Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_15_04_2020

WEDNESDAY 15th April, 2020

No. 105970

Guyanese playwright dies from COVID-19 PAGE

08

Adam Harris quits Kaieteur News 03 PAGE

... says too old to be fighting up behind anything

Region 4 accounts for 86% of 03 COVID-19 cases PAGE

–– confirmed cases now at 48, 44 persons infected through community spread

Woman kills 08 abusive partner PAGE

… had threatened to push her head in fire

Michael Gilkes

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Gov’t to set up COVID screening units in communities

IN addition to the setting up of regional COVID-19 hotlines across the country, steps are being taken to operationalise COVID-19 screening units at “hot spots” where significant number of reports come from, according to officials from the Health and Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC), which is coordinating the country’s response to the pandemic.

The proactive measures are being implemented to reduce escalation on the National COVID-19 hotline, as well as to ensure that the HEOC is able to reach those persons who need screening most. “We would not be waiting now for you to call; we would be going to the communities to practise active surveillance, to identify possible cases and give them the necessary attention or assistance that is needed,” noted HEOC Deputy Director, Dr. Leston Payne.

Dr. Payne was at the time speaking on an episode of “COVID Conversations”, organised by the Ministry of Public Health to update the public on measures being taken to

protect citizens, and curtail the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which first came to Guyana on March 11.

RESPONSE TIME Responding to questions on the HEOC’s response time to calls of suspected coronavirus cases incoming on the national COVID-19 hotline, Dr. Payne acknowledged that several factors affect how fast a response team is sent to a location after a call is received.

Noting that a triage system is in place to take care of that, Dr. Payne said: “The response team works on a 24-hour basis, but we identify the most critical of cases that come in, and we prioritise them.

Once we would’ve identified someone who needs an immediate clinical evaluation and possible transferal to a COVID institution, that is prioritised with the utmost sense of urgency.” He further noted: “For most persons, we get to them within half-an-hour, but it is an integrated approach, based on the clinical and

hemodynamic stability of the patient, that would determine who we will visit first.

But we want the public to rest assured that very soon, every region would have, at a minimum, three response teams to respond to any COVID-19-related issue.”

Dr. Payne reassured his audience that notwithstanding the challenges, the HEOC Response Unit is doing its best to tend to citizens and fight spread of the virus, which has already been responsible for over 117, 000 deaths globally.

“Some might feel we are not responding to them in a timely manner, but there’s a protocol that we have in place. The unit we send out is in keeping with the information we receive from the persons calling in,” the Doctor explained.

The COVID-19 hotline was set up to allow for citizens who suspect that they may have contracted the virus, or are exhibiting virus-related symptoms, to be able to call, so that a response team

could be sent to their home, as persons were previously being advised not to visit the hospital if they suspect that they may have the virus. This was due to the virus being easily spread through contact with infected surfaces contaminated through coughing or sneezing by infected persons.

HOTLINE CHALLENGES However, the hotline has seen its fair share of challenges, including reports of prank calls.

During the show, Dr. Payne explained that initially, a large volume calls on the hotline were related to COVID-19 sensitisation issues, and not to report suspected cases.

“The hotline was being bombarded with COVID sensitization matters like, ‘What is COVID?’ and ‘How can I protect myself and my family?’ ‘What home remedies can I use?’”

Dr. Payne related.

To remedy the situation, the HEOC embarked on a widespread sensitization campaign.

“What we did was to strategically start to sensitise specific target groups.

We flood social media with COVID sensitisation materials, started to mount billboards, and when we started to analyse afterwards, the calls coming in were not to have COVID-sensitive information, but to seek assistance,” Dr. Payne said.

However, there was still the issue of calls coming to the hotline from the various regions, with the HEOC being based in Georgetown.

The majority of the calls are from those regions where confirmed cases of the virus were eventually established, including Region Four (Demera-Mahaica), which is currently the country’s epicenter for confirmed cases, as well as Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

To assist the situation, Dr. Payne said a decision was taken to set up regional hotlines. Dr. Payne confirmed that Regions One (Barima-Waini), Three, Six

and 10 already have hotlines, while Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) have also set up their own COVID-19 hotlines.

“We are going to start decentralising the rapid-response approach. So if an individual calls from location ‘x’, we mobilise resources closest to that region or to that location so that the person can be seen in a timely manner,” Dr. Payne said.

HEOC Director, Dr. Colin James further explained that with limitations on travel, it is vitally important that the regions are equipped to handle the necessary cases for COVID-19 patitents, and therefore need individual hotlines to which citizens in the respective regions can reach out to. “In the initial phase, we had calls coming in from the outlier regions, like Six and Seven, and it’s not easy for us to go there to actually respond to that, especially during the lock- down.

So, now, when someone calls and identifies their region, we can provide them with the numbers to contact their specific regions,” Dr. James said.

Corentyne body-in-barrel suspect charged with murder SURAJ Verasammy, called “Radesh”, was, on Tuesday, charged with the murder of his reputed wife, when he appeared at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s court.

The 30-year-old labourer of Hampshire Village East Berbice Corentyne was not required to plead to the indictable charge when he appeared before magistrate Peter Hugh. Veerasammy was charged with the capital offence, after he confessed to investigators that he murdered his reputed wife then stuffed her remains in a barrel.

According to investigators, Veerasammy and his reputed wife, 24-year-old Deveika Narinedatt, called “Vanessa”, were having a heated argument during which the young woman wanted to leave the relationship. This caused Verasammy to have suicidal thoughts, but, after Narinedatt continued the argument, he, allegedly struck the woman to the head, knocking her unconscious as he continued to plunder several blows to her face and back of her head before taking a bed sheet and hanging her in the house they shared in Hampshire, East Berbice Corentyne.

He left the woman hanging for several hours then took one of two blue barrels in the yard and stuffed her remains

Suraj Verasammy and Deveika Narinedatt into it. He then rolled the barrel out of the yard into a nearby trench where he dumped the woman he felt he could not live without. Following the discovery of the body on Saturday, the police were seeking his whereabouts and he was eventually found on Sunday hiding under the Canje Bridge, at the Dharam Shala, where he took shelter. On Mon-

day he confessed to the crime and was processed and placed before the courts on Tuesday after he was charged. He was remanded to prison and will make his second court appearance on June 9, 2020, at the Albion Magistrate’s court.

Meanwhile, as the picture of the young woman was circulated in the media, relatives identified the woman as Deveika ‘Vanessa’ Narinedatt, formerly of Lot 361, Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo. Her father Chandrika Narinedatt was invited to witness the post mortem conducted on Tuesday morning by pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh at Anthony’s Funeral Home, on the West Coast Berbice. Details revealed the cause of death as asphyxiation due to compound neck injuries and blunt force trauma to the back of the head.

The body of Narinedatt was discovered, on Saturday morning, partially submerged in a small trench at R & S Street in Belvedere, East Berbice Corentyne, after it began to smell. A neighbour who went to investigate noticed a foot dangling from the barrel and he raised an alarm. The police were summoned.

The couple had moved into the area about five months ago, and neighbours noted that they had frequent arguments.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Region 4 accounts for 86% of COVID-19 cases –– confirmed cases now at 48, 44 persons infected through community spread

AS cases of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease continue to increase, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) has been identified as the “epicentre” for this disease, accounting for 84 per cent of the cases.

This was according to Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, during a virtual update on the COVID-19 pandemic, on Tuesday.

According to Minister Lawrence, the number of confirmed cases have moved from 47 to 48, with Region 4 accounting for most of those cases, followed by Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), which account for five per cent each, and Regions One (Barima-Waini) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) which have two per cent each.

The minister said 60 per cent of the persons, who tested positive for the disease, are males and 40 per cent are females.

“Of the 48 positive COVID-19 cases, four are known to have travelled from another country and the other 44 persons contracted the Coronavirus

Disease in Guyana,” said Minister Lawrence.

So far, 224 persons have been tested for the COVID-19 disease, with 176 of those persons testing negative and eight of the positive cases recovering from the disease. Deaths caused by the disease remain at six.

As health authorities continue to monitor the situation, 34 persons have been placed in isolation while 21 persons are in quarantine.

Five of the infected persons are being treated in the COVID-19 ICU. “Let me take this opportunity to remind you that there are neither vaccines nor medications to address the coronavirus disease; the medical personnel will treat you according to the symptoms you present,” said Minister Lawrence.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be an issue which should not be taken lightly, and to reinforce that point, the minister said authorities were recently forced to take action after four Venezuelan migrants disregarded the home quarantine guidelines and tried to flee to Mahdia and Lethem.

They were, however,

intercepted and placed in institutional quarantine thanks to the teamwork of the Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC) and the Guyana Police Force, said Minister Lawrence.

“We applaud the team for their quick action to avert any possible spread to our citizens in those communities. I wish to reiterate that persons on home quarantine need to adhere to guidelines when asked, for their sake and others,” said the minister.

She reminded persons that it is their responsibility to comply with the regulations and guidelines provided by the public health ministry. She encouraged persons to stay home and only leave if it is “absolutely” necessary.

Globally, there are more than 1.8 million cases of COVID-19, with over 111,000 deaths. And, with no approved treatment or cure, there is no assurance that persons will survive after contracting the disease.

In the absence of approved medication, governments and authorities across the world have employed a number of preventative measures to contain the spread of the disease.

President David Granger, in an address to the nation on Saturday evening, said Guyana is in line to receive approximately 30,000 masks, a number of ventilators and other medical equipment from the People’s Republic of China as it ups its fight against COVID-19. Added to that, the country has turned to the Government of India for financial assistance.

According to President Granger, the fight requires unprecedented expenditure and outlay of resources to enable identification and testing, isolation, protection and treatment. These added resources will complement systems already in place to suppress the spread of the virus and provide appropriate medical attention.

As the country wages war against the deadly disease, the Head of State said the efforts of the country’s frontline workers, in particular, those within the medical field, should not go unnoticed.

“I ask you, however, to think tenderly of our public health professionals and service providers, that is to say, our doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and all other supporting staff – medical

and non-medical – who are providing the required care for those in distress.

Public health practitioners are on the frontline of protecting those stricken by the disease. They have been working tirelessly through this very difficult situation to provide quality healthcare to those who have been infected and afflicted. Everyone in the public health system has played a vital part in the fight against this disease,” he said.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the newly discovered coronavirus.

WHO said most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illnesses and recover without requiring special treatment.

Older persons and those with underlying medical problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer, are more likely to develop serious illness.

The WHO believes that the best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the virus, the disease it caus-

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence es and how it is spread.

“Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol-based rub frequently and not touching your face.

The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practise respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow),” the WHO has advised.

Adam Harris quits Kaieteur News ... says too old to be fighting up behind anything

Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall DECLARING that he is “too old to fight-up behind anything,” Editor-in-Chief (EIC) of the Kaieteur News, Adam Harris, has confirmed that he has resigned from that media house, and is currently working on developing a television newscast at Channel 9.

He also disclosed having plans to start an Online publication, and working on a radio feature.

Harris has been with the Kaieteur News since 1994, when it was a weekly publication and he worked as a contributor. After the paper

developed into a daily, Harris began working with it fulltime as EIC in 2008. Harris, 71, said his resignation has been effective since April 1.

He said he had indicated to the owner of the newspaper, Glenn Lall, that he’d intended retire, but acknowledged that there were issues between himself and Lall.

“For as long as I can remember, we have had problems with issues over and over and over,” Harris said.

“He would have one view, and I would have another, and we would reconcile.

But after awhile, sometimes you just feel that there is no need to continue to disagree over simple things; you get tired.

That was it really; we have our own issues, and I said I didn’t agree with it.

And once you get disagreements, and you’re old, you walk away. In my case, I too old to fight-up behind

anything.”

LATEST DISAGREEMENT Asked whether their latest disagreement had anything to do with political differences, Harris replied, “At any Media House, the whole editorial are people of differing political views, but the owner dictates the tone of the paper.

