passengers that left from Antigua and went to different places. So there were cases where some of the crew have been confirmed with the coronavirus. As a safety precautionary, they started to look for all the passengers that were on,” Premier Fahie explained.

He continued: “It’s not a matter that they know that they have the virus because the passengers that have been found, the tests have not shown, or the symptoms have not shown, that they have the virus.”

There are now 202,270 coronavirus cases worldwide.

Out of that figure, 82,813 have recovered, and 8,012 have died.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2020

Attacks on women in the workplace

RECENT events would indicate that women continue to experience inequality in the workplace. The usual manifestations of this inequality between men and women in the workplace are disparities in levels of remuneration between male and female colleagues; the absence of women in senior roles and more worryingly, the prevalence of different forms of harassment perpetrated against women in the workplace.

For the purpose of this editorial, we shall focus on harassment perpetrated against women in the workplace.

Recent events bring into focus just how far we as a society have come when we look at the role of women in society and more specifically, women in the workplace.

During the recent elections, we saw unprecedented attacks on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and its Chairperson, retired Justice Claudette Singh.

Over the months preceding the March 2 Regional and General elections, GECOM and its staff came under tremendous scrutiny with commentators speculating on the agency’s readiness to conduct free, fair, credible and transparent elections, particularly, at this stage of Guyana’s socio-economic development and against the backdrop of the protracted court battles pertaining to the no- confidence motion. Under the leadership of Justice Singh and in collaboration with the Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, the regional and general elections were conducted with relative ease on March 2 2020.

Events that transpired during the course of the counting and tabulation exercise conducted by GECOM, as directed by the procedures in the Representation of the People Act, were, for all intents and purposes, derailed on the night of Wednesday, March 5, following the

criminal invasion of GECOM by the opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). During the said invasion, Justice Singh was barricaded in her office as the invaders executed their plot. The Guyana Police Force was disorganised and ineffective in its management of the ruckus and the chairperson’s office was breached by the mob. Whilst it remains unclear exactly what transpired after the office was breached, it is sufficient to conclude that the honourable Justice’s safety and security had been aggressively compromised by an armed, angry and aggressive group of men. This occurring whilst the chairperson was undertaking the rightful execution of her duties as our Constitution requires. This incident, on its own, is a perfect example of the inequalities that exist between men and women in the workplace and the subordinate and vulnerable position women are often relegated to assume.

In a further unbelievable display of toxic masculinity within the work environment and during this elections period, Carol Smith-Joseph, the Region Five representative for the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition government was physically assaulted by Jonathan Yearwood, Finance Secretary of A New and United Guyana (ANUG). In a video captured by reporters on the scene, Yearwood can be seen and heard vociferously addressing members of GECOM who were undertaking their duties. Yearwood then storms out of the room and was then confronted

by Smith-Joseph whom he pushed away and who was subsequently restrained by a rank attached to the Guyana Police Force. The confrontation occurred at GECOM’s Command Centre High and Hadfield Streets, during a

tabulation exercise.

Female media operatives have also endured their fair share of intimidation, verbal threats and threats of physical violence during the post-elections period, while attempting to perform their duties. As a result, the Guyana Press Association issued several statements strongly condemning this sort of behaviour.

Outside of the elections arena, we have had incidents where female ministers have been attacked by male colleagues and party supporters, most infamously, the threat

by PPP/C supporters to topple Dr Karen Cummings’ car; this was led by PPP presidential candidate Irfaan Ali. Outside of the political arena, there are other incidents of note, which further highlight the disparity between the treatment of men and women in the workplace here in Guyana. Only recently, there was a case at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where a female member of staff was allegedly asked to remove her clothing to prove that she was menstruating; the incident was investigated by the GPHC and it was found that the director of nursing, who purportedly issued the order to search the nursing staff, was not liable. The examples used in this editorial are not isolated incidents. They are representative of much bigger issues in Guyana, especially as it relates to women’s rights and violence against women, which form part of the bigger issue of violence within our society. Nonetheless, the attacks on our female colleagues cannot be ignored. To do so would be to legitimise the unlawful behaviour of the aggressors, something we simply cannot allow to happen.

GTT extends bill payment period, promoting social distancing Dear Editor TO keep its customers electronically connected and to promote social distancing, The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) has extended its bill payment period, beginning April 17, 2020, to the 17th of the month and has swiftly moved to secure new and additional points of payment for ease of access. “We will be actively recruiting more MMG agents to add to the over 230 we already have and encourage more cus-

tomers to use our MMG platform to pay not only their GTT bills, but all other utility bills from their homes,” explained Justin Nedd.

GTT CEO. MMG, or Mobile Money Guyana, is Guyana’s first and only mobile financial services provider enabling an electronic wallet for easy, convenient bill pay from anywhere with the MMG app, registration can be done through https://mmg.gtt. co.gy/register/. “We appreciate your need, more than ever, to remain connected – as such, starting

next month, customers will have until the 17th of the month to ensure bill payments,” Nedd shared.

GTT retail outlets will be open, however, to ensure the safety of our customers and employees, we will be reducing hours of 8am to 1pm on weekdays.

However, GTT tech support will be available via phone and LiveChat to the extended time of 11pm daily. “These measures are supportive of the national and global aim to protect our customers and staff by facilitating social distancing as much as possible,”

Nedd said. GTT has increased the cleaning routines in all stores, including disinfecting all high-touch surfaces numerous times per day, utilitising safe and effective cleaners. GTT has also encouraged all staff, especially its frontline team members, to use protective gear where physical contact with customers is necessary – and has provided same. The company’s field technicians will continue their installation and repairs across the nation and will seek to enforce social distancing while maintaining service levels.

The CEO further highlighted that the company will continue in its efforts in sensitising its people and the public on the Coronavirus and its effects. “We are there for you when it comes to Cancer; we will do what we can as we collectively combat COVID-19 - with education, safety measures and sensitivity,” he said.

Regards Jasmin Harris PR & Corporate Communications Manager

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2020

Guyana’s judicial system provides legal pathway to resolution of election concerns Dear Editor

THE Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) applauds the efforts of the CARICOM delegation to assist Guyana during this process, notwithstanding the legal electoral challenges resulting in the CARICOM delegation leaving Guyana, having not been able to conclude its mission. CARICOM Chairperson and Prime Minister of Barbados, the Hon. Mia Mottley, as a member of the legal fraternity, and other CARICOM leaders we are confident would appreciate the legal process being upheld. This is indicative in their expression of continued commitment to Guyana and we encourage that they continue to keep an eye on our legal progress.

In the process of this legal pursuit which every party is entitled to as a means of adjudicating their grievances, the GTUC asks this nation and our political leaders to lend full support to our judiciary in its deliberations. The judiciary of Guyana has distinguished itself as a credible source of power in this country, well respected in the Caribbean jurisdiction and farther afield.

Our legal minds, across the spectrum, have more than demonstrated capacity at all times to navigate this process or legal resolution. This new challenge to the recounting of votes is the first of three legal challenges not filed by the opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). Altogether, these added to other delays have

made this the longest election process in the history of Guyana. This is not for us to be proud of, but neither is it a shame. What it demonstrates is a commitment by both parties to operate in a lawful manner, since both parties are entitled to their respective cases being heard in a court of law.

That of itself is a win for democracy and we must all be proud, even as we anxiously await the end.

When law and order trumps individual, partisan and lobbying interest, Guyana wins.

GTUC calls on all parties concerned to: · Respect the right of both parties to exercise all legal means such as injunctions filed on their behalf, since this will allow a court to give guidance and pass judgment at any stage of the process where there is a dispute. · Recognise that GECOM Chairperson Claudette Singh S.C. is on record as repeatedly stating that in the execution of the electoral process she will be guided by the constitution and Laws of Guyana and judicature.

- GECOM on 17th March, in an effort to facilitate a recount in a duly constituted and legal manner, sought the advice on the “legal ramifications” to recount the votes from Chief Parliamentary Counsel, CharlesFung-A-Fatt-S.C (Guyana Chronicle, 18th March, 2020 ‘Chief Parliamentary counsel advises GECOM against gazetting order for recount’) - Such advice was necessary be-

cause according to GECOM’s press release (17th March, 2020) the body thought “it is necessary for all the legal issues to be properly addressed, including the gazetting of the process as requested by the high-level CARICOM delegation” to give effect to the aide memoire signed by Messrs.

Granger and Jagdeo in the presence of CARICOM Secretary-General, H.E. Irwin Larocque to pave the way for the recount PPP/C representative Attorney-at-law Anil Nandlall’s contribution to the decision for gazetting argued against GECOM seeking same, pushing instead for them to go ahead with the count. As per Nandlall, “If you also look at Section 22 of the Elections Laws (Amendment) Act you will see that GECOM has a wide array of powers even to make orders, even to override legislation.”

His position runs contrary to the respected legal advice provided by the chief parliamentary counsel.

Chief Parliamentary Counsel, Charles-Fung-A-Fatt-S.C, advised accordingly: - The “provision that the Order is seeking to make has the effect of amending Section 84 of the Representation of the People Act and would there be ex post facto. And that “passing the order would be making a retrospective law and that would affect the vested rights of a person under the Representation of the People Act,” - “An Order cannot be made under this provision because any in-

structions or action that the commission takes must be in compliance with the Act. This provision empowers the commission to act administratively through an interpretation of the law as it now stands and does not empower the commission in a law-making capacity to modify the law.”

The nation is reminded that CEO Keith Lowenfield sought to implement an administrative solution that could have prevented this current situation when he suggested that the parties bring their Statements of Poll and do the verification, and “If, at the end of the day, that doesn’t work, the CEO will be involved with his statement to have a resolution to the issue.” This appeared not to have been pursued.

The situation as it currently exists is one where patience must be exercised as all concerned parties utilise lawful means of resolving their contentions. An injunction is before the court and will be heard on Friday, 20th March. GTUC expects the rule of law to obtain and be respected in no different manner than it has been so far in adjudicating our political and elections disputes.

Sacrificing Guyana’s peace and stability is not a price that any political party should ask our people to pay. It is not a price that any individual should seek to pay, given that parties we all represent have access to the law courts and peaceful resolution. As a people we must condemn political efforts from any quarter to

shot, the bandit surrendered, the local sheriff was summoned and the bandit arrested.

Now let’s examine this scenario.

The PPP and its sidekick parties were crying about everything, Mr. Mingo, the RO for Region Four, did. They cried about the commonly used spreadsheet, despite it was used for eight of the nine regions, six that they won. As a result, Mr. Mingo used GECOM’s SoPs. They cried that they wish to see the tabulated votes that Mr. Mingo has on the SoPs. Mr. Mingo got a projector and projected the SoPs unto a screen.

Before they ultimately walked out, they cried that they cannot see the serial numbers on the SoPs. Mr. Mingo rightfully declared APNU+AFC as the winners of Region Four after tabulation of the ballots. This declaration triggered a 12-hour period for PPP and their sidekick parties to challenge it, which by law would have resulted in the ballot boxes of Region Four being opened and ballots recounted. Like Mr. Common Sense, they knew this was their last chance to prove electoral fraud, as they were all crying. It is clear that Mr. Common Sense took his time seriously. He was there two hours early, awaiting the bandits because he recognised that it was his last chance. Clearly, the PPP and its associated sidekicks were not

that serious. All eight of the parties submitted their applications for a recount out of time. Not one presented themselves at the stipulated time. I will quote GECOM verbatim. “RO denied request for recount, since none of the parties adhered to the statutory timeline to apply for the appointment of counting agents. In this regard, no counting agent was duly appointed for any parties and only acounting agent can request a recount.”

Mr. Editor, the new fad or what I would describe as the new foolery is to sleep in front of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) to guard ballot boxes. Mind you, the ACCC has more CCTV’s looking at it than that presently in all of London. Also Freddie Kissoon, the government critic, neighbours the ACCC. Freddie is forever peeping through his windows looking out for God knows what. The last tim the AFC had a conference at the ACCC, Freddie Kissoon wrote a few gossip columns on what he saw when he peeped through his window, at the wee hours of the morning. With this knowledge, Lenox Shuman, the de facto leader of the PPP sidekick parties and other PPP sympathisers, had no reason to be sleeping in front of the ACCC to guard ballot boxes. I say this to make the point that if the PPP and its sidekick parties were se-

rious about a recount of Region Four, they would have all slept in front of GECOM and as soon as the doors were opened, they would have rushed in with recount applications in hand.