You can only argue for professionalism; you would not want to carry anything untrue. It depends on where you are working, and how strong you can argue against it.”

The Kaieteur News, over the past few months, has been distinct in its political bias of the governing ‘Coalition’, and backing the People Progressive Party/Civic (PPPC)/, a party the newspaper once stood firm in calling out for its corruption while e in power, from 1992 until 2015.

Harris noted that it was the

newspaper’s determination to go where other newspapers dared not, during the PPP/C’s reign that led to its rising to become one of the country’s most popular dailies. “We looked at issues that people would want to read. During the crime wave, from 2002 – 2006, we took a decision of how we were covering it, and a lot of brave souls went into the ‘belly of the beast’ to get the stories that nobody else wanted to do, so John Public gravitated towards the newspaper,” Harris related.

The veteran journalist said that since leaving the newspaper, he has been bombarded with offers for other work, but is taking his time about accepting.

“There’s a lot of things, but there’s only one me, so I will have to start saying ‘No’ to a couple of people who have been approaching me.

The plans are many; but right now, I’m doing the Channel

9 newscast, working to frame a newspaper, and working to have a feature on radio,” Harris shared.

With over 45 years in the journalism industry under his belt, Harris shot to fame during his years as an Information Officer with the then Ministry of Information, which he started with in 1973. Harris is also well known for his years of working as a teacher in Bartica.

A national awardee for his years of service to the media sector, Harris has worked at a number of media houses in varying positions, including television news casts at the Evening News, which aired on Channel 28; and Prime News, which started in 2000.

Harris has also worked in the 80s at the New Nation, also formerly served as EIC of the State-owned Guyana Chronicle news-

Former EIC of the Kaieteur News, Adam Harris paper, where he had first begun working in 1980 as a News Editor. After a short break, he returned in 1988, again as an editor, and was made EIC in 1989.

With the change of government in 1992, Harris tendered his resignation from the Guyana Chronicle, and later found it difficult to secure a job due to political influences during the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)’s time in government.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Coronavirus: Trump feuds with governors over authority

Trump says US 'halting funding' to WHO over coronavirus response

(BBC) New York Governor Andrew Cuomo accused President Donald Trump of "spoiling for a fight", as the US leader lashed out at "Democrat Governors".

Several states, including New York, have begun cautious talks on reopening, but Mr Trump has claimed he has "total" power to lift virus lockdowns.

Mr Cuomo refuted the claim on Tuesday as Mr Trump took to Twitter to criticise the governor.

The US is the epicentre of the pandemic with 592,743 cases and 25,239 deaths.

New York state has the most cases, with almost 190,000 cases and over 10,000 deaths. However, it has seen signs of improvement, with the number of people hospitalised due to coronavirus falling for the first time on Tuesday.

(AL JAZEERA) US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he has instructed his administration to at least temporarily halt funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump, at a White House news conference, said the WHO had "failed in its basic duty and it must be held accountable".

He accused the group of promoting China's "disinformation" about the virus that likely led to a wider outbreak of the virus than otherwise would have occurred.

WHAT'S THE ROW ABOUT? On Monday, Mr Trump wrote on Twitter that deciding when to reopen states was "the

decision of the president", not state governors, although he added that he would make his decision "in conjunction with governors".

The US Constitution says that states maintain public order and safety. So far, it has been individual state governors who have issued lockdown or shelter-in-place orders.

Also on Monday, several US state governors discussed plans to resume economic activity without apparent input from the Trump administration.

Ten states - seven on the East Coast, led by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and three on the West Coast, led

by California Governor Gavin Newsom, said they would co-ordinate how to reopen businesses after the outbreak is contained. All but one of the states is led by a Democratic governor.

Now, a row has erupted over who has the ultimate authority to lift lockdown orders.

WHO SAID WHAT? On Monday night, Mr

Wednesday, April 15, 2019 - 11:30 hrs. ― 13:30 Hrs.

Trump gave a combative press conference where he feuded with reporters, criticised their coverage of how he handled the outbreak, and said that when it came to reopening the economy, "the president of the United States calls the shots".

"When somebody is the president of the United States, the authority is total," he said, adding: "They can't do anything without the approval of the president of the United States."

His position has been contradicted by governors and legal experts. It also contrasts with his earlier position that the responsibility for fighting the outbreak and order lockdowns lies primarily with state governors.

The row continued on Tuesday, as Mr Cuomo told CBS Mr Trump did not have total authority to decide when to reopen businesses, because "we don't have a king, we have a president".

During his daily press briefing, Mr Cuomo criticised Mr Trump, adding he would "not engage" in a fight with him, but would have "no choice" if the president the threatened the welfare of New Yorkers.

He added: "I put my hand out in total partnership and co-operation with the president."

Meanwhile, Mr Trump took the row to Twitter on Tuesday, criticising Mr Cuomo and issuing an oblique snipe at other governors.

"Tell the Democrat Governors that 'Mutiny On The Bounty" was one of my all time favourite movies," Mr Trump, a Republican, wrote.

"A good old fashioned mutiny every now and then is an exciting and invigorating thing to watch, especially when the mutineers need so much from the Captain." The tale tells of a ship's revolt in which mutineers meet with unhappy ends, with Mr Trump appearing to compare himself to the captain.

The president aimed particular fire at Mr Cuomo, who he said was calling "daily, even hourly, begging for everything," like hospitals, beds, ventilators for his state. New York remains the US state hardest-hit by the coronavirus outbreak, reporting 778 deaths in the past 24 hours.

However, Mr Trump struck a less combative tone later on Tuesday, saying he would make a decision on the econo-

my "in conjunction with governors" soon.

"We have tremendous support from governors, and what I do is going to be done in conjunction with governors."

The Trump administration had previously signalled 1 May as a potential date for easing the restrictions.

The current White House recommendations for Americans to avoid restaurants and non-essential travel and keep in-person gatherings to no more than 10 people expire on 30 April.

However, the US's top infectious diseases adviser, Dr Anthony Fauci, told AP on Tuesday that the 1 May date might be "a bit overly optimistic".

Referring to testing and tracing procedures, he said: "We have to have something in place that is efficient and that we can rely on, and we're not there yet."

What else did Trump say?

Mr Trump told Monday's briefing he did not intend to fire Anthony Fauci - a day after the president shared a tweet with the hashtag "#firefauci".

Dr Fauci incurred the ire of the president's supporters after he told CNN that lives could have been saved if the US had shut down earlier during the coronavirus outbreak.

Mr Trump invited Dr Fauci - a key member of the White House coronavirus task force - to the stage in the opening minutes of the briefing.

The president said that he and Dr Fauci had been on the same page "from the beginning" and declared he liked the respected doctor.

"I think he's a wonderful guy," Mr Trump said, while adding that not everyone was happy with the health expert.

Dr Fauci has contradicted or corrected Mr Trump on scientific matters during the public health crisis. But on Monday, he conceded he had used "a poor choice of words" in his CNN interview.

While Mr Trump initially played down the threat of coronavirus, he was by no means alone among US public officials in doing so.

Dr Fauci himself on 17 February said the danger from coronavirus is "just minuscule" compared with the "real and present danger" of flu.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 15, 2020

‘GECOM goes back to CARICOM’ … requests high-level team for recount exercise

By Svetlana Marshall

CHAIRPERSON of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh has written the Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Ambassador Irwin LaRocque to request the presence of and ascertain CARICOM’s willingness to have its high-level team return to Guyana during the execution of a National Recount of all the votes cast at the March 2, 2020 Elections.

It was during Tuesday’s meeting of the Commission that Justice Singh informed the six Commissioners that a letter was dispatched to the CARICOM Secretariat located here in Guyana. Official communication was made with CARICOM in light of the April 6 decision of the Elections Commission that it would be prudent to have the Caribbean Community involved in the planned National

Recount; not to supervise as previously approved, but to validate the process.

Outside of GECOM’s High and Cowan Streets Head office, Commissioner Vincent Alexander and Commissioner Sase Gunraj, in disclosing that GECOM has officially communicated with CARICOM, agreed that the presence of a high-level CARICOM team would be different from that of a regular Elections Observation Mission (EOM).

GECOM’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) Yolanda Ward, when contacted by the Guyana Chronicle, confirmed the position taken by the Elections Commission.

“The Commission felt that CARICOM’s presence will lend to a greater level of transparency in the process,” Ward told this newspaper.

She, too, confirmed that should a high-level CARICOM team return to Guyana, it will not operate as an EOM. “They

will be more integral in the process than what a regular observer is required to do. Their presence in the process is not just as mere observers,” the GECOM PRO posited.

It was explained that while GECOM has issued a correspondence to CARICOM, a formal invitation would have to be sent by the Government of Guyana. “That kind of international invitation needs to come from the level of the Executive.

So, once CARICOM agrees that the high-level delegation will return, it means that we will now communicate that to the Executive, so that the invitation can be issued,” Ward explained.

On March 17, 2020, the Elections Commission had approved a CARICOM- supervised recount, but the Court of Appeal, on April 5, made it clear that it would be unconstitutional for CARICOM, or any other authority besides GECOM, to supervise any aspect of the Elections in Guy-

ana. However, days before the judgement of the court, the Elections Commission had agreed to proceed with the recount, but under the supervision of the GECOM. On the instruction of CARICOM Chairman, Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley, a high-level CARICOM team had arrived in Guyana on March 15 to supervise a planned national recounting of the ballots cast in the March 2 Elections, which had stemmed from an agreement between President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.

However, on March 17, 2020, the high-level team withdrew from the process, after it was beset by several stumbling blocks. A private citizen, Ulita Moore, secured four injunctions from the High Court to block the recount, on the grounds that it was unconstitutional. Added to that, though President Granger and the Op-

position Leader had signed an Aide Memoire agreeing to the recount, CARICOM had requested a legal cover, in the form of a gazzetted order.

However, Guyana’s Chief Parliamentary Counsel, Charles Fung-a-Fat, advised against it. According to him, to do so would be to supersede electoral laws, and infringe on the rights of electors.

The independent high-level team was chaired by former Attorney-General and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Dominica, Ms. Francine Baron, and comprised former Minister of Finance of Grenada, Mr. Anthony Boatswain; Senior Lecturer in the Department of Government of UWI Ms. Cynthia Barrow-Giles; Chief Electoral Officer of Barbados Ms. Angela Taylor; and Chief Elections Officer of Trinidad and Tobago Ms. Fern Narcis-Scope.

Days after the Appellate Court had ruled, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago,

GECOM Chair Justice Claudette Singh Dr. Keith Rowley, while expressing deep concern over the electoral challenges facing Guyana, said CARICOM stands committed to assist GECOM in the execution of the recount.

He had formed part of a team of CARICOM Heads of Government that had met with President Granger and the Opposition Leader in the lead-up to the agreement, after the tabulation of the votes in District Four had encounterred challenges.

New recount plan likely today TODAY, the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, is expected to submit his revised operational plan for the national recount to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The Elections Commission, chaired by Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, had expected that the modified plan would have been tabled on Tuesday, however, the CEO sought further clarification. Nonetheless, the Commission remains hopeful that the revised plan would be available today for discussion.

“We are expecting…an amended document, hopefully a final draft, from the Secretariat, so the Commission could finalise,” Opposition nominated Commissioner Sase Gunraj told reporters shortly after exiting the meeting of the Commission on Tuesday.

Government-nominated Commissioner, Vincent Alexander, explained that, while the Commission had taken certain decisions last Friday during a more than seven-hour long meeting, those decisions were not clearly reflected in the Minutes of the meeting. As such, the CEO sought further clar-

GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj ification.

The issues surrounded the nature of the recount and the role of the Elections Commission. “The Minutes seemed not to have been definitive as to the nature of the recount, which is a fundamental issue,” Alexander told reporters.

Further to that, he said the Secretariat, led by Lowenfield, was uncertain of the decision taken with respect to the role of the Commission.

He said the Secretariat wanted clarification on “whether the Commission will insert itself in the process or whether it will stand above the fray.”

Alexander said even as the Secretariat sought clarity

on matters of importance, there were other Commissioners attempting to reignite issues that were already resolved by the Commission.

That aside, he said the Commission took a decision to have a site visit conducted at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC), where the National Recount will take place. That visit is scheduled for today, and will more than likely influence the Commission’s decision when it moves to finalise the operational plan.

In his initial draft operational plan for the recount of all the votes cast at the March 2 General and Regional Elections, the CEO had indicated that the process would take 156 days.

However, the number of days is likely to be reduced based on guidance given by the commission. It, however, will not likely be reduced to 10 days as proposed by the opposition-nominated commissioners.

The CEO’s initial proposal was influenced, in part, by an indication that there should be two commissioners assigned to each workstation.

However, that restriction has since been removed, paving the way for the Elections Secretariat to increase the

number of workstations from three (3). But the time taken to count each ballot box will also influence his operational plan.

There is a total of 2, 339 ballot boxes, and, according to the CEO’s estimation, it will take each team approximately two (2) hours to count each of the boxes. It was explained that each ballot would need to be projected on a screen, but before arriving at that stage, the contents of the ballot boxes would have to be examined to ascertain the number of electors on the list, the number of electors who voted, counting votes cast for both General and Regional Elections and

GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander validation of spoilt, questioned and rejected ballots.

In his proposed operational plan, the workstations would

operate simultaneously for a period of 10 hours daily (09:00hrs – 19:00hrs).

In light of increasing demands that the recount be done within a period of two weeks or less, Commissioner Alexander has repeatedly indicated that the recount will not be merely a numerical recount.

He posited that from the inception, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) high-level team, which had arrived midMarch to spearhead the process, had acknowledged, and it was agreed by the commission, that it would not have merely been a numerical count of the ballots.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 15, 2020

COVID-19 and our local economy

T

HE intensification of efforts to curtail the spread of COVID19 has resulted in many private sector enterprises operating on reduced hours or closing their doors indefinitely, as we await further guidance from the government as the situation continues to develop.

In a similar manner, public sector organisations have also implemented measures aimed at combatting the spread of COVID19. Collectively, the work force, formal and informal, have been greatly affected by COVID19. Consequently, concerned citizens are anticipating that we could be looking at some form of financial crash or recession, as many other nations in the world, prepare for the worst. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the expected downturn as a result of COVID19 could cause the “worse economic fallout since the Great Depression”.

COVID19 will indeed have an effect on our economy as we have already seen businesses sending home workers without pay and/or dismissing workers until further notice.

What remains to be seen however is the medium to long term effect the pandemic could have on Guyana’s economy, if any.

According to Rawle Lucas, an Economist and member of the Board of Directors at the Bank of Guyana, COVID19 has had a negative effect on global production, consumption and capital accumulation which are all root factors in a financial crisis. Mr. Lucas stated “If people don’t have money then they can’t buy anything; if people are not buying then people will not produce because they can’t sell it. So, the way in which I would look at it from a general sense is to say that we have to find a way to

put money in than hands of people”.

Whilst most of the news surrounding COVID19 is negative in its outlook, especially in the economic sense, Guyanese should be comforted by our economy’s ability to withstand the resultant economic downturn from COVID19. There are a number of reasons to adopt this position. Firstly, during the 2008/09 global financial crash/recession which was at the time, the worst since the Great Depression, Guyana’s economy was able to withstand the downturn because of gold. At the time of the recession, gold prices jumped exponentially as demand for the mineral grew. Traditionally, gold is referred to as a “safe haven” in financial markets, meaning that in times of volatility, investors usually pin their money on gold weathering the storm.

Secondly, Guyana recorded 4.7% economic growth in 2019, largely owing to the rapid growth of the nascent tourism and hospitality sector which in 2019 alone raked in approximately $67 billion dollars. Much of this growth was expected to continue in 2020 as Guyana became the number 1 eco-tourism destination in the world. However, since the emergence of COVID19 and the restriction on domestic and international travel, growth in this sector has been severely disrupted, not only in Guyana but in other nations which are dependent on the tourism and hospitality sector. Fortunately for Guyana, our economy does not depend solely on the success of the tourism and hospitality sector, and though its contribution to our economic growth has been marked, it has not yet become a lynchpin or measure of our economy’s true potential for growth.

Thirdly, more growth is expected to follow. Since the discovery of vast oil reserves offshore, various financial entities have predicted the growth trajectory of the Guyanese economy. The IMF last year said that our $4billion annual GDP is respected to reach approximately $15billion by 2024 as our nation is predicted to be amongst the world’s largest per-capita oil producers by 2025. Similarly, the NASDAQ had listed Guyana as the fastest growing economy in the world and projected our growth rate at 16.3% from 2018-2021. Based on previous years of economic growth, Guyana’s economy is expected to continuing growing at 33.5% this year and 22.9% next year in 2021, according to the NASDAQ analysis.

According to the World Bank, real gross domestic product (GDP) at constant market price is expected to be 51.7% and is expected to continue into 2021 and 2022, with real GDP growth expected to be 8.7% and 2.6%. In short, our economy has been pegged to experience exponential growth in the next five years due to the nation’s new-found oil wealth, the first profits of which were secured only last month.

The current pandemic requires assurances that Guyanese will be taken care of financially as we continue to weather the COVID19 global pandemic. The government needs to put together some form of financial stimulus package to ensure that citizens are able to meet their basic needs. That being said, the current political impasse must be addressed as soon as possible so that a legitimate government is able to work out and mitigate any potential damage to our economy.

There’s more to it than the fight for democracy, PPP Dear editor,

P

LEASE allow me a space to share my views, and I think many will also feel the same, and have the same view as to what has been happening since the March 2020 elections.

Let me say clearly that this fight that many is calling the fight for democracy is untrue; it is a fight for more than democracy by the PPP and its associates that is taking place in Guyana.

This fight is all about power, and getting back that which was invested because PP and its financiers invested heavily before the No-Confidence Motion (NCM), during the NCM, after the NCM, and up to the March 2020 elections.

Firstly, I can recall that there were lots of allegations that were never denied; that the PPP paid a heavy fee to the person that voted in favour of their NCM vote. It was revealed when the said person who betrayed his nation was seeking to purchase gold in large quantities, and referred to it as "casareep". This is the very man that didn't have monies a few months before to seek medical attention in Canada, and had to ask the Hon Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Security for a raise to do same.

Secondly, the PPP had taken the NCM to the CCJ, and they had lawyers from Trinidad who were representing them in that matter. Therefore, the financiers of the PPP had to make investments there again, in ensuring they have their way.

As we all know, he NCM had a long court battle, and again it is safe to say that this was another investment by the PPP to overthrow a democratically-elected government.

Thirdly, after the NCM, or I would want to believe that even during the NCM, the PPP was in talks with the lobbying firm, "Mercury". The PPP then hired this said lobbying firm to advise them, and put plans in place towards the 2020 elections. The GS of the PPP, who is a dictator, admitted to the hiring of the said firm. Again, the PPP financiers had to pull out tens of millions of dollars to invest in hiring Mercury. If I can recall, two times that the firm was contracted.

This is the firm that started to corrupt the minds of Guyanese, as they created fake Facebook pages and profiles, fake digital news outlets, etc. This is the firm that also ensured the PPP based their elections campaign on race and false information, so that their supporters will fall for it.

Not long before the March 2020 elections, the PPP and Bharrat got into full swing in ensuring that they used the method that Mercury gave to them, and Bharrat, during one of his press conferences, told the nation that the PPP won't take the March 2020 elections lightly if they are told that they lost.

This is when Bharrat started to issue threats that his supporters won't take it easy if they are to lose, and they will ensure that they do all that it has to in ensuring the elections go the PPP way and no other way.

Fourthly, the PPP invested heavily in the 2020 elections campaign. It is believed that their financiers had invested tens of millions of dollars in digital and print media advertisements, banners, posters, flags, etc. It is also said that millions of dollars were spent to bus in their supporters to the public meetings and rallies.

The PPP and its financier's funds are running low, and that was very evident when attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall asked the CJ to see with him and return his $500,000, I believe, for his sleepless nights, and hiring of the Trinidad lawyer.

Brothers and sisters, don't be fooled by the gimmicks of the PPP that they won the elections. The PPP had to announce that the very next day to corrupt the entire elections process as the tabulation was taking place. The PPP blindsided the foreign observers, because they didn't even catch themselves as to what the PPP is about and doing.

Soon as the PPP announced hey won, their supporters and financiers in Trinidad started to celebrate before Guyanese could have. They felt the importance of that announcement, and started to rejoice, because they knew their investment was not in vain.

But little did they know that the entire story of the fraudulent acts of the PPP had started to be revealed publicly, and the PPP and its financiers started to get worried, because it is a shame

that a company like Mercury, which was implicated in the US elections process, could not have their way so far in a small and tiny country like Guyana.

This fight of the PPP is not about democracy; don't be fooled by the PPP and its associates. This fight is all about the fight for power in gaining government. It’s a fight for the PPP to ensure that its financiers feel confident in them, so as to continue the investment in them. It's a fight to ensure they get power, so that the fraud charges against Irfaan Ali can be pushed aside, and also the law books case against Nandlall die away. It's a fight to ensure that they get the opportunity to provide their financiers with what was promised to them.

This fight that the PPP and its associates are calling a fight for democracy is a fight to ensure that Bharrat Jagdeo has a third term as President, because he will be the one calling the shots and not Irfaan Ali. Ali is said to be the man that will be tied with strings, and that those strings will be pulled by Bharrat, as he plays the tune as the master for the puppet to sing.

This fight is for the PPP to gain power, repay and enrich its financiers, and mostly for Bharrat to have his Third Term.

GECOM needs to act and act now. The ten ROs already did their final declarations, and some of the ROs denied having recounts of their regions being done. The CEO is ready to provide/give his report to the Chair and Commissioners of GECOM to have the final declaration to be given by the CEO to the nation.

Allow the President to swear in, and if the PPP and its small parties have a problem with the results, then they can challenge it by filing an Elections Petition after the final declaration has been made.

So, the fight for democracy that the PPP and its associates are claiming they are doing is a totally false fight, and it’s a fight for power so that their investors can be refunded, and the promise to them being fulfilled by PPP. Regards, Abel Seetaram

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Guyana Prison Service receives donation of 30 tablets from Gov’t

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…aimed at facilitating communication between prisoners and families during COVID-19 pandemic THE COVID-19 restrictions have barred persons from visiting their relatives in prison. However, prisoners will soon have the opportunity to communicate with their families virtually, now that the Guyana Prison Service has been gifted with 30 tablets.

The tablets were donated by the Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes, on April 9. Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, In a statement, said the tablets will aid in more accessible communication between prisoners and their families during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

It was explained that, recently, visits to prisoners by family members have been suspended as a result of the

threat of COVID-19. “The donation of tablets will now allow prisoners to contact family members via video conferencing, using the free government Wi-Fi that is already in place at the prisons,” the Ministry explained.

More than a year ago, the Government installed internet at the prisons in Camp Street, New Amsterdam, Lusignan holding Bay and Mazaruni. The initiative was part of the overall goal of providing internet to government ministries and agencies to enhance operations and communication between locations. Today access to the internet is playing a significant role in relief efforts to promote social distancing to ease the spread of the Coronavirus.

Wife abuser escapes police custody

BRAIN Hutchins, who was arrested for the brutal attack he carried out on his 28-year-old ex-partner, on March 7, 2020, at Leonora, West Coast Demerara (WCD), has escaped from police custody.

Hutchins, of Uitvlugt Side Line Dam, WCD, was nabbed by police on Saturday 11, 2020, and was kept in custody at the Leonora Police Station.