That never happened.

It is clear that the PPP and its sidekick parties are all, using hiphop vernacular, “half stepping” when it comes to the recount of Region Four. They know that the contents of those boxes will end their narrative of rigged elections. They rather that not happen since they are in election mode, campaigning for 2025.

They are foolishly sleeping in front of the ACCC to guard ballot boxes is essentially to dramatise their narrative of protect-

derail or discredit the judicial system and process to arrive at a resolution.

Those who proclaim ‘uprightness’ and ‘decency’ should be held to the standards they project. They must respect the laws and call on all parties to follow its mandate. Anyone seeking extra-judicial means whether peaceful or otherwise, to resolve our differences cannot be committed to democratic practices, though they may voice this. People of Guyana, let us not be fooled.

A fight for democracy is about having the election conducted and concluded within the parameters of the laws. We have numerous examples throughout the world and as recent as 2000 in the USA that these can ultimately be determined in a court of law, not merely by individuals, public relations campaigns and groups with different interests. It is a fight for the rule of law to be upheld. We determine this in a court of law and abide by the decisions therein. Finally, a resolution of our differences if not legally perused will and can result in a Guyana that our children would not benefit from. We must demand full compliance with all laws and respect for the court’s decision if we are to protect this nation and our peace, now and in the future.

Regards Lincoln Lewis General-Secretary GTUC

PPP and their sidekicks are half stepping on Region 4 Dear editor,

I DO wonder if you or the reader can add some clarity to my thought processes, as I try to gain an understanding of the PPP and its sidekick parties.

Let’s for a second place ourselves in the position of a fictional farmer by the name of Mr. Common Sense.

You see, Mr. Common Sense had twelve Holstein cows. For the last few weeks an unreasonable and shameless bandit has been stealing Mr. Common Sense’s Holstein cows. Now Mr. Common Sense, who lives on a remote farm without electricity or CCTV, was informed by his neighbour, Mr. Snitch that an unknown bandit would arrive between 8am and 12pm, when Mr. Common Sense is at the local market to offload his produce. The bandit would then lure a cow onto his tractor trailer before he hurriedly makes good his escape, along the dirt road.

Mr. Common Sense, recognising that he is down to his last cow, made a decision that 8am-12pm is the time he would, with a fully loaded shotgun, await the cow thief. So bright and early at 6am, Mr. Common Sense positioned himself in the shrubs, to give the bandit a very unpleasant surprise.

Like clockwork, the bandit turned up at 10am. Under the threat of being

ing the boxes from further rigging.

Mind you, the ACCC is also guarded by policemen and women along with the million of eyes that traverse the Railway Embankment. PPP and its sidekicks are not serious. They should not be taken seriously. They are a set of attention-seeking Drama Queens.

Regards Dr. Mark Devonish

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2020

PPP vows continued fight for democracy Dear Editor GUYANESE, as well as the regional and international community, continue to witness the undermining of the process to finalise the results of the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections, to allow for a declaration and swearing in of Guyana’s new president – in a transparent and lawful manner.

Within a matter of days, we have had two fraudulent declarations of election results in Region Four by a compromised returning officer, Clairmont Mingo’s, manoeuvres that undercut transparency and credibility in the electoral process and, today, efforts to frustrate and undermine an agreement for a CARICOM supervised recount of votes from the 2020 elections.

The filing of an injunction today (March 17, 2020) to block the agreed recount exposes the duplicity of President David Granger, those around him and those within the APNU+AFC coalition. It was Mr. Granger who called the CARICOM Chair, Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley, to say he did not want to be sworn in on the basis of disputed election results and requested a high-level CARICOM team to supervise a recount of the ballots. The PPP, although skeptical of his intentions, agreed to this, as a political solution to move our country forward and avoid negative consequences for our nation.

In addition to the delay in signing the aide-memoire, there have been consistent efforts to undermine the CARICOM agreement.

The latest episode in this saga is

having Ulita Moore, who was an APNU+AFC coalition candidate, file an injunction to stop the recount. Further, the moves by the APNU+AFC coalition to mobilise protesters across the country, with calls for Granger to be sworn in as president, shows the extent to which this cabal would go to destroy our democracy. The truth of the results of the 2020 General and Regional Election results is in the ballot boxes. This is why the recount, specifically the recount of votes in Region Four , is being resisted.

The numbers are clear. In addition to accepted declarations from nine regions, the party has made public all of its Statements of Polls (SOPs) for Region Four. A statement from the Organization of American States (OAS) electoral observer mission said: “The mission has noted that

images of the Statements of Poll published by the PPP/Civic, on its website…[they] produce a result that is vastly different from that being declared by the returning officer and would have a decisive effect on the outcome of the national election.

To date, neither the chief elections officer nor APNU has challenged the authenticity of the Statements of Poll published by the PPP/Civic by producing the copies in their possession.”

The PPP has also published, online, the tally sheets, signed by presiding officers across Region Four to support its GECOM-issued Statements of Poll. Again, there has been no challenge to these documents. The PPP wishes to underscore that APNU+AFC and its tiny cabal are alone in their misguided, foolhardy and

regressive undertaking. The party will continue to fight for our democracy. The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is not alone in this fight. The international community, civil society and dozens of local groups and most of the smaller political parties, as well as the majority of Guyanese, are with us in this fight. We urge all Guyanese, particularly supporters of the PPP, to remain vigilant and calm; do not be provoked and ensure that no action is taken in contradiction with the laws of Guyana; stay at home and await further guidance from the party. There will be a time for a visible expression of disgust.

Regards People’s Progressive Party

Our judiciary is being tested in a manner that is unprecedented

Dear Editor,

THE present political crisis over the final results of the 2020 General and Regional elections was expected, since nether the APNU+AFC nor the PPP/C is willing to accept defeat unless it is proven beyond a reasonable doubt. This is understandable, given that these elections were identified as the “mother” of all elections in Guyana and were driven by the implications of the vast wealth that will come from oil and gas and the inevitable effects on the country, politically,

economically and socially.

As a nation, we have refused to address the inherent inadequacies of our electoral and governance systems and have allowed the winnertakes-all system to reign supreme and be viewed as the ultimate prize of elections in Guyana, with little or no regard for the negative impact on governance, economic equity, social cohesion and race relations. Today we are faced with a crisis of our own making. Rather than seeking to resolve it internally as a matter of historic necessity, our leadership, on both sides of the divide,

have resorted prematurely to invoking the intervention of external forces. Many of these forces are not at all concerned with Guyanese national interests. For them, the extent to which their geopolitical strategic interests can be achieved underscores where their foremost importance resides. These extra-regional powers have no permanent political alliances in the hemisphere, but are largely motivated by their permanent self-interest.

Often, our domestic contestations make us lose sight of this most important lesson of history. We forget that

those we are calling on to resolve our current difficulties are the very people who, through their exploitative machinations, are responsible for us being firmly entrenched in our present condition.

As matters now stand our judicial system is being tested in a manner that is unprecedented in our post-independence history. To our credit, our courts have, in the most volatile of conditions, delivered judgements in an impartial manner. In doing so the members of the judiciary to a large extent have asserted their independence

to the surprise of a few but in keeping with the expectations of many. What is unfortunate is, the massive pressure being put on the judicial officials by the threats of sanctions from external powers. This can have the effect of making them unwilling parties in compromising their impartiality and independence. There is the old saying that justice must not only be done – but must appear to be done. In these circumstances, it is difficult to see this open, not veiled threats, being helpful in our politically and racially divided society.

Having said the above I wish to point out that the most recent legal challenge to the proposed CARICOM supervision of the recount of votes cast in the March 2, 2020 elections will test the sincerity of all of the forces, both local and foreign, that claimed their commitment to abide by the rule of law and to adhere to the constitution.

This matter, I am sure, will finally be determined in the Caribbean Court of Justice.

Regards Tacuma Ogunseye

Conspiracy against one group of people

Dear Sir,

I AM paying attention to the utterances of different groups and individuals on the on-going electoral processes for Guyana’s general and regional elections 2020, in the public sphere. It seems to be part of a massive conspiracy unfolding against a particular race of people. It is sad but we all must be very strong in mind and spirit, and equip ourselves as leaders of our communities and the nation as a whole. This is the only path to great success of our beloved Guyana.

Consider, for example, statements by the Private Sector Commission against the Guyana Police Force: “ Private Sector urges police to act impartially,” newsroom.gy, March 18, 2020, the GCCI: “GCCI condemns interference in electoral process” Inewsguyana.com, March 18, 2020… Major General(Retired)

Joe Singh: “ Former Army chief Joe Singh writes open letter to President” newsroom.gy, March 18, 2020, and Mr. Seelall Persaud DSM MBA, Retired Commissioner of Police: “ Let us not throw our honour to the dogs”- fmr. Top Cop urges GPF” Inewsguyana.com, March 18, 2020.

Quite frankly, I wonder about the metaphor: “… honour to the dogs”.

Let me make two comments: First, all of the above-mentioned groups and individuals have made no bones about their support for and loyalty to a particular political party. Therefore, one could hardly expect them to be objective; all of their statements demonstrate a bias against the APNU+AFC. Second, those statements were published by media owned by members of, or individuals affiliated to a particular political party, in Guyana. Those statements, no doubt, appear to be aimed at the international community, to give a certain negative

impression about what is happening in Guyana. Of course, we who live here know better and are very much aware of the truth.

The truth is, the PSC, GCCI, Joe Singh, and Mr. Seelall Persaud are hypocritical in words and deeds.

None of those organisations and individuals condemned the rancorous and dangerous invasion of the Guyana Elections Commission’s command centre, on High Street, last week. Even now, they have said nothing about it. In fact, members of the PSC and GCCI were part of that invasion, in which there was damage to property and physical abuse of police ranks and staff of the Election Commission. To date, no one has been arrested for that illegal activity. Nor have they commented on brutish incidents in communities on the East Coast of Demerara, in which children were hurt. Yet, they have the boldness and temerity to publicly call on the police to act pro-

fessionally, when all that the police is trying to do is to be professional in their conduct and behaviour ,in this situation, created by some of the very people who are now calling on the police to do better. The silence of these organisations and individuals call into question their sincerity and commitment to put Guyana on a trajectory of progress and success.

Finally, the PSC, GCCI, and their cohorts appear to have preempted the outcome of elections long before its conclusion, and it seeking to influence those elections in a particular way. No court of law has adjudged the elections to be fraudulent, in any way. In fact, there has been no elections petition, and even in the case of the injunction before the chief justice last week, no evidence of electoral fraud was presented by anyone. But somehow, those organisations and individuals have already determined that the elec-

tions were rigged. These are some of those who have paid lobbyists to talk about sanctions against Guyana for electoral fraud, when our courts have not even heard any petition on any such matter.

I call upon our community and national leaderships to be strong, and destroy this very evil plot to submerge the will of the people, by certain political and oppositional forces hard at work, to take power by using elements of the international community, who have been hoodwinked into believing a lie, spread wide and far, by certain creatures of greed and wickedness in our society. Guyana is a functioning democracy: our courts are functioning upholding the laws of this country; our democratic institutions are working. Let us regard the sanctity of our sovereignty.

Regards Gregory Howe

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2020

‘No one will be randomly targeted’

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…AG assures executive orders will not be arbitrarily imposed …says COVID-19 measures were drawn-up after careful consideration

By Svetlana Marshall THE Executive Orders issued by President David Granger under the Public Health Ordinance to eliminate the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), will not be whimsically executed, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, said as he allayed the fears of Guyanese that they will be indiscriminately restrained and isolated and their properties destroyed in light of the global pandemic.