Regional Commander, Assistant Commissioner, Simon McBean, told the Guyana Chronicle that on Sunday 12,2020, at around 11:00hrs, Hutchins escaped and is still on the run.

According to reports, Hutchins and the victim shared a relationship which ended in June 2018, due to constant abuse.

On March 7, the victim was walking with her 14-year-old nephew in the vicinity of the Leonora Market when she was at-

tacked. Her sister worked at a nearby bar and they were going to accompany her home from work, due to it being almost midnight.

However, Hutchins came out from behind a container and attacked the victim. He dealt her several cuffs about her body and face before making good his escape. The victim was picked up in an unconscious state and rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital but was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and later discharged.

It is alleged that Hutchins was jealous and had threatened to kill the woman after they had separated.

Hutchins is also wanted for assaulting a police officer and escaping from police custody. A warrant has been issued by a magistrate for his arrest after he failed to attend court for a similar matter.

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes, presenting Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, with the tablets

Venezuelan migrants breach home quarantine protocols ―Currently under institutional quarantine

FOUR Venezuelan migrants were detained after attempting to breach home quarantine protocols and travel to another region in Guyana.

This was confirmed by Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence on Tuesday. “They disregarded the home quarantine guidelines, and were en route to Mahdia and Lethem. They were intercepted and placed in institutional quarantine, thanks to the teamwork of the HEOC and the Guyana Police Force,” the minis-

ter stated. The migrants were initially placed under home quarantine after there were some concerns about their displaying COVID-19 symptoms.

Persons in institutional quarantine are required to remain there for 14 days, during or after which a test for the virus is conducted. Once the person tests positive, they are then transferred to an isolation facility, where treatment is administered. If the test is negative, a medical evaluation is carried out by a

doctor, before clearance is given for the person to be released from institutional quarantine.

The Public Health Ministry has zero-tolerance for persons not complying with quarantine protocols and guidelines. Non-compliance presents a risk to the wider population. Minister Lawrence reiterated, “Persons on home quarantine need to adhere to guidelines when asked, for their sake and others. Let me remind everyone of our responsibility to comply with the

regulations and guidelines provided by the Ministry of Public Health to halt the spread of this pernicious disease among us.”

Just recently, Guyanese who were brought back home on a flight from Barbados agreed to undergo 14 days of quarantine before going home to their families. Twenty-one of those persons were eventually cleared, after their tests proved negative, and they showed no signs or symptoms of COVID-19. (DPI)

NA man gets bail for ganja plant cultivation F O RT Y- T W O - Y E A R - O L D Rakesh Sookram of Fifth Street, Islington, New Amsterdam, Berbice, pleaded not guilty to a charge of cultivating prohibited plants.

He appeared at the New Amsterdam Court before Mag-

istrate Peter Hugh and was granted $150,000 bail. Corporal Winston Poliah, prosecuting, said that, on Thursday April 9, ranks of the Guyana Police Force conducted a drug eradication exercise at Gateroy, Berbice River, where, at a cultivation

plot, fifteen thousand cannabis sativa plants, ranging between one foot to six feet in height were seen and was subsequently destroyed by fire. The defendant was arrested at the farm. He is expected to return to court on May 19.

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Guyanese playwright dies from COVID-19

FAMOUS Guyanese playwright and author, Michael Gilkes has died.

Reports are that Gilkes, who lived in the United Kingdom, contracted the coronavirus and died of complications in London. He was 87.

Gilkes’ last major project here was the movie “Maira and the Jaguar People”, a film which was set in the Rupununi in 2016.

The shoot was held in Surama, a predominantly Macushi village in the North Rupununi, where the story is set.

The production team included famed Cuban visual artist and director of photography, Omar Estrada and his crew, who flew in to capture the film on location.

During the shoot, the residents of Surama reportedly benefitted directly from the production of the film, since

they were actively involved in the technical and casting aspects of the production. The film was released in 2017.

Gilkes is a distinguished Caribbean critic, dramatist and former lecturer at several Universities, and more recently, a filmmaker.

His critical work includes ‘Wilson Harris and the Caribbean Novel (1975)’; ‘The Literate Imagination (1989)’, which is also about Harris; and ‘The West Indian Novel, Twayne’.

His play, ‘Couvade’, was published by Cape in 1974, while ‘A Pleasant Career ’, a play about the life and work of Edgar Mittelholzer, won the prestigious Guyana Prize for Drama in 1992. ‘Joanstown’ won the 2002 Guyana Prize for best book of poetry. He won the 2006 Guyana Prize for drama with his play, ‘The Last of the Redmen’.

Woman kills abusive partner …had threatened to push her head in fire Police are investigating the murder of Clarence Williams aka Clarence Millington aged 35 years, a miner of Big Cannaballi, Barama, Waini River, North West District which occurred at the said address on Sunday allegedly by his reputed wife.

Enquiries revealed that the deceased who was under the influence of alcohol had threatened to push the woman’s head in the fire. An argument ensued and the victim allegedly choked the suspect who was at the time cleaning fish with a knife.

The suspect became annoyed and allegedly stabbed the victim twice in the region of his groin.

He was later found motionless on his bed and was taken to the Kumaka District Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The body is at the hospital's mortuary awaiting a post mortem examination. The suspect is in custody assisting with the investigation.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 15, 2020

GECOM cannot violate the law to facilitate a recount

Dear Editor,

O

N March 22, 2020, the Guyana Court of Appeal (COA) vetoed GECOM’s plan to execute the CARICOM pact to recount votes cast in the March 2, 2020 elections. The COA held that the agreement, which was ratified by President David Granger, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, and the CARICOM Secretary General was unconstitutional. This ruling enforced the prohibition in Article 227, Sections (1) and (7) of the Guyana Constitution, which mandates that GECOM shall not be subject to the directions or control of any person or authority, and no court shall inquire into the Commission’s validly executed work.

Notwithstanding the ruling, acting COA President, Justice of Appeal Dawn Gregory alluded to an affidavit by GECOM Chairman, retired Justice Claudette Singh, which contends that GECOM has the authority to order a post-declaration countrywide recount under Article 162 (1) (b) of the Constitution, as well as under Section 22 (1) of the Election Law (Amendment) Act no.

15 of 2000. Justice Gregory surmised that GECOM has broad powers under the law, as the Chairman asserted, but that the exercise of that power to conduct a recount is not excluded from judicial review.

Article 162: Section (1) that (B) of the Guyana Constitution mandates that: "The Elections Commission shall issue such instructions and take such action as appear to it to be necessary or expedient to ensure impartiality, fairness and compliance with the provisions of this constitution or of any act of Parliament on the part of persons exercising powers or performing duties connected with or relating to the matters aforesaid."

Section 22 of the Election Law (Amendment)

Act no. 15 of 2000 (1) and (2) states as follows: “(1) If any difficulty arises in difficulties arises in connection with the application of this Act, the Cap. 1:03Cap. 19:08 Representation of the People Act or the National Registration Act or any relevant subsidiary legislation, the Commission shall, by order, make any provision, including the amendment of the said legislation, that appears to the Commission to be necessary or expedient for removing the difficulty; and any such order may modify any of the said legislation in respect of any particular matter or occasion so far as may appear to the Commission to be necessary or expedient for removing the difficulty.”

In my view, Article 162 (1) (b) authorizes GECOM to instruct persons within its constitutional remit, or to take any action necessary to ensure that an elections is administered fairly, impartially and in compliance with, and fidelity to, extant law. It doesn't empower GECOM to make new laws, or amend, nullify, disregard or supersede existing laws in order to abrogate other statutes.

Therefore, I believe that GECOM cannot use Article 162 (1) (b) to invent an extra constitutional procedure, which circumvents an elections petition, in order to appease an aggrieved contestant in an elections who is, in effect, challenging the declared results. GECOM must enforce and abide by the applicable laws that were enacted by Parliament to govern elections. Such laws include the Representation of the People Act, and the Elections Law Amendment Act. M o r e o v e r, S e c t i o n 22 of the Election Law Amendment Act can only be invoked when a difficulty arises in the “application” of the elections law. It certainly doesn’t appear to invest GECOM with powers to make “ex post facto” regulations to arbitrate a challenge to the elections results, after those results

were already declared. This would be repugnant to the Constitution. That new regulation will change the provision of the statute which expressly mandate that the mechanism for challenging elections is an Elections Petition.

A difficulty, as envisaged in the legislation, would be a situation where, for example, some ROs adopted a narrow interpretation of how an ‘X’ should be made on the ballot. Therefore, during counting, five ROs rejected ballots where the ‘X’ touches an inner line of the box, while the other five ROs counted said votes as valid. In this instance, the Commission could pause the counting countrywide, and make an order that specifically amends the legislation to state that only an ‘X’ that extends beyond the outer line of the box shall be deemed invalid. This order would indeed eliminate a difficulty that arose, and will assure fairness, impartiality and equal application of the law.

However, GECOM is not seeking to remove a difficulty; it is attempting to vitiate the already executed declarations by the ten Returning Officers (RO).

To accomplish this, it will have to make an ex post facto order that will alter Sections 83 and 84 of the Representation of the People Act, singularly to settle the PPP’s dispute of the elections results. The new order will abrogate the provisions of the Election Law Amendment Act, which mandate that challenges to elections results shall only be adjudicated by an Election Court, pursuant to an Elections Petition.

The elections process does not only involve the rights of the PPP and its supporters. Other voters and political parties also have rights that must be also protected. The right to vote as well as to have your votes counted and declared in accordance with current law are fundamental rights.

GECOM cannot harm these rights with “post factum”

rules to govern the process after it has been completed.

This is dangerous and undemocratic.

It has been one month since the election results were declared by the 10 Returning Officers in accordance with the law.

The Chief Elections Officer (CEO) has thereupon submitted his report with the aggregated results, as declared by the ten ROs, to the Chairman, in accordance with Section 96 (1) of the Representation of the People Act. According to Section 96 (2) of said Act, the CEO’s report “shall be the basis for the Commission to declare and publish the results”.

But, contrary to the law, there has been a thirty-day standstill. The aggregated results have not been declared and published as required. This is not how the law envisages the electoral process to work. This pause is unlawful. Clearly the PPP is seeking to challenge, and if possible overturn the declared results without filing an Elections Petition. This is unconstitutional. The law only provides for a countrywide recount in the form of a ballot audit, after the declaration and installation of the President.

I believe in the rule of law and free and fair elections. I believe every legally-cast vote must be counted. I also believe that, given the PPP’s challenge to the results, every vote, in every ballot box, in every Region, should be recounted. I, however, reject the notion that GECOM must intentionally break the law to achieve this purpose. The rule of law is paramount to any person, political party or State agency. No one is above the law. GECOM is not above the law. GECOM must therefore follow a lawful process for a recount.

Rickford Burke, President Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 15, 2020

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Recount of votes akin to an elections petition through the backdoor Dear Editor,

I

T SEEMS like open season for ‘open letters’! As such I’ve decided to pen my open letter to the Madam Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission, Retired Justice Claudette Singh.

Madam Chairperson, you may not know me, and I’ve never met you. Nevertheless, I feel obliged to write this open letter to you. Please crave my indulgence as I introduce myself to you. I am no retired army brigadier/former chairman of GECOM, nor am I some former ambassador or knighted professor. I am no wealthy businessman, neither am I some presidential hopeful, minister or former minister. I have never been president or opposition leader of Guyana. No, I am not one from the recognised prestigious social classes. I am no former TV station owner, nor do I own or have friends in the print or electronic media. Madam Chair, I am not deeply connected to the “power-brokers” of the land, and I’ve never set my eyes on US$34M. Justice Singh, I am an ordinary person who understands right from wrong; I subscribe to the Constitution and the Rule of Law, and I understand how dangerous precedents can ruin an entire nation. I am someone who also likes to speak up for people who either cannot do so for themselves, or are too afraid to speak.