The Directory Orders, issued

by President Granger last Monday, among other things, empower Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence to restrain, segregate and isolate persons who have been exposed to the deadly and infectious coronavirus. Additionally, under the orders, the Public Health Minister can remove, disinfect and destroy the personal effects, goods, buildings and any other article that have been exposed to the virus; facilitate speedily burial and or

cremation and the provision of medical aid and accommodation.

The Public Health Ministry can also prohibit or restrict the movement of persons and public and private conveyances of any kind whatsoever from an infected area.

However, in an interview at his Carmichael Street Office, the Attorney General pullucidly stated that persons will not be randomly targeted. “It is not a provision that would be utilised whimsically or capriciously by the minister or any authority,” Minister Williams assured reporters.

He noted, however, that the Orders are only intended for persons suffering from COVID-19 and or who may be likely, from exposure to the infection, suffer from the disease. Minister explained that measures intended to destroy persons’ effects, goods and buildings would only be implemented in the identified properties, since it would put at risk persons living or operating in close range to the affected or infected areas.

“In the event you have people harbouring somewhere and they come out every now and then to go and mingle, and the bedding infected, the environment infected, and if that building is in the middle of some neighbourhood that have other people living, it might be necessary to deal with it in that manner as provided under the law,” the Attorney General reasoned.

Similarly, he said the public health minister can restrict movement of persons to eliminate the spread of the disease. “The minister of public health, for example, could, in any part of Guyana, designate as she deems fit, any one or more hospitals or camps around the country, wherein she could exercise restraint on persons, she could isolate them, and she could treat them,” he explained while adding that the minister can also call on the Ministry of Public Security to assist with the removal and isolation of persons.

The orders were issued in ac-

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams

cordance with Articles 24, 139 (1) (g) and 148 (3) (b) of the Constitu-

tion of Guyana, as well as Section 20 (1) and (2) of the Public Health Ordinance, Chapter 145.

Minister Williams said the issuance of the Executive Orders, in accordance with the Public Health Ordinance, became essential due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China. To date, COVID-19 has spread to more than 100 countries including Guyana, where the first case was recorded on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. Since that first case, which was fatal, the country has recorded four additional cases, and steps have been taken to quarantine persons who were exposed to the virus.

“WHO [the World Health Organisation] has decree that it is a pandemic, and therefore we need to make efforts to combat and prevent the spread of this contagious disease,” he said while emphasising orders provided for in the Constitution of Guyana and the Public Health Ordinance, Chapter 145.

Maintain professionalism in the face of challenges …RHS Deputy-Director counsels health sector officials

WHILE healthcare workers face occupational burnout, fatigue, stigma or physical and psychological violence, they must always maintain their professionalism and never mistreat parents, cautioned Dr. Veronica Griffith, Deputy-Director of Regional and Clinical Services (RHS).

Speaking at Tuesday’s one-day symposium for Regional Health and Executive Officers (RHOs and REOs) and top Municipal officials, Dr. Griffith said despite currently working under increasing pressure because of global COVID-19 outbreak, local health workers must, nevertheless, “treat patients with respect, compassion and dignity (and) maintain patient confidentiality.”

The one-day seminar organised by the Ministry of Public Health was held to help increase awareness and response capabilities of RHOs, REOs and heads of municipalities, to the new strain of the coronavirus sweeping the globe. So far, four persons have tested positive for the virus in Guyana. A 52-year-old overseas-based Guyanese female is the only person to have died here as a result of the disease, after she returned to Guyana. Three of her family members – husband and two sons, have also tested positive late last week for COVID-19.

Local Ministry of Public Health officials are also trying to track down some 200 persons who have travelled on separate flights with

Dr. Veronica Griffith, Deputy-Director of Regional and Clinical Services (RHS), addressing participants at the one-day seminar on COVID-19

the woman and her daughter who left JFK International Airport bound for the Cheddi Jagan in Guyana. Included in that figure too, are other family and community members who welcomed their arrival in Georgetown and otherwise fraternised with the arriving family in the week following their return in a village on the east coast corridor.

The Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC) has been activated and members are meeting regularly to ensure continued coordination of the country’s response to the new strain of the virus. In his remarks, Permanent Secretary Emil McGarrel, of the Ministry of Communities, told participants

from the 10 administrative regions that, “appropriate and adequate information is a key way to help in the response phase.”

Information sharing, through the MoPH and the HEOC, will be a buffer against officials “giving in to wild theses and innuendos. We are here to prepare to respond,” McGarrel counselled participants.

MoPH Permanent Secretary, Collette Adams, highlighted the country’s multi-sectoral approach which she reasoned is “needed to protect all”. Adams said the MoPH is working assiduously with all international partners to handle any case of COVID-19.

The MoPH, in adherence to

the Financial Management and Accountability Act, has made the necessary request to the Ministry of Finance (MoF) considering Guyana is at a point in its financial year without a budget. The MoPH assures the nation that all COVID-19 related expenditure will be captured and brought to account at such time as there is a 2020 budget. All expenditures are sanctioned by the ministers of finance and public health.

Adams reminded officials to maintain strict financial accountability for money utilised as a part of the country’s response. “We must account for every cent,” she told participating officers and also cautioned participants to ignore fake news, disinformation and other messages crafted that can, if heeded, “put the entire country at more risk”.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, provided a panoramic view of the global effects of COVID-19, telling those gathered that there is now “more deaths outside of China” where the virus originated. The USA, Canada, Brazil and Chile are the hardest hit in that order in the Region of the Americas. In descending order in the Caribbean, French Guiana, Martinique, Guadeloupe, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname and St Bartholomew make up countries that have so far recorded COVID-19 patients.

Dr. Persaud highlighted port surveillance; home and facilities isolation; case finding and early detection and contact tracing and follow-ups, as strategies to help interrupt person-to-person transmission. Among the CMO’s menu of recommendations included closing borders, suspension of conveyance, which is preventing airlines, vessels and vehicles from entering the country, social distancing and limiting private and public gatherings.

In his presentation, the CMO counselled that where there are clusters of cases and local transmission there should be public health policies including control measures, government orders and quarantine.

He also said there must also be “coordination and collaboration on technical guidance and support for preparedness and response to fragile and vulnerable populations.

All participants must school their charges in the 10 Regions to follow established occupational safety and health procedures; avoid exposing others to health and safety risks; and participate in employer-provided occupational safety and health (OSH) training. In the fight against COVID-19, health officials and municipal workers must also follow established public health reporting procedures of suspected and confirmed cases and “provide or reinforce accurate infection prevention and control and public health information, including concerned people who have neither symptoms nor risk,” Dr. Griffith said. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2020

GECOM Commissioner says Guyana’s issues bigger than elections ---CARICOM still available to be intermediary

COMMISSIONER of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Vincent Alexander, said on Tuesday, that the issues emanating from the current electoral process is bigger than the process itself and should not be ignored.

Commissioners Alexander and Charles Corbin spoke with the media last evening after emerging from an hours-long commission meeting.

During that engagement, the commission was setting the stage for the commencement of the national recount of votes of the March 2 polls, as agreed between His Excellency, President David Granger, and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, which would have been observed by a high-level team from CARICOM. Part of that preparation too was ensuring that all legal requirements were in play before moving for-

ward since the process was new to both the commission and Guyana.

It was during the process that the commission was made aware of an injunction preventing the procedure from moving forward.

Barring that hiccup, Alexander said as a citizen, the current situation is not good for the country.

However, he opined that the issue is way beyond electoral solution and “we have to look for other solutions because the root cause of our problem is not in the electoral process.”

“We have serious problems with the plurality of our society, the distrust, the quest for power from various segments to the ignorance of the real problem and appreciation of the totality of the Guyanese society and we have to seek a solution in that regard,” he told the media.

According to Alexander, “the trust issue” is far beyond anything

that GECOM can do. As a commissioner, he assured that processes were in train to determine the legality and validity of the elections process, “but we did not reach the end to make a determination.”

In the meantime, he related that CARICOM has not given up on Guyana. While its service has been withdrawn for the moment, the regional institution has indicated that it is available for intervention if the need arises. GECOM will appear in court on Friday, March 20, to respond to an injunction filed on Tuesday by a private citizen, preventing it from executing an agreed upon aide-memoire between President Granger, Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo and CARICOM, requesting the regional body to overlook the recount of votes cast in this year’s General and

GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander

Regional Elections.

President Granger had sought the intervention of CARICOM’s Chair, Mia Mottley, to bring an end to the questions by both local and international observers and Guyana, about the legitimacy of the elections results. Everything has now been put on hold until the hearing.

“It leaves us to hear what the courts have to say. What we thought could have been a parallel process while we attempted to get the legal processes straightened. All the consultations we have had, and the approaches we have already made, that where we thought we were properly covered to proceed with the activity in accordance with legislation identified and the constitution, we could not get a firm view for support,” Commissioner Corbin stated. (DPI)

IDB-OECD study calls for better governance, integrity in Latin America and Caribbean

Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) need to strengthen governance and integrity mechanisms to improve the quality and implementation of public policies, reduce corruption and increase public trust in government, according to the third edition of Government at a Glance: Latin America and the Caribbean 2020 .

Governments in the region have so far failed to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the economic boom to ensure that growth becomes sustainable and truly inclusive, according to the study. Productivity has not significantly improved while inequality, despite economic progress, remains very high, whether measured in income or other well-being outcomes.

The study also points out that citizens are largely dissatisfied with public services and investments in infrastructure and education seem to be insufficient. Overall, access to and quality of public services varies widely and those who can afford it often opt out to private providers.

In addition, there is a widespread perception in the region that politics and markets are rigged.

The study, published by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD, provides reliable, internationally comparable data on government activities and their results. The publication offers indicators on public finance and economics; public employment; budgeting practices and procedures; human resources management; regulatory government; open government data and public procurement. The latest edition of the publication has included, for the first time, special sections with key indicators measuring

the quality of actions related to public integrity and data on outputs and outcomes on core government results.

“The indicators show that LAC continues to face challenges in designing and enforcing public policies that promote good governance and inclusive societies,” said Emilio Pineda, IDB Division Chief for Fiscal Municipal Management, Institutions for Development Sector.

“In order to sustain inclusive growth, the region needs to continue pushing public sector reforms that promote fiscal stability and fairness for all. Improving public sector integrity and fighting corruption must be at the heart of such efforts,” added Pineda.

Institutional weaknesses in several dimensions of public governance may explain the vulnerability of many countries in the region to inefficiencies caused by waste, misuse and capture by interest groups as well as to exogenous economic shocks. An analysis of government spending in the region indeed reveals a widespread waste and inefficiencies that could be as large as 4.4 percent of the region’s GDP, the study said.

Inequalities in the region may have entrenched a vicious cycle of elites using their power to ensure that policy making continues to reflect their own vested interests and not the public interest, according to the study. Even when the right policies are introduced, their implementation often remains superficial and is not able to translate into practice and bring about change. Causes can be informal norms overriding formal institutions, vested interests pushing back against effective implementation, solutions copied from another country but not responding to the context, or a lack of adequate-

ly skilled workforce or leadership.

The study’s some findings include: * Public sector integrity: the publication shows that political finance is strongly regulated in the LAC region. In general, the de jure quality of political finance regulation has improved in Latin America; it is often even stronger than in OECD countries. Overall, however, existing regulations often fail to be effectively enforced. Moreover, according to the study, regulations on campaign spending by political parties or candidates are less widespread than in OECD countries, creating incentives for political campaigns to increasing spending and seek financing from dubious sources. Regarding regulation of lobbying activities, regulations are mostly emerging in the region, with Peru, Chile, Mexico and Argentina leading the way. * Transparency: in Latin America the de jure quality of right to information laws is on average stronger than in OECD countries. Yet, citizens in Latin America often do not trust or simply do not know how to engage and how to obtain relevant and credible information. * Social accountability: the region shows growing awareness in terms of open data policies with Colombia, Mexico, Brazil and Uruguay with the most advanced open data initiatives in the region. The study shows that all countries in the region have taken some steps to integrate stakeholder engagement in their rule-making process. For example, they have adopted formal requirements to conduct consultation when developing subordinate regulations. Countries also established, to varying degrees, methodologies to engage with stakeholders, including minimum periods and supporting documentation for consultation.