I am not a “billboard name”, as such I am not sure whether my letter may attract your attention, or find its way on your reading desk. I am aware that you are a very busy person, however, I do hope that you may still find some time to read my letter. Madam Chair, I’ve decided to write you in the hope that we are better able to put Elections 2020 in context, and better understand the serious implications GECOM’s actions may have on future elections.

Firstly, Madam Chair, I must let you know that I do not endorse, support or encourage any recount of votes of an incomplete elections process. I firmly believe that any decision to recount the votes of the March 2, 2020 elections will be a very dangerous precedent, one which the nation may not easily recover from. I also believe that any decision to recount the voters’ votes without first declaring the total votes cast to the principal stakeholders, the people, may amount to a grave insult and disregard for the voters. According to reports, there were declarations for all ten administrative regions, however, to date there is no final declaration of those results, but the elections remain on pause because the Opposition feels that it was cheated.

The Opposition’s feelings, hunch or suspicion seems to take precedence over the legitimate concern of the majority of voters who stood in lines as early as 4:30 am to cast their votes on March 2, 2020. The concerns of the people matter, and I believe that to embark on a decision to recount the people’s votes in this way is unacceptable. I have participated in more than five national elections cycles in Guyana, and in all of them, there were questions about the results declared for specific regions before final declarations. However, every request for recount for those specific regions were denied by the Returning Officers, and never has there been any attempt

by GECOM to override those denials and order a recount, until now. The 1997 elections were the strangest of elections; those elections were declared for the PPP, while Region Four’s votes (the infamous Region Four) were still being counted and verified. This is not a hunch or fabrication; it is a fact. I am sure you may remember how those elections ended. Despite attempts, in 1997, to legally stop the swearing-in of the president, the PPP could not be stopped. In fact, you would recall the then chairman of GECOM congratulating Mrs. Jagan when she threw the court’s order, intended to halt her swearing in, over her shoulder. I am not suggesting that you should follow suit and disregard the Constitution; I am merely attempting to demonstrate that in one of the most glaringly-rigged elections, GECOM did not put those elections on pause. You would recall that the PNCR had to file an elections petition to deal with those elections. I, therefore, find it strange that even though the declarations were made for all ten regions, and Region Four’s votes were recounted twice, GECOM decided to recount. For some unknown reason, GECOM seems to have surrendered to the bullish tactics of the PPP and their friends, and therefore halted the declaration of the final results of the 2020 Elections.

GROUNDWORK WAS LAID I agree that GECOM did not just arrive at some decision to recount the peoples’ votes. In fact, there is quite an interesting tale as to how I believe the PPP planned to get GECOM at this point; that plan started long before March 2, 2020. Those of us who have been paying attention to the elections campaign would have discerned a certain pattern and posture by the Opposition, PPP. Anyone who was paying attention to the political campaigns, specifically the rallies/meetings, could have predicted that we would have arrived at a place like this.

During the campaigning stage, I observed the PPP’s rigging tactics on full display. I made no secret about my observations, as I regularly penned those observations in the local print media and social media.

So, how did we get here! For starters, shortly after you were appointed Chairperson of GECOM, the PPP and their

known and unknown news outlets and social media operatives began to run an aggressive campaign against GECOM and you. This was an intensified campaign to discredit GECOM, and attack the credibility, integrity and competency of its head. The PPP were playing from their rigging script. There were simultaneous attacks carried out on GECOM, as the PPP mouthpieces seemed to have had a seamless connection to the PPP’s PR strategy. The messages and propaganda against GECOM were identical and well-timed; there was obvious coordination. It appeared that the PPP were making all the preparations necessary to cry foul after the elections were declared for the APNU+AFC. Mr. Jagdeo and others’ regular attacks on GECOM and their outlandish rigging propaganda was all a build-up to what is happening today. The PPP were brazen in their rigging plot; in fact, Mr. Jagdeo took it ten notches higher when, on February 9 he suggested that GECOM would be rigging the elections if it did not declare the elections for the PPP. He went on to threaten that they “will not take it lightly”. The PPP’s elections-rigging scheme started long before March 2.

Their strategy had all the hallmarks of the party engaging in an open plot to rig an election. I wrote a letter in the press regarding Mr. Jagdeo’s comments at this rally. I believe then, as I do now, that his remarks might have crossed the line.

SMOOTH AND ORDERLY Fast-forward to March 2: Guyanese came out early in many parts of the country and cast their votes. Polling Day activities were generally deemed smooth and orderly, except for a few minor hiccups in some places. However, while Region Four’s votes were being tabulated, the PPP, led by some of their leaders, stormed GECOM and created a ruckus! I watched in horror as these leaders led mobs to kick down the outer door to the building before they bulldozed the chairperson’s office and invaded her space. These videos are making their rounds on social media. The PPP effectively disrupted the counting process, then filed an injunction to halt the declaration of Region Four’s results. This led to a slew of court cases.

The PPP continued to bully their way and make outrageous demands upon GECOM. They are bent on ensuring that Mr. Jagdeo’s expectation and demands for GECOM to declare the elections for the PPP must be met; if not, the PPP will claim that the elections are rigged against them. This was the grand plan which was made public during campaign rallies! After the invasion of GECOM, the PPP decided to make its demands, and called for the recount of Region Four’s votes.

The PPP demanded that GECOM must recount Region Four’s votes, and that GECOM must set aside the earlier declaration for that region. Then, having agreed to the recount of the votes of all ten regions, the PPP suddenly got cold feet and decided that it will revert back to its old position of Region Four’s vote recount only. The party then decides that it will push GECOM further, as it continues to move the goalpost.

So it calls for the dismissal of several GECOM staff who they claim are too toxic to be involved in any recount of votes.

The PPP now says that for any recount to be legitimate, the Chief Elections Officer, Mr. Lowenfield, his assistant, Roxanne Meyers, RO Region Four, Mr. Mingo, and his deputy and others must be fired or removed from GECOM. They are also engaged in a massive disinformation campaign against GECOM. The recent “Lowenfield’s 156 days” recount calendar is a very good example of how the PPP will continue to attack GECOM and its officers.

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT I am happy that Commissioner Vincent Alexander was quick to set the record straight and denounce the PPP’s disingenuous pronouncements. Should the recount start, GECOM will have to deal with this kind of PPP mischief on a daily basis. The PPP cannot be serious about any recount, when they now have gone public and announced that those recounts would be illegal. And maybe they would! They cannot be serious when they blast the recount as “a waste of time. And maybe they would be a waste of time!” The PPP cannot be serious about any recount when they continue to move the goalpost and attack GECOM, each time they conclude a meeting with GECOM! The PPP believes that its attacks on GECOM and its chairperson have been effective, so much so that their supporters are creating videos to mimic the chairperson, whom they claim is terrified of sanctions and threats. I watched a video posted on social media by two of their followers, to mock the chairperson of GECOM. In that video, they were laughing about how scared she was when they barged into her office. As I looked at the video, I wondered, and posted as a comment: Why these folks were not called in by the police for questioning into a situation where they were seemingly admitting to have committed acts to intimidate another person. They also boast of how their propaganda of sanctions against you, Madam Chair, would have been effective. I do not believe the PPP is interested in any recount; I believe they are interested in allowing the country to languish in limbo, and to have their friends in the international community help them to foist new elections upon the nation. I therefore see any recount at this

point as an attempt by the PPP to get an elections petition through the back door. I do not support any recount, regardless of whether it’s Regions 1-10, or Region Six only.

Hence, such a recount has the potential to replace elections petitions in the future, as any political party, after now, may want to use this recount situation as a template to retard democracy, and rob the people of their votes. Precedents like these are likely to have deleterious impact on the electoral process in the future. I cannot imagine a GECOM in the future that will not be burdened by the negative implications of this forced recount. I do not see how this approach can be in the interest of Guyana. Further, I believe that GECOM’s decision to do a recount would have failed to take into account the human reality. We fail to take into account the negative impact this “non-declaration” will have on particularly young voters who are feeling cheated by GECOM’s decision to stall the declaration. On Elections Day, I was out in the communities as early as 4:00am, and I was very encouraged by the long lines of young people, particularly in South Georgetown, who were out to vote at 5:00am. How can we explain this undue delay and breach of process to them! How are we going to ensure that they are motivated to engage in a democratic process to elect a government of their choice, when they are experiencing this unthinkable reality! Many of these youngsters, whom I spoke with, are first- time voters. What do we say to them!

For them, GECOM is succumbing to the PPP’s bully tactics, to them, GECOM has rented out its independence; to them, GECOM has failed them.

I DIFFER WITH GECOM Madam chairperson, I had confidence in you when you were appointed to chair this most coveted position; today, I still have that confidence in you. However, I differ in the direction GECOM is going with respect to authorising a recount without a declaration. I strongly believe that this direction will set a very bad precedent that will remain an albatross around the necks of future elections and GECOM. A recount at this juncture will also send the wrong message to bullies, whether those bullies are in schools, in the homes, in the workplaces, in politics, or in the communities. It will say to them that you can bully your way to achieve your objective. This recount will say to politicians, and political parties that they can bully their way to an elections recount, or a restraint on the declaration of elections results. My hope is that you may review the implications of agreeing to a recount under these circumstances.

Bullies, Madam Chairperson, may come in all forms.

They can come from inside or outside the country; they can be people with political and social clout; they can be people with no such clout. Madam Chair, bullies can also be people who might have deemed themselves fit and proper for your job, or persons not deemed fit and proper for the job. Bullies, Madam Chair, come in all fashion. Some bullies, Madam Chair, proudly announce that they have never exercised their franchise to vote, but yet these bullies decide that they can come to advise those of us who vote on matters of voting.

Madam Chair, I regard such bold acts of bullyish attitude as an affront to those of us who vote! I subscribe to that long-held view which says, “You don’t vote; you don’t have a voice!”

There are those bullies who also believe that it serves their interest to ensure that the female chairperson of GECOM does not succeed, so that they can continue to make their argument that a woman cannot be put in charge of such a complicated office. I also wrote about this earlier, having noted that the PPP’s attack was also sexist in nature. I therefore believe that if they succeed in pushing this narrative, it will make it very difficult for any other woman in the future to be considered, much less nominated for this most coveted office of Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission.

In closing, I must state that I have no doubt that the APNU+AFC would have won the March 2, 2020 elections. I am convinced that any recount of the ten regions would reveal more seats for the ‘Coalition’ than the current declaration would allow. However, because I am against setting dangerous precedents, I do not agree to any recount whatsoever. I, therefore, believe that the ‘Coalition’ would have to file an elections petition in order to get those additional seats.

In the same way I believe GECOM must declare current results, and allow for the PPP to file an elections petition, if it feels aggrieved by the process. Unless this is done, I see any recounting process being shackled by an unending court battle! The recount process is akin to facilitating an elections petition through the backdoor.

Madam Chair, you have tried to facilitate the PPP and their outlandish claims; it is more than one month, and the PPP continues to move the goal ost every time; I do not believe that GECOM can continue in this fashion. I believe it is time to have that final declaration, and let the chips fall where they may. No one can fault you for trying!

GECOM cannot continue to facilitate the PPP’s delaying tactics, while the country is held in abeyance! The ordinary voters matter too! Democracy is not a subjective concept!

Sincerely, Lurlene Nestor

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Local doctor critical in NY with COVID-19 … contracted disease while visiting relatives

By Navanedra Seoraj WELL-KNOWN Guyanese Medical Practitioner, Dr. Ramesh Sugrim, is now critical after contracting the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease in New York, the state which has been labelled as the epicentre of the disease in the United States of America (USA).

The 66-year-old doctor contracted the disease after travelling to the US to see his family during March.

“He was admitted to the hospital in New York, on March 27, 2020 after picking up the virus,” said Dr. Sugrim’s brother, Suresh Sugrim, in an invited comment on Monday.