* Public sector employment: LAC countries face the pressing challenge to deepen the professionalization of their civil service. Evidence portrayed in the publication shows that while the public sector in LAC countries tends to be comparatively small (12.3 percent of total employment in LAC compared to 21.2 percent in OECD countries), public employment in several LAC countries is not merit-based. In addition, public employment is usually comprised of low-skilled workers protected by strict contractual labor arrangements and managers appointed based on their political affinities.

Many political leaders and parties in the region are using the public administration to build clientelist networks for electoral purposes. As a result, while there is wide agreement on the necessity to reform the civil service, there are political interests in maintaining the status quo. * Public procurement: Public procurement systems in the region have made significant progress towards enabling better accountability and mitigating corruption risks. Countries in Latin America have advanced in the implementation of e-procurement mechanisms that, amongst others, improves transparency and efficiency of public procurement. Yet the region still needs to advance in its efforts to streamline the public procurement into overall public financial management, budgeting and service delivery processes, which could lead to better utilization of public resources. * Government reforms: the region faces coordination weaknesses at the central of government, making it difficult the mainstreaming and effective implementation of integrity policies throughout its public entities.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 19, 2020

Suriname agrees to open South Drain border crossing on Thursday SURINAME authorities have agreed to open the South Drain Canal border crossing facility on Thursday to facilitate the return of stranded Guyanese and Surinamese to each side of the Corentyne River.

According to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, the MB Sandaka will be departing Moleson Creek on the Corentyne at 09:00hrs.

Check-in will be from 06:30hrs to 08:00hrs.

The health authorities will be on hand to screen returning passengers at Moleson Creek, the ministry said.

Suriname authorities closed the ferry crossing after the country recorded its first case of the coronavirus.

Guyana/Suriname border crossing

Like Guyana, the neighbouring country has also

temporarily closed its airspace to international

Lands and Surveys Commission builds defences against coronavirus THE Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission has suspended all field inspections and survey services with immediate effect until further notice as it continues to monitor closely, the spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Guyana.

The commission, in a release, said all staff who travelled overseas or have been exposed to others who travelled overseas will have to undergo mandatory quarantine as per the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations.

The commission also noted that a resource desk for clients to access information on preventative measures to avoid the spread of the disease has

been established; cleaning and sanitising activities at its offices countrywide have increased; and added hand sanitisers have been placed at the desk of each staff as well as the front entrances and at all cash registers.

“Public sinks with soap and disposable hand towels have also been set up at the commission’s head office.

Please note that mandatory sanitisation of hands would be required by all staff and visitors to the commission.

Staff rotation has commenced as per instructions of the Department of Public Service to reduce the level of person-to-person contact in offices and adhere to social distancing requirements,” the release from

the commission added.

It is advising clients to make use of remote services through its hotline, website, email and Facebook page and should only visit the office to conduct essential business.

“The commission will continue to closely follow the Ministry of Public Health and World Health Organisation’s guidelines and recommendations on the steps to take to help prevent the spread of the virus. We encourage our clients to contact our offices to query the status of documents and to receive answers to land-related questions using the following [above mentioned] means,” the release concluded.

‘Robbery under arms’ accused remanded

TROY GEVON of Golden Grove, Main Road, East Coast Demerara, and Gregory Bowman of Melanie, East Coast Demerara, having been charged for ‘robbery under arms’, were, on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, remanded to prison

by Magistrate Faith McGusty.

Both Gevon and Bowman

appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge, when it was read to them.

Particulars of the charge stated that, on Monday, March 16, 2020, at Cornhill and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown, both Gevon and Bowman were armed with an offensive weapon, and,

more specifically, an ice pick which they used to rob Winston Rogers of one cellular phone valued at $6000, one pair of Adidas boots valued at $11,500 and $17,000 cash.

Magistrate McGusty remanded the defendants to prison and adjourned the matter until Wednesday, April 8, 2020.

flights, facilitating only special flights.

Man accused of simple larceny sentenced to 2 months in prison CARL FERDRICKS, accused of simple larceny, was, on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, sentenced to 2 months in prison by Magistrate Annette Singh.

Ferdricks, on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrate’ Court and pleaded guilty to the charge, when it was read to him.

Particulars of the charge stated that, on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, on Regent Street and Orange Walk, Georgetown, Ferdricks stole one mountain bike valued at $21,000, property of Sheer Zuman.

When Ferdricks was given the opportunity to explain his act to the court by Magistrate McGusty, he mentioned that he and the virtual complainant were drinking and smoking cocaine at the time, when the victim requested that he purchased more cocaine. Ferdricks further mentioned that the victim lent him his bicycle to buy the item.

However, on his way back from purchasing the cocaine and alcohol he was stopped and robbed. Ferdricks stated that he was also relieved of Zuman’s bicycle.

The victim then informed the court that he does not know Ferdricks.

After hearing the case, Magistrate McGusty proceeded to change Ferdricks’ plea to not guilty and ordered that he be remanded to prison. Magistrate McGusty then transferred the matter to court 11.

At court 11, Ferdricks appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh where he was sentenced to two months in prison.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2020

Sir Shridath says withdrawal of CARICOM team regrettable …urges that peace and progress be pursued lawfully and transparently GUYANESE Diplomat, Sir Shridath Ramphal, said it is regrettable that the CARICOM team that was here to oversee a recount of the March 2, votes has had to withdraw from the process.

The withdrawal came after a High Court injunction blocked the recount. At 17:30hrs on Tuesday, the team arrived at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)’s High and Cowan Streets office, where they engaged the commission in a brief meeting. Coming out of the meeting, Commissioner Charles Corbin said: “They have formally indicated to us that, given the developments that have occurred, they are currently in discussion, and it is quite likely that they are going to withdraw tomorrow.”

Commissioner Vincent Alexander added: “They have not given up on us; they have withdrawn at this point in time; they have indicated that they are still available if the need arises for an intervention to do so.”

CARICOM Chair, Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, on Saturday, had announced that President David Granger had made a request

Sir Shridath Ramphal

for CARICOM to field an independent high-level team to supervise a planned national recount of the ballots cast in the elections. This was agreed to by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo,

and the two local leaders signed an Aide Memoire for the agreed recount.

However, CARICOM requested that this agreement be followed up with an Order and the same gazetted, but this was advised against by Guyana’s Chief Parliamentary Counsel, Charles Fung-a-Fat, as doing so would supersede electoral laws and infringe on the rights of electors. This was coupled with an interim injunction and Order granted by the High Court to halt the recount, on the basis that the declarations that have already been made were final, and that GECOM is the only agency authorised to conduct elections. This being the case, the high-level team withdrew themselves from the process. Though conceding that the way ahead is “not quite clear”, Commissioner Alexander said that the commission is expected to appear in court on Friday, March 20, 2020.

Meanwhile,

Sir Shridath said in a statement that, “in the darkness of disagreement, CARICOM’s helpful intervention in trying to resolve the general elections process at the request of both president Granger and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, was a ray of light. All of Guyana should have welcomed it, as most Guyanese did. It is a wholly legitimate role of community that must not be smothered under any pretext whatever.”

He added: “It is utterly regrettable that, despite the highest-level agreement between the political leaders of Guyana and five CARICOM heads of government acting for the Community, the invited CARICOM team to oversee the recount of the votes,

has had to withdraw. Guyana is being deprived of regional and international approval and the opportunity for global respect at a time when it matters most. CARICOM has not closed the door to proving the preciousness of its familial ties with Guyana; it can still play the role Guyana’s two political leaders agreed it should.

What is required now is for all to place the interest of the nation above other narrow considerations that could mar the country’s prospects; and retard the strides that the people of Guyana have made collectively. I urge that peace and progress be pursued lawfully and transparently.”

Indigenous villages close doors on visitors …as part of measures to reduce spread of coronavirus

AS a precautionary measure, several Indigenous villages have decided to close access to visitors in light of the recently-recorded cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus).

On Tuesday, Santa Rosa Toshao, Whanita Phillips, informed the Region Two administration that as of Monday March 23, 2020 to April 5, 2020, the Charity-Moruca speedboat route would be closed to all passenger boats.

On Monday, Toshao of St Cuthbert’s Mission, Beverly Clenkian, noted in a Facebook post that the village council will not be accepting visitors until further notice. Clenkian noted that signboards will be erected at the entrance to the popular village while the council will be meeting with residents this week to detail effective health practices in light of the virus’ presence here. Medical personnel will be on hand to provide information to visitors.

Reports are that the village councils at Orealla and Siparuta on the Corentyne River have also instituted strict measures to visitors as well as residents. At several villages in the Rupununi, the village councils are also instituting measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

Guyana has recorded four cases of the global pandemic, resulting in the implementation of strict measures at various ports-ofentry across the country. In addition, various public agencies, including the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) have actioned restrictions to curb the spread of the virus.

As of midnight on Wednesday, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and the Eugene F Correia International Airport will be closed for two weeks to all flights except local, outgoing, medivac, cargo flights and those

making technical stops. Provisions would be made for special authorised flights.

The Guyana Police Force noted on Tuesday that in pursuance of measures to alleviate the spread of the coronavirus and to dissuade large gatherings and assemblies, no application for bar-b-que permits, fairs, parties and any other public event would be processed.

Regional Police Commanders across the country would not entertain such requests until further notice, the police said.

On Saturday, the Ministry of Public Health announced that four persons have been tested positive with the dreaded Covid-19 virus. They are all relatives of a woman who contracted the virus in New York, but travelled back home and passed away last week. Her husband, daughter and two other relatives have been tested positive. Authorities have also contacted several persons who travelled on the same flight with the woman to Guyana who might have been exposed to the disease. Hundreds also attended her wake at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara and interacted with relatives who were exposed to the woman.

Guyana has now joined Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname in closing off their airports to international flights. Suriname, last week, took a decision to close the Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport, also known as Paramaribo-Zanderij International Airport, after recording its first imported case of Covid-19 on Friday.

American Airlines recently suspended its services to Guyana and a number of other countries as it steps up precautions against the coronavirus.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2020

No fear of lack of funding for government coronavirus fight

NOTWITHSTANDING government agencies currently operating without a budget, there is no fear of the government running out of money to fund emergency initiatives in the country’s fight against the spread of the corona/COVID-19 virus, as the law provides for funding under such circumstances.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Attorney General, Basil Williams, have both clarified that the law has such provisions.

Nagamootoo explained that the Public Health Ordinance empowers the President to direct that funds be made available as the country continues to take combative measures against the infectious disease, which has been deemed a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Guyana recorded its first case of the virus on March 11, after the 52-year-old patient died. Four other persons, all related to the initial patient, have since tested positive for the virus. Those persons are currently being quarantined at health facilities manned by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) “Something like corona virus, if it takes hold of your population, you’re not sure if you will have survivors, so it is an extraordinary situation and, therefore, funding would have to be secured from the national coffers,” Nagamootoo clarified on Tuesday, during a press conference held by the Ministerial Task Force.

He further noted that: “This is an extraordinary situation; there are contingencies for these extraordinary situations. The powers, under the Public Health Ordinance, empowers the president to be able to facilitate access to funds. There are provisions under unforeseen circumstances that funds could be made available from the contingencies.”

The Prime Minister heads the Task Force which is currently coordinating the country’s fight against the spread of the disease.

The government has since taken several measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

Four quarantine facilities have been established, and the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) have been monitoring probable, suspected and confirmed cases of the virus.

A specific hotline has been established for persons to call if they suspect they or someone else may have been exposed to the virus, since persons are warned not to

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

Attorney General, Basil Williams

visit the hospital if they feel they have been exposed, but instead call so that a health team can come to them.

A shift system has been implemented for public servants.

Many government Ministries and agencies are implementing vigorous sanitization measures, and providing protective gear to staff.