Suresh, who resides in Florida, told this publication that Dr. Sugrim’s wife, Parbattie Sugrim, and son, Dr. Surendra Sugrim, had also contracted the disease, but they have since been recovering after being hospitalised.

While doctor Sugrim’s wife remains hospitalised and in a stable condition, his son, who is a medical practitioner in the US, has already been discharged and is recovering at his house in New York.

“My brother is, however, very critical and we are hoping that with prayers, he will pull through,” said Suresh.

Dr. Sugrim has spent most of his life serving Guyana as a medical practitioner, a profession which he took on over 30 years ago. Suresh said his brother has treated persons not just from Guyana, but others who have travelled to Guyana from many developed nations, just to be treated by Dr. Sugrim.

Although most of his family had migrated to the US, Dr. Sugrim chose to stay in Guyana, specifically in Corentyne, Berbice, where he had established his medical clinic. He, however, travels frequently to see his family, said Suresh.

Considering the condition of his brother and that of thousands of people from across the world, Suresh said COVID-19 is well alive and it is something to take very seriously.

The resident of Florida, who is President of the Humanitarian Mission in Guyana, urged Guyanese to take more precautions and adhere to the rules and regulations which are established by the local health authorities.

“I have been seeing pictures of people who are not listening to authorities and officials. They have not been practicing social distancing and the other measures,” he said, noting that the disease has devastated parts of the world’s economic superpower, America, and if allowed to spread throughout Guyana, it can be very catastrophic.

In this regard, he called on all Guyanese to take the disease seriously because it affects all persons, regardless of their status, race, political affiliation and social standing.

In stressing the seriousness of the disease, Suresh said: “Many doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers have fallen because of this pandemic...I have friends who are medical doctors and nurses, who have died.”

“Government can only do so much to help us, we as individuals need to do the rest… so I call on you to stay home and practice social distancing because there is only so much the police and government can do.”

It was reported recently that the dreaded COVID-19 disease had claimed the lives of 34 Guyanese in New York.

This was according to information from the Guyana Consulate in New York, which was highlighted by Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo on Saturday during a virtual press briefing. The prime minister said the list at reference is a partial one, as it does not reflect a global figure, seeing that Guyanese live and work all across the world. He, however, said that partial or not, the government will continue to rely on its foreign missions to provide information on the status of Guyanese abroad.

According to reports out of ‘The Big Apple’, the Guyana Consulate-General in New York has created a means for Guyanese to publicly pay tribute to loved ones lost to the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. Those tributes are reportedly being shared on a Facebook page named, ‘Honoring Guyanese Lost to Coronavirus’, and has already received an outpouring of tributes, support and condolences to the families and friends of those being featured on it.

Considering the increasing loss of lives across the globe because of the COVID-19 disease, some

12,000 Guyanese residing in New York have requested to return home to Guyana. Similar requests have been made by some 80 other Guyanese living in Miami, and close to 200 who work on international cruise ships.

“We have received requests from Guyanese who want to come back, but we are on lockdown, and no flights would come in until the existing orders expire, or if it is amended…,” the PM said, adding: “We first have to look at how incidences are mounting; already we have 40 cases (now 45) and six deaths, so we need to look at this and review some of our measures. But I cannot say any consideration regarding the requests is active.”

Noting that one needs to take into account that Guyana’s first COVID-19 case was an imported one, as have other cases proven to be, Minister Nagamootoo said that while the government empathises with those Guyanese who want to come home, he would suggest that they “sit it out” a while longer.

Government, he said, first needs to give itself space to deal with cases here; do

Guyanese Medical Practitioner, Dr. Ramesh Sugrim proper contact tracing; reduce imported cases; and complete arrangements to have facilities to quarantine persons who come back.

“They (those wanting to return) would have to subject themselves to quarantine, so we will need facilities for the thousands of Guyanese who wish to come home,” the PM said, adding: “We would want them to come back home, but they need to understand the challenges we face at home… If they come home right now, it will overwhelm medical and physical capacity to accommodate them and give them the treatment they deserve.”

Linden records second COVID-19 case … 29-year-old woman of Wismar latest patient THE Linden Hospital Complex has confirmed its second patient who tested positive for COVID 19. The patient, a 29-year-old woman, is currently warded at Diamond Diagnostic Centre. The woman hails from the same Wismar community where the first case of the virus resides.

She was swabbed at home and, while awaiting results, was advised by medical personnel to do home isolation. After the test returned positive, she was handed over to the Regional Health Emergency Committee task force and transported to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, in a LHC ambulance.

Medical Superintendent of the Linden Hospital Complex, Dr. Joseph London, disclosed that the woman had displayed mild symptoms as she had complained of sore throat, fever and cough. He disclosed that the woman was treated and sent home. The hospital, recognising that she hails from the area that the first case was identified, conducted a test on her on April 8.“After the hospital took the samples off her we advised her that she should go on home-isolation as we await the results of the tests. The results returned showing that she was positive and as such, the results were handed over to the Region and Task Force,” the Linden Hospital MS was quoted as saying in a Regional Demo-

cratic Council release.

London noted that the region continues to have an aggressive approach to the disease, stressing that all required protocols and actions are being taken as they seek to protect and safeguard residents within the region.

“We are monitoring, we are evaluating, and we are keeping a close eye out as we recognise that we need to remain proactive so as to ensure that all remain safe within Region Ten,” the MS said.

He added that the RHO and his Wismar colleague are continuing to meet frequently, as they strategise and put the required systems in place, while urging the public to remain vigilant. “We are appealing to all to remain at home as it is the safest way to protect one’s self, while we would like all to know that, from a health position, we are continuing to work to ensure that we safeguard the region as best as we can,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Public Relations Officer of the Linden Hospital Complex, Toshanna Allicock, related that LHC continues to implement strict measures in terms of keeping the hospital sanitised so patients can feel safe visiting. “We have implemented frequent sanitisation methods for all areas, especially the high-risk zones. We have ongoing

Regional Executive Officer, Orrin Gordon, in deep conversation with Dr Tracey Bovell, Emergency Medicine Specialist at GPHC, while Medical Superintendent at Linden Hospital Complex, Dr Joseph London, pays rap attention as they tour the isolation facility at Wismar hospital. training sessions for staff on how to properly posts as well as at the Kwakwani Water Front. sanitise, the correct way to wear PPE, disposal The Upper Demerara Hospital was identified methods etc” she said. as an isolation facility and strides were made Communication also remains a key factor in equipping the medical institutions with in tackling this infectious disease and has the necessary supplies and protective gear to proven to be quite effective at an institutional tackle COVID-19. level. “The most effective tool we have is Linden’s first case of Coronavirus was communication and we’re keeping all chan- recorded last Monday, after a 49-year-old nels open both ways to address staff concerns man who turned up at the LHC with severe and to properly equip them with information,” respiratory complaints, was transferred she said. to the Georgetown Public Hospital for a At a regional level, the RHEC continues to higher level of care. It was later discovered take on an aggressive approach in keeping im- that the man recently had overseas guests. ported cases very low. Screening commenced To date Guyana has recorded 48 cases of at the Amelia’s Ward and 58 Mile Police Out- Coronavirus.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Prepare to shelter indefinitely –– US Embassy tells American residents not on April 14th Flight

AMERICANS and U.S. residents who did not take the Eastern Airlines flight out of Guyana to Miami on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, must be prepared to “shelter in place indefinitely”, the US Embassy in Georgetown said on Tuesday.

Based on the tone of the alert and the non-indication of the availability of additional flights on Eastern Airline’s website, it is unclear whether or when there will be another flight to the US for those

stranded in Guyana.

“The U.S. Embassy had requested permission for Eastern Airlines to operate a special commercial relief flight today. Eastern Airlines is taking final reservations on the airline website for direct booking departing today, Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at 16:30 hrs from Georgetown to Miami,” the alert stated, adding: “U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents of the United States are strongly encouraged to take this flight or prepare to shelter in place indefinitely.”

On Eastern Airlines’ web-

site as of April 14, the cost for the four-hour, one-way flight stood as high as US$ 1,012.20 for economy passengers and US$ 1,262.90 for premium passengers. The prices were the same for both adults and children while the dates ahead as far as one could scroll were blank.

Guyana’s ban on international travel has been extended to May 1, 2020 to prevent imported cases of COVID-19. The ban first took effect on March 18, 2020 for 14 days and was extended for an additional 30 days based on the recommendation of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

With the ban, exception has been given to outgoing flights; cargo flights; medevac flights; technical stops by airplanes for fuel and special authorised flights.

During the last few weeks, these exceptions have been utilised and were approved by the task force, based on requests submitted.

The U.S. Embassy in Guyana had previously received approval for a commercial relief flight, operated

by Eastern Airlines, which departed Georgetown to Miami, on Wednesday April 1, 2020, via Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

The flight was fully booked.

Eastern Airlines requested and received permission from the GCAA to operate a commercial flight on March 19, and it was fully booked, within hours.

It also received approval

from the GCAA for another Eastern Airlines flight from Georgetown to Miami for March 28, 2020. This flight was fully booked as well and departed on schedule.

“We are aware of the hardship land and airspace border closures have created for U.S. citizens who need to return to the United States.

We have been exploring all options to address the current travel disruptions since Guyana closed its airspace to commercial flights on March 18. To date, we have

requested special permission from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority to operate service for four commercial relief flights to transport Americans and their families home,” the Embassy stated.

It had added: “We are requesting government’s permission for another special commercial relief

flight, operated by Eastern Airlines, to offer service between Georgetown and Miami on Tuesday April 14, 2020…we will not be able to offer this service indefinitely and cannot promise additional flights will be either available or approved throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The prices for the four-hour, one-way flight The US Embassy requested approval from the GCCA for Eastern Airlines to operate a commercial humanitarian flight on March 26, and the Embassy reports that it was fully booked within hours.

In a previous alert on April 8, the US Embassy had stated that, while several flights had been successful thus far, the Embassy would not be able to facilitate such transport indefinitely.

Three nabbed, one confesses to Republic Park robbery THE getaway driver, who was part of the team that carried out an armed robbery on 40-year-old, Ryan Rajmangal, and his family at Republic Park, East Bank Demerara, has confessed to the police.

The driver and two others were nabbed by police on April 11, 2020.

According to police sources, one of the men suspected to be involved is believed to be the mastermind and is a career criminal.

He was released from prison three weeks ago after serving a sentence for similar crimes.

On April 9, 2020, Rajmangal was leaving his Republic Park, East Bank Demerara home for work, when the four armed men entered Three of the suspects inside of the home his yard and held him at gunpoint.

The bandits then bound the victim’s hands businessman’s home. and held his children at gunpoint. They then Ranks attached to the Brickdam Police ransacked his house and took away almost Station, acting on information, swooped $2M worth in articles. down at a location in Georgetown and nabbed The getaway driver sped away in the mo- three of the four suspects. Some of the stolen tor car leaving his accomplice to hitch a ride articles were subsequently recovered. in a taxi to make good of this escape.

Detectives were able to get a confession The businessman reported the matter to statement from the getaway driver, who is the police and an investigation was launched. also helping with the investigation.

Detectives were able to review surveilAn investigation and the hunt for the lance footage from cameras inside of the last suspect is ongoing.

NOTICE - Early Closure

Persons visiting the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Headquarters to conduct services relating to Licence Revenue Operations, Taxpayer Services, Central Registration and Cashier are asked to take note of the new working hours: Mondays - Thursdays: Fridays:

08:00hrs to 15:00hrs 08:00hrs to 14:00hrs

The early closure also extends to the Integrated Regional Tax Offices (IRTOs). The general public is advised that the work of GRA’s Customs operations at wharves and ports of entry will not be affected by this early closure.

The new working hours take effect from April 15, 2020 until May 3, 2020.

Taxpayers are encouraged to utilise alternative payment options and online facilities through our website: www.gra.gov.gy.