The country’s borders have been closed, with international flights being suspended for two weeks beginning midnight on March 18. The Ministry of Education (MoE) also took the decision to close public schools for a period of two weeks beginning March 16.

However, with the country’s last budget having expired since December 31, 2019, and the convening of a new National Assembly contingent on the yet-to-be-declared official general elections results, funding would be restricted under the national budget one-twelfth formula.

Article 36(1) of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, Chapter 73:02 allows for each budget agency to be issued monthly allocations of a “limit of onetwelfth of the amount that was expended by that budget agency in the immediately preceding fiscal year”.

Last year’s national budget was $300.7 billion, one twelfth of which would be $25.06 billion.

However, there are provisions that supersedes this.

“You have to have funding in cases like this, so that wouldn’t be an impediment under our Constitution. The government could always expend monies in cases of emergencies. There is provision under the Contingency Fund. Breaches at the seawall… flooding… any natural disaster the government could find money from certain funding. But this particular Public Health Ordinance makes provision for the president in the cases of emergencies; in cases such as this to expend funds from the consolidated fund,” Williams explained.

He noted that in several countries across the globe, funding to fight the virus has been prioritized.

“If every country you look at that is dealing with this COVID 19, you see that as a priority in their measures is to gather in the funding that will be utilized in all the areas,” Williams said.

The virus has already been responsible for over 8600 deaths as of March 18, since its outbreak in Wuhan, China, in late 2019.

Taxi driver to face trial for rape, robbery charges PRINCIPAL Magistrate Sherdel Isccas-Marcus on Wednesday committed Lindon Daniels to stand trial at the High Court for allegedly raping a woman during a robbery and stealing the woman’s $37,000 Samsung cellphone.

Daniels, a taxi driver, was on trial at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court where the matter was held in-camera; he was not required to plead to the charges since they were laid indictably.

The charge alleged that Daniels, on January 30, 2019, at Kuru-Kuru, Soesdyke, EBD, engaged in sexual activity with a woman without her consent.

It was further alleged that on the same day, he stole the victim’s $37,000 Samsung cell phone. Daniels; Daniels, however, denied the charge.

The magistrate ruled that a prima facie case was made out against Daniels for him to stand trial at the High Court for the indictment. He will re-

main out of prison on $300,000 bail.

Daniels is currently awaiting trial at the High Court for another charge of rape. The charge alleges that on February 13, 2019, at New Providence, EBD, he engaged in sexual activity with a child who was under the age of 16.

He is also before the court for the indictment which read that on February 18, 2019, at New Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), Daniels engaged in sexual activity with a woman, without her consent.

It was further alleged that The Guyana Chronicle was made to understand that Daniels is a taxi driver and is not known to his victims.

It is alleged that Daniels picked up the victims in his motor car and while taking them to their desired destination, he stopped at an isolated area.

Daniels reportedly raped his victims and took away their cellphone

Lindon Daniels

before abandoning them in the deserted area.

13

Guyana confirms fifth case of Coronavirus

ANOTHER family member of the 52-year-old woman who died from the Coronavirus last week has tested positive for the illness, bringing the total number of cases recorded in Guyana to five.

According to the Department of Public Information, Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, confirmed the latest development.

Minister Lawrence, in a message, noted that the ministry, through the activated Health Emergency Operations Centre, continues to locate and quarantine other persons who came into close contact with the woman and her immediate relatives.

“To date, due to the diligence of our health personnel who are working assiduously to contain the spread of COVID-19, the numbers have been kept down,” the minister said.

She emphasised that while the COVID-19 situation in Guyana remains under control, it does not mean that preventative measures and other mechanisms must be forsaken.

“We can ill afford to become complacent and in some cases even nonchalant and laid back.

The threat is real, it is not discriminatory and so we must all shoulder our responsibility resolutely and be resilient in adherence to the precautionary measures that have been established,” she said.

Guyana’s first imported coronavirus victim, her husband and at least one of her children travelled from New York to Guyana during the first week of

March and according to the authorities, the woman presented herself to the public health system five days later with health complaints.

It was noted that based on the patient’s travel history and symptoms, (with out-of-hand diabetes and high blood pressure), health professionals also diagnosed her for COVID-19.

It was noted that a sample was collected and sent to the National Public Health Reference Laboratory (NPHRL) where laboratory tests confirmed a positive result on Wednesday morning.

The woman died last Wednesday while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and her family members were informed.

In recent days, the authorities have implemented several precautionary measures in light of the recorded cases here. These include the closure of the two international airports to flights except for those making technical stops, cargo, medivac and outgoing flights. In addition, permission would be given to special authorised flights.

The Ministry of Education also announced the closure of schools for sanitisation exercises for two weeks, while a shift system at workplaces for public servants has been implemented.

The Guyana Police Force has also decided not to issue permits for social gathering events including bar-b-ques, fairs and parties, among similar public events.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 19, 2020

NEW GPC ramps up production of Covid-19 treatment

The NEW GPC, in response to the outbreak of Covid -19 has ramped up the manufacturing of Chloroquine tablets, the local pharmaceutical company announced Wednesday night.

In a statement the New GPC said while there is no vaccine for the virus at this time and one is not expected for at least another year, Chloroquine is one of the drugs that have been cited as an effective treatment for Covid-19 that has inflicted hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

The drug has tested favourably in the US, Italy, France, Japan and other European countries in the front line in battling the pandemic.

Studies have shown that Chloroquine blocks the viral infection by increasing the endosomal ph needed for viral attachment.

Typical, is the report from the Deputy Head of

China National Center for Biotechnology Development Mr. Sun Yanrong. He said that Chloroquine, an anti-malarial medication, was selected after several screening rounds of thousands of existing drugs. The studies evidenced ‘certain curative effect’ with ‘fairly good efficacy’ and patients treated demonstrated a better drop in fever, improvement of lung CT images, and required a shorter time to recover compared to parallel groups.

No obvious serious adverse reactions were observed and reported in the more than 100 participants in the trials.

According to New GPC Chloroquine is a 70-yearold drug, which as mentioned earlier, is used to fight malaria and autoimmune diseases. It is safe to use and relatively cheap.

NEW GPC is licensed to manufacture this product and have been doing so for many years. This drug re-

COVID-19 travel restrictions…

Guyana Goldfields Inc. forced to suspend underground development at AGM

THE Guyana Goldfields Inc. announced that as a result of travel restrictions in and out of Guyana, the company has temporarily suspended underground development at its 100 per cent-owned Aurora Gold Mine located in Guyana.

In a press release on Wednesday, the company said that open pit and processing plant operations are currently unaffected and are continuing as planned.

It said that following the decision by the Government of Guyana to close its airports to all international air travel except for cargo flights, planes making technical stops and special authorised flights, the company has decided to suspend underground development at the mine. It noted that the airport closure proposed by the government is expected to be 14 days, effective Wednesday at midnight and reflect Guyana’s effort to contain the global outbreak of COVID-19.

The company said that the underground development is affected by the international travel restrictions as that development’s contractor has a specialised workforce consisting mostly of expatriate personnel. “In consultation with the company, the contractor is suspending its operations and demobilising all its on-site personnel, except for certain individuals who will remain on site temporarily to supervise the backfilling of certain open underground stopes,” the release said.

“Our priority is to the health and safety of our workers,” said Alan Pangbourne, Guyana Goldfields President and CEO. “While we have no confirmed COVID-19 cases amongst our workforce, we are proactively taking steps to protect our people and our business during this global pandemic and some of the company’s expatriate staff are already working remotely. We are well prepared to keep the Aurora open pit and processing plant running as previously disclosed, and maintaining critical safety and environmental activities, notwithstanding Guyana’s international travel ban.”

The company will continue to monitor the situation and will provide further updates if necessary as events unfold, it said.

quires a doctor’s prescription. NEW GPC said it is the Caribbean’s largest manufacturer of pharmaceuticals. The Company manufactured antiretro-

virals to address the HIV/ Aids pandemic and Tamiflu to treat the outbreak of bird flu. NEW GPC is US FDA approved and is licensed by the Government

Analyst Food and Drug Department. The production of Chloroquine by the NEW GPC would give a boost not only to the fight to control the effects of the

City Hall examining payments owed to employees THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is in the process of examining and regularizing benefits owed to all past employees who left the municipality’s employ during the year 2015, and on Wednesday issued a call for all such employees to visit the Human Resource Manager.

Persons are required to walk with national identification cards or a valid form of identification to facilitate the smooth flow of the process, a press release from the municipality’s Public Relations Officer, Debra Lewis, relayed.

When contacted, however, Mayor Ubraj Narine said the edict is yet another case of the administration doing as it pleases without consulting the 30-member Council which should be issuing the directives of the body.

Narine said outside of seeing a copy of the statement being shared by the public, he was never apprised of the development.

“Ask the HR because I know nothing about it, I have no knowledge about it,” Narine expressed on Wednesday.

“Sometimes it bothers

Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine

me but I can’t do anything; the HR, she has a different view of how she manages things without any form of policies. Again, I say that as administration and council, we need to work together to build the city and get the city in order, but I am not aware of these things, no one says anything to me.”

Narine’s continued frustration with local government officers acting without directives from the Council has been well recorded since he took up the position of Mayor in January 2019.

Councillor Denroy Tudor, who is a member of the Council’s Human Resource Management Committee, also said that a decision was never taken at the level of Committee.

He noted that the last discussion on the issue at

a statutory meeting only amounted to the Council being informed that it was up to date on the payments of National Insurance Scheme (NIS) contributions for employees.

Tudor said he is not certain how many employees are owed for 2015.

The M&CC, which is heavily in debt, has, over the years, come under fire for lack of remittance of employee deductions to various entities as well as complaints from former employees about payments owed to them.

Last year August, it was revealed that the municipality owed NIS over $218 million.

As a result of recommendations from the CoI, the M&CC was ordered to pay the remittances and all owed employees.

Last year, some 35 retired employees banded together and formed a pensioners association to help lobby their cause after they had not received their pensions and retroactive money that they said they were entitled to.

COVID 19 virus, but also to give a boost to our local moribund economy. The Company has already received its first order from the Caribbean.

Medellin and Carlos Evans wanted by police

Carols Evans

Medellin Orlanda Evans

Medellin Orlanda Evans and Carlos Evans are wanted by the Police for questioning in relation to the murder of Tony Bishnauth on March 13, 2020, at Carriage Road, Rosignol, West Bank Berbice (WBB).

According to police, Medellin Evans, also called “Mello” is of African descent. He was born on June 28, 1987, and his last known address is listed at Lot 61, Railway Line, Rosignol, WBB. Carols Evans called the “Beast” was born on December 15, 1991. He is also of African descent and his address is listed at Lot 12 Section ‘C’ D’Edward Village, WBB.

Police, in a release, said anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the above named suspects, is asked to contact the Police on 232-0291, 232-0313, 330-2222, 2263650, 226-1326, 911 or the nearest police station.

All information will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 19, 2020

Global unemployment could increase by 25M due to COVID-19

-global income losses could reach more than a trillion dollars says ILO THE Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which has infected more than 168,000 persons and killed about 7,000 persons globally, could continue to pose more problems for the global economy as the International Labour Organisation (ILO) projects an increase in unemployment by 25 million due to the virus.

According to a report from the ILO, an internationally coordinated policy response, as happened in the global financial crisis of 2008/9, could, however, reduce the impact on global unemployment.

The preliminary assessment note, COVID-19 and the world of work: Impacts and responses, prepared by the ILO, calls for urgent, large-scale and coordinated measures across three pillars: protecting workers in the workplace, stimulating the economy and employment, and supporting jobs and incomes.

“These measures include extending social protection, supporting employment retention (i.e. short-time work, paid leave, other subsidies), and financial and tax relief, including for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. In addition, the note proposes fiscal and monetary policy measures, and lending and financial support for specific economic sectors,” said

the ILO. Based on different scenarios for the impact of COVID-19 on global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, the ILO estimates indicate a rise in global unemployment of between 5.3 million (“low” scenario) and 24.7 million (“high” scenario) from a base level of 188 million in 2019. By comparison, the 2008/9 global financial crisis increased global unemployment by 22 million.

The ILO, in its report, further noted: “Underemployment is also expected to increase on a large scale, as the economic consequences of the virus outbreak translate into reductions in working hours and wages. Self-employment in developing countries, which often serves to cushion the impact of changes, may not do so this time because of restrictions on the movement of people (e.g. service providers) and goods.”

Falls in employment also mean large income losses for workers. The study estimates these as being between US$860 billion and US$3.4 trillion by the end of 2020.

This will translate into falls in consumption of goods and services, in turn affecting the prospects for businesses and economies.

The ILO said working poverty is expected to increase significantly too, as “the strain on incomes result-

ing from the decline in economic activity will devastate workers close to or below the poverty line.”

The ILO estimates that between 8.8 million and 35 million additional people will be in working poverty worldwide, compared to the original estimate for 2020, which projected a decline of 14 million worldwide.

“This is no longer only a global health crisis, it is also a major labour market and economic crisis that is having a huge impact on people,” said ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder, adding: “In 2008, the world presented a united front to address the consequences of the global financial crisis, and the worst was averted. We need that kind of leadership and resolve now.”

He said this is no longer only a global health crisis, but also major labour market and economic crisis that are having a huge impact on people.

The ILO note warns that certain groups will be disproportionately affected by the job crisis, which could increase inequality. These include people in less protected and low-paid jobs, particularly youth and older workers; women and migrants too. The latter are vulnerable due to the lack of social protection and rights, and women tend to be over-represented in low-paid jobs and affected sectors.

IDPADA-G submits report of post elections occurrences to UNHCHR, ERC ON Sunday March 15, 2020, the International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly-Guyana (IDPADA-G) Coordinating Council convened an emergency meeting of its General Assembly to discuss matters which unfolded following the March 2 General and Regional Elections, in particular, post elections disturbances which included racially motivated attacks.

“This emergency meeting of the IDPADA-G General Assembly sought to address the heightened racial tensions and racially-motivated attacks against people of African Descent in Guyana, since the March 2, 2020 elections,” a release from IDPADA-G said.

It said members of the organisation noted the restraint demonstrated by the African Guyanese community in the face of racially-motivated

attacks, “and voiced fear for the safety of our entire community, considering the attacks on innocent school children, the security forces and random African Guyanese.”

The IDPADA-G said it has sought to formally address this matter by acting within its authority as the Country Coordinating Mechanism mandated to respond to the U.N. Resolution 68/237 declaring the Decade, under the theme “People of African descent: recognition, justice and development” and to implement the Programme of Activities for the Implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent, as elaborated in the U.N. The General Assembly is said to be the highest decision-making body of the organisation and is comprised of nominated members from the various African

organisations that comprise IDPADA-G. The Coordinating Council comprises the Chairman of the organisation, the CEO and the Chairpersons of the various internal committees.

The IDPADA-G said it has compiled a report on the post-elections situation as an input under the reporting obligations of the Secretary-General, and the work of the UNHCHR as the Secretariat for the Decade.

Following a motion passed by IDPADA-G’s General Assembly, the organisation submitted the report along with a petition to the UNHCHR, the broader international community and the local Ethnic Relations Commission to alert them to the recent acts of “racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance” towards African Guyanese.”

“In times of crisis like the current one, we have two key tools that can help mitigate the damage and restore public confidence. Firstly, social dialogue, engaging with workers and employers

and their representatives, is vital for building public trust and support for the measures that we need to overcome this crisis.

“Secondly, international labour standards provide

a tried-and-trusted foundation for policy responses that focus on a recovery that is sustainable and equitable. Everything needs to be done to minimize the damage to people at this difficult time,” Ryder said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2020

CJIA, Eugene Correia airports closed for two weeks

-- amid spread of coronavirus

By Naomi Parris THE Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), on Tuesday, announced the closure of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport at Timehri and the Eugene Correia Airport at Ogle to all international flights for (two weeks) 14 days.

Addressing reporters at the National Communications Network (NCN) studios, CAA Director-General, Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d) Egbert Field, said the closure will take effect from today at midnight.

“The Civil Aviation Authority, in order to slow the process of this virus and in consultation with the Ministry of Public Health, has decided, with the approval of the Cabinet Taskforce, to close all airports to all international flights,” Director Field stated.

The authority will be in close contact with the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministerial Taskforce to ensure the 14 days are adequate and if necessary the airports will remain closed as instructed by the ministry.

“We will continue to maintain our contact and communication with the Ministry of Public Health and task force to ensure that these 14 days are adequate. If so desired and requested, we will continue closure after 14 days,” he stated.

The director-general further revealed that only local flights, cargo flights, MedEvac flights, technical stops by airplanes for fuel and special authorised flights will be allowed to traverse.

However, he noted that while local air travel will be allowed, they will be closely monitored.

CAA DirectorGeneral, Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d) Egbert Field

“We will still be conducting our inspection on domestic flights. Inspectors out at the airport will be geared with masks and gloves to protect themselves and anyone in close contact with them.”

In addition, Director Field stated that the Civil Aviation Authority has been working closely with the Ministry of Public Health to minimise the spread of the deadly virus.

The Civil Aviation Authority has been conducting inspections at the international airports to ensure that they have systems in place to address the virus outbreak, said Field.

He stated that in cases where arriving passengers might have been exposed to the coronavirus, the Civil Aviation Authority has been providing the Health Ministry with the contact information for those said passengers.

On Saturday, the Min-

istry of Public Health announced that four persons have been tested positive with the dreaded Covid-19 virus. They are all relatives of a woman who contracted the virus in New York, but travelled back home and passed away last week. Her husband, daughter and two other relatives have been tested positive. Authorities have also contacted several persons who travelled on the same flight with the woman to Guyana who might have been exposed to the disease.

Hundreds also attended her wake at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara and interacted with relatives who were exposed to the woman.

Guyana has now joined Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname in closing off their airports to international flights. Suriname, last week, took a decision to close the Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport, also known as Paramaribo-Zanderij International Airport after recording its first imported case of

Covid-19 on Friday.

American Airlines recently suspended its services to Guyana and a number of other countries as it

steps up precautions against the coronavirus. However, with the closure of the international airports, the Region’s two main carriers,

Caribbean Airlines and LIAT are expected to face major setbacks since both airlines operate multiple daily flights into Guyana.

Body found in Church St canal THE police are investigating the circumstances that led to the discovery of the body of a man in a trench on Church Street.

According to Commander of `A’ Division, P. Azore, around 17:45hrs the police received a call via 911 about a body in the trench. They responded, cordoned off the scene and proceeded to extract the body.

The man appears to be in his late 40s or

early 50s.

The dead man was dressed in a tee shirt, pants and boots and a birth certificate was in one of the pockets. However, the commander said because of the condition of the document and the fact that it was wet, the police were unable to decipher the name.

Web grab scenes of the activity on Church Street where police retrieved the body of a man in a trench ( Photos courtesy of Julia Johnson)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2020

Reorganise health services to care for COVID-19 patients and save lives

-- PAHO director urges health ministers THE Director of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, has called on all countries in the Americas to take urgent action to reorganise their health services and protect health profes-

reported 5,944 cases and 19 deaths.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), current global data indicate that 81 per cent of COVID-19 cases are relatively mild, 14 per cent evolve into more severe ill-

PAHO Director, Dr. Carissa F. Etienne

sionals in order to safely care for patients with the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and save lives.

“The message is clearnow is the time for countries to increase their capacity to detect cases, care for patients, and ensure that hospitals have the space, supplies and staff they need to provide the necessary care,” Etienne said during her weekly teleconference with the region’s health ministers.

She urged health leaders to involve citizens and other sectors in support of public health action. “If everyone collaborates, it is not too late to contain the situation, flatten the epidemic curve and thereby avoid overloading the health services so that they can give the necessary care to all who need it.”

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic on 31 December 2019, until 17 March, 191,127 cases and 7,807 deaths were reported globally. The majority of these deaths were in China, Italy, Iran, Spain and France. As of Tuesday, in the Region of the Americas, 37 countries and territories

ness, and about five per cent become critical, requiring supportive treatment such as oxygen and mechanical ventilation. Advanced age and pre-existing medical conditions are risk factors for severe outcomes.

The massive influx of patients requiring medical attention for COVID-19 can overwhelm hospitals’ capacity to provide care for all who need it. Sharp increases in critical illnesses have already exhausted both biomedical supplies and personnel in some countries. For this reason, Etienne urged hospitals to develop surge plans and to ensure that health personnel have the personal protective equipment and training they need to prevent infection.

“Health personnel are the first line of defense against this pandemic. We must protect them so they can take care of all of us,” she said.

Currently there is no specific treatment for COVID-19. In severe cases, timely supportive therapy is key and includes oxygen, hydration and fever and pain relief.

PAHO experts are working with ministries

of health in the Americas to prepare their countries’ health services to handle increased patient flows and to strengthen infection prevention and control.

“The course of the pandemic will depend on what measures countries take,”

said Etienne. She said that three main scenarios are now unfolding in the countries of the Americas: clusters of COVID-19 cases related to imported cases; outbreaks in “closed spaces” such as nursing homes; and community transmis-

sion.

Many countries have already taken action to reduce the rate of transmission and protect their populations, ranging from declaring a state of emergency to closing borders, schools and universities, and promoting social distancing.

“PAHO continues to work with countries

to provide support and respond together to this pandemic,” said Etienne.

“We should expect all countries to report cases. We need to reduce transmission, flatten the curve and avoid situations that can overwhelm our hospitals and our health personnel to save lives.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 19, 2020

CWI offer to host England Test series in Caribbean

By George Dobell Senior correspondent at ESPNcricinfo

ENGLAND’S home series against West Indies could be rescheduled until September or even played in the Caribbean due to the COVID-19 crisis.

At present the sides are scheduled to play three Tests in England with the first due to start at The Kia Oval on June 4.

But with it now all but inevitable that the start of the English domestic season will be significantly delayed and a peak in COVID-19 cases in the UK anticipated in June, it seems highly unlikely the series will proceed as planned.

ESPNcricinfo understands that the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and CWI have held several discussions in recent days.

The options under consideration include the possibility of rescheduling the series - with September the most obvious time - or staging it in the Caribbean. It is understood CWI also offered to host England’s three-Test series against Pakistan, scheduled to start on July 30.

While there are COVID-19 cases in the Caribbean, the virus would appear, at this stage, to have taken hold far more in the UK. There have, for

example, been only two reported cases in each of Barbados and St Lucia and one in Antigua.

“I’ve spoken to Tom Harrison a couple of times in the last few days,” Johnny Grave, CWI’s CEO told ESPNcricinfo, “and assured him that we will be as flexible, supportive and helpful as possible.

“To that end, yes, we have offered to host the series here in the Caribbean if that is deemed helpful. The ECB would retain all commercial and broadcast rights.

“This is not about us trying to take advantage of the situation. It’s about the cricket community working together at a difficult time for everyone and, one of the many great things about the Caribbean is we can play cricket all year round.

There has long been a special relationship between the cricket communities in the Caribbean and England and we wanted to make it clear we will do everything we can to help.”

England are also scheduled to host Ireland for three ODIs in mid-September. It is possible, however, that two England squads - one Test and the other limited-overs - could be in action in different places at the same time.

West Indies also have other commitments later in the year. They are scheduled to host New Zealand (in three ODIs and three T20Is) between July 8 and July 19 before South Africa arrive (for two Tests and five T20Is) between July 23 and August 16. Financially, the series against England is more valuable to CWI however, so it remains possible those tours could also be rescheduled.

CWI are also understood to be considering the possibility of rescheduling the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) to December if necessary.