This new measure takes into account the reduction in traffic at the GRA. It also facilitates staff honouring the curfew that was set in place by the Public Health Ordinance.

227-6060 227-8222 Ext. 1201-6

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Canton Fair gears up to go online APRIL 14 (China Daily) -- Chinese companies have been gearing up to fulfill their overseas orders via the internet as the country’s largest trade event is scheduled to be conducted online due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Plans have already been made to increase overseas customers’ knowledge of our products through online measures,” said Pan Zisheng, vice-director of Galanz Group’s Asia-Pacific business department.

A leading white-goods brand based in Foshan, Guangdong province, Galanz will design a web page-with 3D features-to display its latest products and services for overseas buyers during the online fair, Pan said.

Due to the spread of the coronavirus pandemic around the world, China will host the 127th China Import and Export Fair, or Canton Fair, online from mid to late June, according to a recent executive meeting of the State Council.

The fair, widely known as a barometer of China’s foreign trade and held twice a year in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong, was previously scheduled between Wednes-

day and May 5.

China’s imports and exports were down 9.6 percent year-on-year to 4.12 trillion yuan ($590 billion) in the first two months of this year, mainly due to the impact of the global pandemic, according to the General Administration of Customs.

“Imports and exports in March were doing better than the previous two months,” said GAC spokesman Gao Feng during a regular news conference on Thursday.

Orders of some export-oriented companies have been canceled or delayed, with new orders being largely affected, Gao said.

“In the short term, overseas orders among textile and clothing companies have been particularly affected,” Gao added.

However, some Chinese companies, particularly those with business related to protection and control of the pandemic, have seen an increase of overseas orders recently.

After finishing more than 400 seam-sealing machines for the Chinese market in the last two months, Guangzhou Gao Ke Garment-making Equipment Co Ltd had begun a new round of production of such machines, most designed

Employees work at a Galanz production facility province, on Feb 10. [Photo/Xinhua] for overseas buyers. which are vital in producing “Overseas orders in- protective suits as they help creased a lot in the last month, prevent viruses from infecting particularly those from India,” people by attaching seal strips said Wu Fujin, general man- to medical-use gowns. ager of Gao Ke. “We are exporting our As the COVID-19 pan- machines to help produce demic now affects most coun- more medical protective suits tries and regions around the in India,” Wu said. world, demand for supplies Wu said the Canton Fair of medical materials has in- to be held online will help creased dramatically, Wu companies focus on consumer said. goods to better serve overseas Wu’s company has re- buyers. ceived Indian orders for “Chinese companies will 350 seam-sealing machines, have better access to the glob-

in Shunde, Guangdong al market by showcasing their products online, given that the COVID-19 pandemic has already cast a shadow over global trade,” Wu added.

With the help of advanced information technology, companies from all over the world will be able to display their products and conduct negotiations online, as well as place orders and do business from home, according to Li Xingqian, director of the Ministry Commerce’s foreign trade department.

“Organizing the event online is not only a practical measure to deal with the pandemic, but also an innovative development to the traditional fair, as the internet already plays a big role in people’s lives and business activities,” said Li, during a State Council news conference on Friday.

Li said that 25,000 companies from home and abroad will promote their products online and live video marketing and cross-border e-commerce services will be available to all companies and overseas buyers.

“It is not simply a matter of copying the traditional fair on the internet, but a whole new online exhibition structure and re-engineered process,” Li added.

“Foreign trade companies urgently need to develop new competitiveness by strengthening efforts in technological innovations,” said Zheng Jianrong, director of Guangdong’s Commerce Department.

Guangdong will upgrade its cross-border e-commerce services for export-oriented companies to help weather fallout at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting most countries and regions, Zheng said.

China shares with world new progress in COVID-19 treatment BEIJING, April 14 (Xinhua) -- China has reported new progress in the research of COVID-19 drugs and therapies, sharing with the world its clinical experience and achievements and pushing forward international cooperation in the study of the disease.

One of the highlights of the new progress is stem cell treatment, which has been used in more than 200 cases

in Wuhan, the hardest-hit city amid the epidemic in China, Sun Yanrong, deputy head of the China National Center for Biotechnology Development under the Ministry of Science and Technology, said at a press conference on Tuesday.

Clinical trials show that the therapy is safe, and can increase the cure rate of severe patients by inhibiting lung inflammation and improve the respiratory

function of patients in the rehabilitation period, according to Sun. China has also made progress in convalescent plasma therapy. So far, more than 700 patients have received such treatment with good effects. The median length of stay in ICU of the patients receiving convalescent plasma therapy was significantly shorter than that in the control group, Sun said.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, China has launched 27 projects in the research of drugs, therapies and related technologies. More than 3,200 researchers from 152 hospitals, universities and institutions across China, including those on the front line of the fight against COVID-19 in Wuhan, have participated in the research.

China holds online trade fair to boost cooperation with Latin America BEIJING, April 14 (Xinhua) -- China launched a 15-day online trade fair Tuesday to promote cooperation between Chinese and Latin American businesses.

The China-Latin America (Mexico) international trade digital exhibition, sponsored by the China Council for

the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), has attracted about 2,000 domestic enterprises and about 5,000 overseas buyers.

The exhibition closely follows the market demand in Latin America, especially Mexico, and provides enterprises with online negotiation opportunities and

accurate matching services through big data, said Gao Yan, head of the CCPIT. The exhibition integrates online digital consultation, negotiation, display and matching. It involves products like medical equipment, building materials and hardware, office supplies, furniture and household, electronic consumer

goods, textile and clothing, household appliances, food and epidemic prevention materials.

After this fair, five to eight more online trade exhibitions will be held to build new platforms and provide more cooperation opportunities for foreign trade enterprises, the CCPIT said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 15, 2020

PAHO warns against flexible social distancing measures WASHINGTON, DC, April 14 2020 (PAHO)—The Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Carissa F. Etienne, said that social distancing measures are giving our societies a chance to prepare and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that any attempt to transition to more flexible measures should be taken with extreme caution.

“Social distancing needs to be accompanied by comprehensive social support measures to ensure the most vulnerable can comply without severe risk to their livelihoods,” Dr. Etienne said on Tuesday during a weekly media briefing. Dr. Etienne also warned that “COVID-19 has yet to hit with full force in our region, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, and we expect it to intensify in the next few weeks. Indeed, the rise in hospitalisations and deaths we see in some countries highlights how quickly the situation could change in others.”

As of April 13, there have been 644,986 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Americas, and 25,551 deaths.

PAHO’s Director noted that community transmission is being reported by a growing number of countries in North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

The best bet for reducing transmission Social distancing measures “remain our best bet to reduce transmission and slow the spread of the virus in our communities,” said Dr. Etienne. PAHO on Tuesday issued recommendations on this issue to slow the spread of COVID-19. Many countries in the region have implemented community-wide social distancing measures that are allowing health services to operate within their capacity – this is encouraging but must be sustained over a period of time to be effective, she noted.

“Following a period of social distancing, any attempt to transition to more flexible measures should be taken with extreme caution. Such decisions should always be informed by disease transmission patterns, COVID-19 testing and contact tracing capacity, the availability of hospitals bed, and other objective criteria,” she warned.

Dr. Etienne said that social-support measures to ensure the most vulnerable can comply without severe risk to their livelihoods will require “an adequate national and local logistical capacity to ensure the delivery of medicines, tests, food and other supplies for our populations.”

Urgent need to accelerate testing and expand intensive care capacity “We know the picture is not complete: there is an urgent need for countries to accelerate and expand testing for a more accurate understanding of the pandemic in the Americas,” Dr. Etienne said. “We must act with urgency before the storm hits most countries, to protect ourselves, our families and our communities.”

One of the most important short-term needs is to expand the capacity of intensive care units in the region.

PAHO is sharing expertise on delivery and management of intensive care with countries, using lessons learned from China, Spain, and others, Dr. Etienne said. “In the long term, we need to plan now to guarantee that the drugs and vaccines that are being developed are accessible to all in our region, especially in the most vulnerable communities,” she noted. “Implementing the measures required to stop COVID-19 can be disruptive but failing to do so will risk prolonging this crisis.

Interrupting recommended social distancing too early could have the opposite effect – and lead to a second wave of COVID-19 cases, extending suffering and socioeconomic uncertainty over the long term in the Region of the Americas,” she said.

“Only by implementing the interventions required for each setting – guided by science and solidarity – can we slow down, and ultimately break, the spread of COVID-19 in our region.

And then together, within and across our countries, we can safely get back on our feet,” PAHO’s director concluded.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Guyana to get $31.5M to battle COVID-19 –– as part of a Republic Bank US$2M regional package to tackle the virus REPUBLIC Financial Holdings Limited has pledged to make a US$2M contribution to the 14 territories in which it operates which will see Guyana receiving a total of G$31.5M to aid its fight against COVID-19.

In a recent statement, the Group listed its operating territories as Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Guyana, Barbados, Ghana, Suriname, Cayman Islands, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Maarten, Anguilla and Dominica.

The pledge comes under the bank’s ‘Power to Make a Difference’ programme and is being specifically targeted to address some of the key immediate requirements in the fight against COVID-19.

“The full extent of the human tragedy that is unfolding before our eyes is

epochal. While the group is committed to helping our customers survive the economic impact, there is so much more that is needed to be done at the society level. No country is immune from this virus and given our preference for open economies, we all must be interested in what happens elsewhere.

Management of this virus requires global collective responsibility,” President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Group, Nigel Baptiste, stated.

The funding is targeted to assist with the purchase and provision of critical needs such as ventilators, personal protective equipment, testing kits, food and supplies for the healthcare workers. It will also lend support to the dissemination of social distancing messages.

Speaking to the amount

earmarked for Guyana, Managing Director of Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited, Amral Khan, said: “This pandemic comes at a very challenging time for the people of Guyana and its economy. Given that much needs to be done, we are optimistic that our contribution will have a positive impact, thereby minimising the number of cases in Guyana and inspiring others in the corporate community to make similar generous contributions to support this fight for life”.

The Republic Group

reports that it has already taken numerous steps to safeguard the wellbeing of its customers and staff, while ensuring the provision of essential banking services.

It noted that it has also reached out to its customers to provide cash flow relief to those affected by the disruption brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The release stated: “The Group recognises the dynamic nature of the situation and remains committed to a continuous assessment of its actions and responses to ensure that the best interests of its staff, customers and communities are served.”

Managing Director of Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited, Amral Khan

Bandits rob gamblers at ‘cock fight’ GUNMEN, on Easter Monday, descended on persons at a ‘cock fight’ in Water Street, Agricola, East Bank Demerara, and robbed them of cash and other valuables.

The Guyana Chronicle was made to understand that around 16:00hrs on the day in question, competitors and patrons at the event were busy cheering for their favourite cock when gunmen showed up.

The bandits, numbered two or three, rode up on motorcycles, armed with guns and confronted the gamblers.

The gunmen reportedly arrived after bets were paid out and held several persons at gunpoint. Other persons

escaped by running through residents’ yard and jumping fences to escape the bandits.

After committing the act, the gunmen jumped onto their motorcycles and made good of their escape.

One resident said, “I was coming home and I see these boys with guns, but me ain’t tek it serious, cause I think is police them. Next thing I hear is that they stick up the cock fight.”

Another resident related, “Them gunmen had them people at the cock fight like scatter fowl. I see a lil boy run out the yard breathless. He tell me aunty they just rob we.”

Police investigation is still ongoing.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 15, 2020

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‘I tested negative for COVID-19 but I am still cautious’ … Mabaruma woman shares her recent experience

… family stigmatised by the community

By Alva Solomon LAST Monday, residents of the town of Mabaruma in the North West District grew worried, after news spread in the communities that a female from the area was tested at the hospital, in the area, for the dreaded COVID-19.

Two days later, the results of samples taken from the woman confirmed that she was positive for the dreaded coronavirus. Not only did the news shock the communities, but led to the reality in many Mabaruma homes, that the virus, which originated in Wuhan, China late in December 2019, had its first confirmed case in Guyana’s Hinterland region.