This would see it running for just three or four weeks - probably requiring the need for several double-headers - over the Christmas and New Year period and put it in competition with Australia’s Big Bash League. In a fast-moving situation, it seems all possibilities will be considered and it is far too early to confirm any details.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 19, 2020

‘CORDIAL AND UNITED’

Football leaders bury differences to tackle coronavirus

By Brian Homewood

BERN, Switzerland (Reuters) - After months of bick-

ering over new competitions, talks of closed super leagues

Travellers pass by a logo of the 2020 UEFA European Football Championship displayed on a wall inside Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport, in Otopeni, Romania, March 16, 2020

(Inquam photos/Octav Ganea via REUTERS)

and complaints of greed by elite clubs, football’s leaders have buried their differences to tackle the effects of the coronavirus outbreak.

On Tuesday, UEFA agreed to delay its flagship Euro 2020 competition for one year to allow domestic leagues to complete their seasons, once football resumes, and FIFA in turn recommended postponing its new Club World Cup from 2021.

“It was a relatively short call, probably the most united front of opinion I have seen in European football so far,” said Jonas Baer-Hoffmann, general secretary of the global players’ union FIFPRO, after a video conference with UEFA and representatives of clubs and leagues.

“It was a very cordial conversation -- not at all tense or contentious.”

That could not be said of recent encounters involving

football’s various stakeholders.

Only two weeks ago, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin told his organisation’s annual congress that “no football administrator, no matter the size of the ego, should think we are the stars of the game. We are only the guardians of the game.”

He didn’t mention any names but FIFA president Gianni Infantino, whose efforts to create the Club World Cup have not gone down well with UEFA, was sitting in the front row.

Last year, UEFA and the European Club Association (ECA), proposed a reform of the Champions League which would have turned it into semiclosed competition from 2024 onwards.

The proposal was eventually dropped amid widespread opposition led by Europe’s domestic leagues.

In December, the Financial Times and New York Times

reported that discussions led

by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez had taken place over the possibility of setting up a super league featuring the world’s richest clubs split into two divisions. Ceferin said the idea was “far-fetched” and “insane”.

Such reports of breakaways have become commonplace over the years as the financial gap grows between a handful of elite clubs and the rest.

Only two weeks ago, Andrea Agnelli, president of Serie A champions Juventus, questioned the right of smaller rivals Atalanta to take part in the Champions League because the club lacked “international history”.

FIFA’s ambitions for a 24-team Club World Cup have themselves been seen as an attempt to muscle in the lucrative club game and reduce financial dependency on the World Cup. But the tone was very different on Tuesday.

“It is at times like these, that the football community needs to show responsibility, unity, solidarity and altruism,” said Ceferin, while Baer-Hoffmann recognised that UEFA had taken a “significant hit” with its decision to postpone Euro 2020.

“Finding appropriate and fair solutions at global level is imperative,” added Infantino, who also proposed a fund to help those in football affected by the pandemic. “We need to think of all those around the world potentially impacted by our decisions.”

Reliance Sports Club main pavilion to be named in honour of Shivnandan Mandolall FORMER national youth son of the soil whose brief charismatic batting display player Rovendra Mandolall who now resides in Canada recently donated an undisclosed sum of cash to rehabilitate and paint the main pavilion at the Reliance Sports Club on the Essequibo Coast.

Following its completion, it will be named in honour of the late Shivnandan Mandolall, who was also a former national youth cricketer and the first Essequibian to captain an Under-19 team. Mandolall hailed from the village of Reliance and represented the Reliance Sports Club.

He succumbed at the age of 30 following a brief illness and has left to mourn his wife and two young children.

The Grounds Committee has since undertaken to celebrate his legacy, given that he was hailed as an outstanding

cricketing career would have positively touched the lives of many young cricketers, particularly those from Reliance, according to its chairman, Trevis Simon.

The late Shivnandan Mandolall

‘‘We are indeed saddened by the loss of a very talented cricketer whose

and energy in the field was quite unique, and it brought tremendous joy to many of us as friends and spectators alike,’’ reminisced Simon.

An annual cricket competition is also played in his memory and sponsored by Ravindra Mandolall, who also resides overseas. The transformation of the Reliance ground is now benefitting the community and it can now be considered as one of the better facilities in the Region. The main pavilion will be named as ‘Shivnandan Main Pavilion’.

A plaque bearing the image of the late cricketer and his record will also be unveiled at a simple ceremony that will be attended by his relatives, friends along with present and past cricketers. (Elroy Stephney)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 19, 2020

Tokyo 2020 Olympic organisers respond to frustrated athletes

By Luke Reddy

OLYMPIC organisers have warned “no solution will be ideal” in preparing for Tokyo 2020 after being accused of putting athletes “in danger”.

The summer showpiece is scheduled to begin on July 24 despite the relentless cancellation of sporting events as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

Olympic champion Katerina Stefanidi said the International Olympic Committee was “risking our health”.

Britain’s Katarina Johnson-Thompson said training had become “impossible”.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) responded, stating: “This is an exceptional situation which requires exceptional solutions. The IOC is committed to finding a solution with the least negative impact for the athletes, while protecting the integrity of the competition and the athletes’ health.

“No solution will be ideal in this situation, and this is why we are counting on the responsibility and solidarity of the athletes.”

‘I FEEL UNDER PRESSURE’ World heptathlon champion Johnson-Thompson, 27, is returning to the UK from her training base in France as a result of the country being in lockdown.

Tokyo 2020 organisers have pledged to deliver a “complete” Games but Johnson-Thompson said current guidance from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is confusing.

She said: “The IOC advice ‘encourages athletes to continue to prepare for the Olympics Games as best as they can’ with the Olympics only four months away but the government legislation is enforcing isolation at home, with tracks, gyms and public spaces closed.

“I feel under pressure to

train and keep the same routine, which is impossible.

“I’m in a very fortunate place given the circumstances. I’m healthy, well supported and I have already qualified for the Olympics.

All club training sessions, events, competitions, club committee and face-to-face meetings, athlete camps, running groups and social events have been suspended across England, Scotland and Wales.

Heptathlete Johnson-Thompson (left) and pole vault champion Stefanidi have expressed concerns

But at this moment it’s difficult to approach the season when everything has changed in the lead-up apart from the ultimate deadline.”

‘OUR HEALTH IS AT RISK’ Several athletes have joined Johnson-Thompson in

pointing to confusion on how they should prepare.

Stefanidi, who won gold for Greece in pole vault at Rio 2016, said: “This is not about how things will be in four months. This is about how things are now.

“The IOC wants us to keep risking our health, our family’s health and public health to train every day?

You are putting us in danger right now, today, not in four months.”

Hayley Wickenheiser, a member of the IOC, has said the Olympic governing body’s decision to “move ahead, with such conviction, is insensitive and irresponsible, given the state of humanity.”

Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) president Alejandro Blanco has told Reuters he would prefer this year’s Games be postponed.

Around 57% of the athletes set to attend the Games have so far qualified.

On Tuesday, IOC asked

athletes to continue preparations “as best they can”.

Jessica Judd, who represented Britain over 5000m at the 2019 world championships, tweeted: “How on earth are we meant to carry on preparing best we can?

“Will someone share with me what races we can do to get times and whether trials will go ahead and when training can return to normal?”

Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has insisted the Games will go ahead as planned in July.

Events including the handover of the Olympic torch in Athens have faced disruption.

At the time of publishing this article yesterday (10:30 GMT), World Health Organisation figures show more than 184 000 persons globally have been infected by coronavirus, with more than 7 500 deaths.

(BBC Sport)

Anderson says he is ‘anxious’ about the virus’ impact on cricket ENGLAND bowler James Anderson says he is feeling “a bit anxious” because of the impact coronavirus could have on his professional and personal life.

A possible rescheduling of the cricket season will be discussed today.

The 2020 County Championship is due to begin on April 12, while England are set to play West Indies in a three-Test series starting on June 4.

“Cricket and sport is not the be all and end all but it is my livelihood, it’s all I know,” Anderson, 37, said.

“There’s a chance we might not even bowl a ball this summer.”

The England and Wales Cricket Board has said all options are being looked at, including postponements and playing games behind closed doors.

England’s tour of Sri Lanka was called off last

week, while England and Nottinghamshire batsman Alex Hales and six Surrey men’s players are all self-isolating.

James Anderson has taken 584 wickets in 151 Tests for England

Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove said one contingency may be “playing no cricket at all” this season.

Anderson, England’s leading wicket-taker in Tests, last played in the second Test against South Africa in January before a rib injury ruled him out 11:40 hrs Bassam

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He had been left out of the squad for England’s cancelled two-Test tour of Sri Lanka in the hope of

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being fully fit for the start of the summer.

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“My wife’s mum and dad live in Spain so they are in lockdown. They are in the age group where there are concerns. The

anxiety is building up in our house because of not knowing what will happen in the next few months.”

(BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 19, 2020

BCB congratulates Trophy Stall U15, Female teams for winning inter-county titles

―Board looking to add U17 title to collection next year THE president and executives of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) have sent regards to the management and players of Berbice’s Trophy Stall Under-15 and Female teams for winning their respective inter-county tournament organised by

the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB).

The Boys U15 team played unbeaten on their way to the 2020 GCB/Dave’s West Indian Imports title while the senior ladies brought home the GCB/Superbet 50 overs title. Additionally, the Under

17 team finished as runner up to Demerara in the GCB/Rubis U17 inter county tournament.

Special congrats were issued to team Managers Ameer Rahaman, Angela Haniff along with coaches Leslie Solomon and Winston Smith. Winning captains

Rampertab Ramnauth and Shabika Gajnabi led by examples and were outstanding role models to their charges for the respective U15 and Senior Ladies team.

as a full-fledged West Indies international women’s player, was amazing in her own right leading with the bat and as captain of the Berbice team.

“The BCB is quite delighted at the success of our teams as it is just reward for the hard work, dedication

Berbice U15 Captain Rampertab Ramnauth and Shabika Gajnabi

Rampertab led as skipper and opener during the U15 tourney, ending as the leading run-scorer for his team and tournament. Gajnabi, who recently established herself

and combined effort of every board executives, club officials and the coaching staff.

Special mention must also be made of the Balram Samaroo led Selection Committee

who worked as a collective unit to select the best Berbice teams”, read the release.

Over the last two years, the BCB has organised numerous cricket tournaments at all levels and has made a great effort to invest heavily in junior and female cricket. The BCB also sent their thanks to tournament sponsors, Mr. Brian Ramphal and Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh of the United States, Mike’s Pharmacy, Lewison General Store, ex-Guyana/ West Indies Captain Ramnaresh Sarwan, Nand Persaud Co. Ltd and New York Business Group for their sponsorship of our junior and female tournaments.

The executives further added that they will be aiming to win the U17 Intercounty title after falling short to their task this year.

Lastly, the BCB recognised and hailed Trophy Stall boss Ramesh Sunich, the proud sponsor of all Berbice inter-county teams as well as other areas involving cricket in Berbice and Guyana overall.

Lara joins effort to encourage good habits to stave off COVID-19

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – West Indies batting legend Brian Lara has joined the fight against the deadly Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic with a video message to his fans around the cricket world, offering a bit of advice on staying safe as the virus spreads.

In the minute-long video posted to Instagram where he has close to 335 000 followers and on his Facebook page which is followed by more than 330 000, the 50-year-old double world record holder gives a detailed demonstration of the effective way of washing both hands with soap and water.

“This is real! Before you touch your face always wash your hands. Make sure you get that soap in…. This will not just benefit you but everyone around you. Let’s fight COVID-19 together,” said the Trinidadian who

is currently away from his homeland.

The spread of COVID-19 has resulted in several major sporting events being cancelled or postponed, globally and across the region.

A screenshot from the video posted on Brian Lara’s social media pages

Cricket West Indies (CWI) last weekend announced the suspension of the last two rounds of the Regional Four

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ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

Day Championship and an entire suite of youth tournaments for the next 30 days; while the region’s premier junior track and field meet, the CARIFTA Games, scheduled for next month in Bermuda, has been postponed.

Lara’s COVID-19 outreach video mirrors that of Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar who posted a similar video from inside a hotel room.

In the Twitter video referring to what he called the #SafeHandsChallenge, he says: “One simple thing we can do to keep the virus from spreading is to keep our hands clean. It is mandatory to wash hands with soap for 20 seconds. Always wash your hands thoroughly”.

Tendulkar’s video received over 41 000 views and was retweeted close to 1 250 times within five hours after he posted it.

After showing up in China in November 2019, COVID-19 has spread to scores of other countries, including several in the Caribbean. Aruba, Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curaçao, the Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Jamaica, Martinique, Saint Barthelemy, St Lucia, Saint Martin, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela have all reported cases of the virus that has claimed more than 7 426 lives globally.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 19, 2020

Association questions FIFA decision to remove Board PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – The move by the global governing body for football, FIFA, to take over the administration of the sport in the twin-island republic has been described as “an attempted coup”, “disrespectful”, “strange” and “unfortunate” by Board members of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA).

On Tuesday, FIFA announced that the TTFA’s board would be replaced by a normalisation committee to restore governance and financial stability to the beleaguered organization.

It said the decision was taken after an assessment it carried out in conjunction with continental governing body, CONCACAF, found extremely low overall financial management methods,

combined with a massive debt that resulted in the local body facing “a very real risk of insolvency and illiquidity”.

led by his predecessor David John-Williams, under which a multi-million-dollar debt was racked up. He further contend-

TTFA president William Wallace

But the TTFA’s president William Wallace was caught off-guard by the decision, questioning why such drastic action had been taken when no such move was made against the previous regime,

ed that the new executive had been making efforts to reduce the inherited debt since coming to office just under four months ago.

“It’s unfortunate in that we had four years of members of the TT Football Association complaining and many people outside the football fraternity asking what’s happening…. It’s little strange that an administration that has come into office in November and this

decision has been taken,” said Wallace, noting that he was yet to be officially informed by FIFA about the decision.

TTFA board member Keith Look Loy, meantime, strongly condemned the FIFA move.

“This is, in my view, an attempted coup d’etat by FIFA to remove a democratically elected administration, an administration elected by the will of the football community,” he said.

“They are seeking to overturn that will and acting like a colonial absentee landlord that feels he could do whatever he wants, regardless of what the local people think because their views don’t matter. It is highly disrespectful.”

Look Loy also questioned why FIFA had done nothing when the financial situation got out of hand under the previous TTFA leadership.

“FIFA presided over the mess created by John-Williams and his administration…. People, including myself, repeatedly pointed out to

FIFA officials that there was mismanagement. Their attitude was hands off and it was TTFA’s business, but suddenly it is their business,” he said.

Wallace and his United TTFA team defeated Team Impactors, led by John-Williams, 26-20 in the November 24, 2019 elections.

In the buildup to the vote, John-Williams appeared to have the support of FIFA president Gianni Infantino and CONCACAF president, Victor Montagliani, who visited the island for the grand opening of its Home of Football complex in Couva. “[FIFA] came and celebrated with him,” Look Loy said. “The TTFA electorate rejected John-Williams. They want to hold a new administration, that has done nothing wrong, responsible for the sins of John-Williams’ administration. It is objectionable, unreasonable and unacceptable, and we’re not going to be taking it lying down.”

Wallace, asked if he would appeal FIFA’s de-

cision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, said: “It is new territory for me, we need to get some information on that.”

In announcing the appointment of the normalisation committee, FIFA said the current financial situation was putting the TTFA and development of football in the country at risk, and corrective measures needed to be applied urgently.

The committee – which FIFA said would be made up of an adequate number of members to be identified by its administration, in consultation with CONCACAF –will have a maximum time of 24 months to carry out its work.

That work includes creating a debt repayment plan which the TTFA can implement, reviewing the local governing body’s statutes and ensuring their adherence to FIFA regulations, and overseeing new elections for an executive committee to run the TTFA again.

Roger Mayweather, uncle and trainer of Floyd, dies at 58 Blackwood says attention to fitness paying off … enters record books with massive 248 against Hurricanes

Roger Mayweather (left) was nicknamed ‘The Black Mamba’ during his in-ring career

FLOYD Mayweather says he is mourning the loss of “one of the most important people in my life” after the death of his uncle and former trainer Roger.

Roger Mayweather died on Tuesday, aged 58, following years of ill health.

After being a world champion himself, he helped train his nephew to become one of the greatest boxers in history over an unbeaten 50-fight career.

“Roger was a great champion and one of the best trainers in boxing,” said Floyd Mayweather, 43.

“My uncle was one of the most important people in my life inside and outside of the ring,” added Mayweather, who was already grieving after the mother of his three children died on March 11.

“Unfortunately, his health was failing him for several years and now he can finally rest in peace.

Roger meant the world to me, my father Floyd Sr, my uncle Jeff, our whole family, everyone in and around the Mayweather Boxing Gym and the entire boxing world. It is a terrible loss for all of us.”

A statement from Mayweather Promotions added: “Roger’s spirit lives on with us forever”.

No cause of death has been confirmed.

Roger Mayweather held world titles at featherweight and welterweight in the 1980s.

As a trainer, he guided his nephew to wins over Ricky Hatton and Oscar de la Hoya. (BBC Sport)

KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Jermaine Blackwood, who entered the record books last weekend with a massive double-century for Jamaica Scorpions against Leeward Islands Hurricanes, has credited his fitness routine for helping him reach the monumental score.

Small in stature but flamboyant in stroke play, Blackwood made 248 in over eight hours at the crease. He faced 332 balls and hit 33 fours and two sixes in Jamaica’s only innings in the match. They beat the hosts by an innings and 118 runs on the fourth morning at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua.

“Fitness is the key. I have been paying special attention to fitness all my career and this season,” the 28-year-old said. “It was a very special feeling to get to such a huge score. The plan was just to bat and bat and take the team to a big score.

It was good to get settled in and go big.”

With the regional four-day

first-class season suspended after eight rounds of matches, due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has touched several Caribbean countries, Blackwood is the leading run-scorer with 768 runs so far – including six half-centuries.

Jermaine Blackwood says fitness is key

His previous highest score this season was 98 against the Leewards at the Trelawny multi-purpose facility on the Jamaica north coast. Last Saturday, he added a century stand with captain John Campbell, who made 112.

“I had six half-centuries before the double- century, so it was the result of the hard work I have been doing this season. We got good advice from the coach who continued to remind me to just bat – don’t pressure myself, just stay at the wicket and accumulate the runs,” Blackwood said.

“I played well with John.

He did a great job, we spoke throughout and we enjoyed batting together. I always enjoy batting with him. We have a very good understanding when we bat together.”

Blackwood’s knock put him high in the pecking order as it was the fourth highest score by a Jamaican in regional first-class history dating back over 130 years.

The highest recorded score by a Jamaican in the first-class cricket in the region is 344 not out, made by the legendary George Headley against the Lord Tennyson’s XI back in 1932 at Melbourne Club Ground in Kingston.

The second highest score also came in that same innings from Clarence Pas-

sailaigue, who made 261 not out, as he added a record unbeaten stand of 487 with Headley.

Blackwood’s knock was just two runs short of the top score for Jamaica in the modern era – 250 not out

by Marlon Samuels against Guyana at Alpart in February 2011. Samuels actually has two other first-class scores over 250 – his Test best of 260 in Bangladesh in Khulna during his golden year, 2012; and 257 for the West Indies against Queensland in Brisbane ahead of the Frank Worrell Trophy Test Series back in 2005.

Chris Gayle is also one of the most distinguished run-makers among Jamaican batsmen with two triple-centuries in Test cricket – 333 in Sri Lanka and 317 against South Africa in Antigua; as well as 204 against New Zealand in Grenada.

He also has double centuries for Jamaica in the regional first-class tournament – 219 against Leeward Islands and 208 not out against the West Indies ‘B’ Team.

Captains Jason Holder and Joe Root with the Wisden Trophy (CWI Media/Kerrie Eversley of Brooks LaTouche photo)

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CWI offer to host England Test series in Caribbean Record-breaking Zane leads Radical Caribbean Cup BARBADOS’ Zane Maloney is the early leader of the 2020 Radical Caribbean Cup (RCC), following a hattrick of race wins in Sunday’s opening round at Bushy Park, Barbados.

On his way to building a 26-point lead over 2018 regional champion Stuart Maloney in the five-round series, he also set new qualifying and race records, improving on times set more than two years ago.

After two free practice sessions, qualifying began without Trinidad & Tobago’s (T&T) Zachary Boodram, whose car had developed engine problems which left him on the sidelines for the day.

Mark Maloney was the first to complete a flying lap of 61.780 seconds before 16-year-old Zane punched in the first sub-60 second lap, then chipped away as the 10-minute session ran its course, breaking the qualifying record for a third time with an eventual 57.660 seconds - more than half-a-second better than the previous mark set by his father Sean in 2018.

T&T’s Kristian Boodoosingh, who finished third in the 2019 RCC, was impressive throughout, improving on his previous personal best by six-tenths to finish second, nine-tenths behind Zane.

Brothers Stuart and Mark Maloney occupied the second row, with the returning Suleman Esuf fifth quickest, ahead of Boodoosingh’s T&T team-mate Luke Bhola.

Hampered by a down-on-power engine, Sean Maloney was seventh with England’s Brian Caudwell eighth and the grid was completed by newcomer Raymond Seebarran of Guyana.

Starting from the southern grid, Boodoosingh made a better start than pole man Zane, taking the lead downhill into the ‘W’s, and retaining it for two laps until an electrical fault caused his retirement in a similar fashion to his demise in last year’s opening round.

As the teenager eased away for a winning margin of 7.8 seconds, Stuart and Mark Maloney battled race-long, with the former finishing second and the latter third, while Esuf and Sean Maloney also tussled in close formation, until a PAGE

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brave challenge at the ‘W’s saw Maloney spin and run onto the grass, while Esuf carried on to finish fourth.

Caudwell was fifth, not a points-scorer under the Cup’s invited driver regulations, while Bhola and Seebarran finished sixth and seventh respectively, collecting the first points towards the new Nations Cup for T&T and Guyana respectively.

Zane was the first driver to benefit from the additional point for fastest lap with a new race record of

Zane Maloney is the early leader of the 2020 Radical Caribbean Cup (RCC)

58.068 seconds, five-hundredths better than Mark Maloney’s 2017 mark and also a new outright lap record for the 2.01-kilometre international circuit.

Caudwell and Sean Maloney sat on the front row of the reversed grid for the second race, Bhola and Esuf on row two, with Mark and Stuart Maloney on row three, while at the back were Zane and Boodoosingh.

Caudwell made a confident start, holding the lead for six laps until he was swamped by those behind. He eventually retired midway lap seven, as Zane assumed the lead.

It lasted only three laps, however, before his uncle Mark squeezed past at the ‘W’s, running nose-to-tail until Zane snatched the lead back at the Esses on the final lap.

Based on points scored in the first two races, Zane and Mark Maloney were on the front row for the day’s final encounter. Stuart Maloney and Esuf sat on row two, Sean Maloney and Bhola on row three, with Boodoosingh and Caudwell at the back.

Another good start from the pole-sitter saw him take the lead, which he held for four laps until passed

by Mark, who was eventually overtaken by Stuart just before the halfway mark in a big shuffle, which also benefitted Boodoosingh, who had made good progress from the back of the grid, to slot into fourth behind Esuf.

Two laps from home, Esuf’s car switched into safe mode, forcing him to retire and promoting Boodoosingh to third behind Zane Maloney, who had taken the lead from his uncle Stuart on the last lap.

The next round will be held on June 28 at the Frankie Boodram International Raceway in Wallerfield, Trinidad and Tobago.

Driver’s points after round 1: 1st Z. Maloney 77 points; 2nd Stuart Maloney 51pts; 3rd M. Maloney 46pts; 4th Sean Maloney 28pts; 5th Esuf 26pts; 6th Boodoosingh 25pts; 7th Bhola 18pts; 8th Seebarran 8pts.

Nations Cup points after round 1: 1st Barbados 75 points; 2nd Trinidad & Tobago 36pts; 4th Guyana 15pts. (Reprinted from Barbados Today)

Roger Mayweather, uncle and trainer of Floyd, dies at 58

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| THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020