During this time, 31-year old Janel Wong, a mother of three was overcome with worry, anxiety and pain as she was experiencing symptoms, similar to what she had read, about the experience of persons who contracted the virus.

The woman who was tested positive for the virus, lives in her household. Wong said that, on Tuesday last, the day after her relative was placed in quarantine, she began to experience bouts of fever and although she had a cold, some of the symptoms seemed frighteningly similar to those which her relative experienced.

She said that during this time, the family members were placed in quarantine in parts of their home.” I had a cough from a cold which I had before but now I had a fever and my throat was burning a lot,” she said.

Tumeric, ginger and lemon grass tea Wong said she was using her regular doses of tea made from turmeric, ginger and lemon-grass during this time. She would also boil water and pour a few drops of pepper-mint oil into the liquid. “I would inhale the vapour from it,” she said. “I had no taste in my mouth, I ate a tiger-teeth pepper and was not tasting any of it,” she recalled.

As last week tapered on, Wong said that she was still feeling uneasy about her condition and as such she informed the medical personnel at Mabaruma about her condition.

On Friday, a team of medical officials visited the town from the city and members of the team conducted a COVID-19 test on Wong.

After an anxious wait, on Sunday, the doctor informed her that the test on samples taken from her proved negative.

“But since the test, I was still feeling sick,” she said, adding that she continued using her home remedies and fruits to boost her immune system.

“Even though I am negative for the coronavirus, I am still taking precautions,” she said including regularly washing her hands and she noted she will continue to wear her mask. She said that her condition has improved and she feels much better.

She said the Regional Health Officer at Mabaruma has been very helpful to the family, noting that he has been proactive in trying to spread awareness to residents of the town and outlying communities about the seriousness of the coronavirus.

STIGMATISATION Wong said after persons found out that she and her relative were tested for the coronavirus, she noticed that taxi-drivers at Mabaruma were not willing to carry out any favour for the family, including dropping fruits to their home.

She said that, on Sunday, she went down to the pharmacy, a few doors from where she lives, and several boys who were on the roadway, began throwing remarks at her about the coronavirus. She said one of the boys cautioned the others about stigmatizing the family.

She said that the situation has also impacted other members of her family.

A popular shop-keeper at Kumaka fired two of his workers because they are related to persons who work with the woman who tested positive for COVID-19. In addition, the owner of a Chinese supermarket at Kumaka fired a woman who is related to another woman who works with the woman.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), most people infected with the

An aerial view of the business community of Kumaka in the town of Mabaruma.

COVID-19 virus will experience mild to mod“Protect yourself and others from inerate respiratory illness and recover without fection by washing your hands or using an requiring special treatment. Older persons and alcohol-based rub frequently and not touching those with underlying medical problems such your face. as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely through droplets of saliva or discharge to develop serious illness. from the nose when an infected person WHO believes that the best way to pre- coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that vent and slow down transmission of the pan- you also practise respiratory etiquette (for demic is to be well-informed about the virus, example, by coughing into a flexed elbow),” the disease it causes and how it spreads.

WHO advised.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 15, 2020

‘The Great Lock Down’ –– IMF confirms worst global financial crisis in over 8 decades

THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) has updated its 2020 World Economic Outlook with projections showing that global growth will fall to minus 3 per cent while the loss to global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), over 2020 and 2021, could stand at 9 trillion dollars ---- greater than the economies of Japan and Germany combined.

In a live presentation to the world on Tuesday, IMF Chief Economist Gita Gopinath, was frank when she confirmed that “the Great Lockdown” is the worst recession since the Great Depression, and far worse than the Global Financial Crisis. Gopinath referred to the pandemic as a “rare disaster” and described the magnitude and speed in collapse of activity that has followed as being “unlike

–– developing economies face multiple crises anything experienced in our lifetimes”.

“For the first time since the Great Depression, both advanced economies and emerging market and developing economies are in recession,” she said.

growth projections permitting the pandemic recedes in the second half of this year.

MUCH UNCERTAINTY The -3 per cent fall in global growth projected is a downgrade of 6.3 percentage points from January 2020, a major revision since the IMF made its last outlook report.

For this year, growth in advanced economies is projected at -6.1 per cent; emerging market and developing economies with normal growth levels well above advanced economies are also projected to have negative growth rates of -1.0 per cent or -2.2 per cent if China is excluded. Altogether, income per capita is projected to shrink for over 170 countries.

These predictions are based on the assumption that the pandemic and required containment peak in the second quarter of the year for most countries, and recedes in the second half of this year. The IMF Chief Economist said that, given the extreme uncertainty around the duration and intensity of the health crisis, the Fund could also explore more adverse scenarios. “The pandemic may not recede in the second half of this year, leading to longer durations of containment, worsening financial conditions, and further breakdowns of global supply chains. In such cases, global GDP would fall even further: an additional 3 per cent in 2020 if the pandemic is more protracted this year, while, if the pandemic continues into 2021, it may fall next year by an additional 8 percent compared to our baseline scenario,” Gopinath stated.

However, if the first scenario occurs, whereby the pandemic recedes in the second half of this year, the global growth in 2021 can rebound to 5.8 per cent --- permitting that policy actions taken around the world are effective in preventing widespread firm bankruptcies, extended job losses and system-wide financial strains.

IMF Chief Economist, Gita Gopinath (Bangkok Post photo) Both advanced economies and emerging market and developing economies would be expected to partially recover in 2021.

Even so, Gopinath said that such a recovery in 2021 is only partial and remains below the level of economic activity the IMF had projected for 2021 before the virus hit.

A CRISIS UNLIKE ANY OTHER “This is a crisis like no other, and there is substantial uncertainty about its impact on people’s lives and livelihoods.

A lot depends on the epidemiology of the virus, the effectiveness of containment measures, and the development of therapeutics and vaccines, variables which are hard to predict,” she said.

Gopinath said that many countries are now facing multiple crises and it is especially disrupting for countries which rely on tourism, travel, hospitality and entertainment and emerging markets and developing economies.

The Caribbean falls squarely within these two categories.

Specific to emerging market and developing economies, like Guyana, she said that these now face additional challenges with unprecedented reversals in capital flows as global risk appetite fades.

These countries are also challenged with weaker health systems and more limited fiscal space to provide support. She said: “This is a truly global crisis as no country is spared.”

GLOBAL EFFORTS NEEDED The IMF Chief Economist commended policymakers and financial See page 17

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 15, 2020

‘Destination Health’ will be the new norm –– GTA Head says Guyana stands to benefit

By Lisa Hamilton WHEN it is safe for Guyana to reopen it ports to international travel, how well the country performed at keeping its cases low; how well it has boosted its sanitiSation standards and to what extent it can offer tourists a less crowded getaway, will influence the level of influx to the country.

Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Director Brian

Mullis told this newspaper on Monday that he believes that Guyana already meets the latter criterion to be amongst the countries to benefit from a resumption of tourist-related travel when the time comes.

Mullis first explained that most destinations around the world are predicting that even after the global coast is clear, many persons will remain hesitant to travel internationally for at least three

Kayaking in Guyana (Medium photo)

months, depending on the length of the crisis. He said that countries around the world have begun to prepare for increased domestic travel for when individual countries are free of the virus and Guyana can expect the same for persons who customarily travel, but their options have been limited internally. However, gradually, as international travel for tourism purposes increase, Mullis said that one expects that there will still be a very noticeable presence of health-related screening for the virus.

“If we’re looking into the future, in terms of what the new norm of travel and tourism will be, I think there will be much more significant testing prior to people taking international flights.

That, combined with medical screening of arriving passengers and departing passengers, is going to be how things are operated moving forward,” he anticipates. This means, however, that how efficient Guyana’s health and port authorities are able to conduct screenings and assure visitors of sanitary conditions will determine how eager persons are to travel to this country.

‘The Great Lock ...

From page 16

institutions for putting in place relief measures which have helped to extend the lifeline of persons and businesses around the world.

Gopinath also encouraged existing lockdowns, social distancing measures and urged health officials to ensure that any vaccine developed makes it way to all countries and persons equally.

She stated: “Flattening the spread of COVID-19 using lockdowns allows health systems to cope with the disease, which then permits a resumption of economic activity.

In this sense, there is no trade-off between

saving lives and saving livelihoods. Countries should continue to spend generously on their health systems, perform widespread testing, and refrain from trade restrictions on medical supplies. A global effort must ensure that when therapies and vaccines are developed both rich and poor nations alike have immediate access.”

The Economist said that, in the midst of the global crisis, multilateral cooperation is vital to global recovery and, as the IMF continues to deploy its available financial support, there remains some hope that the crisis will end.

Projections show that global growth will fall to minus 3 per cent

He said: “‘Destination Health’ is going to become part of the new norm, so when more people are thinking about travelling internationally, they are going to be looking at those destinations that had the least amount of cases of the virus and those that are implementing more rigorous health, hygiene, safety and sanitisation standards.”

Added to this, having experienced the deadly effects of the virus, the director expects that tourists will not be too keen to vacation in countries that are densely populated or countries which were hard-hit by the pandemic.

World Atlas lists some of the world’s most visited See page 18

Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Director, Brian Mullis

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 15, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 15, 2020

IPL 2020 likely to be postponed indefinitely (ESPNCricinfo) - IPL 2020 is likely to be postponed indefinitely owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is understood that the BCCI has not set a new window yet for the tournament which was to be held between March 29 and May 24.

The decision to postpone the IPL was discussed by the BCCI’s top brass, including Sourav Ganguly (president), Jay Shah (secretary), Brijesh Patel (IPL chairman) over a conference call yesterday evening. Also taking part in the call were Arun Dhumal (BCCI treasurer) and Hemang Amin (IPL chief operating officer).

ESPNcricinfo understands the BCCI will formally announce their decision after convening a meeting of the IPL Governing Council this week.

This is the second time the BCCI has been forced to defer the IPL. Last month, after the Indian government had put the country in a threeweek lockdown, the board pushed the start date of the tournament back to April 15.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an extension of India’s lockdown until May 3, even as all domestic and international travel in and out of India continued to remain blocked.

This made it apparent that the IPL had to be put off indefinitely.

Although it was preparing for this scenario for some time, the BCCI had also been optimistic about conducting a month-long IPL with the final scheduled on the first week of June. Also as part of its contingency planning, the BCCI was looking into staging all the matches behind

closed doors in the same city or state.

All those plans had to be pushed to the backburner after a spike in coronavirus infections around the country.

As of yesterday, over 11 000 people had tested positive for the disease in India with deaths inching closer to the 400-mark.

With several restrictions put in place by the government in terms of social distancing and travel bans, and overseas players unable to participate with their own countries under lockdown, the BCCI was left with little choice but to put off the IPL. This leaves the tournament’s stakeholders, including the players, facing a big setback. At the auction last December, a total 62 players were bought by the eight franchises who spent INR 140.30 crores. Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins became the most expensive overseas buy in IPL’s history after Kolkata Knight Riders bought him for INR 15.5 crores.

Neither Cummins, nor any of the other IPL players will receive any money until the tournament actually takes place. As per the norm, franchises make payment in two instalments: the first a week before the tournament starts and the rest after the season is over.

The franchises, too, will feel the pinch as they rely heavily on the IPL’s commercial revenue, which also includes broadcast rights which were bought

by Star India for a record sum for a five-year period in 2017. Every franchise, since then, was assured a minimum share worth INR 150 crores.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday, April 15, 2020)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Kensington Oval, Barbados, 1958 (2) QPO, Port-of-Spain, 1958

TODAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Who is the first Pakistani player to score a Test hundred against the WI? (2) Who is the first WI opener to hit a Test century against Pakistan?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Larson dropped from contract over racial slurs

(REUTERS) - Kyle Larson was dropped by his team Chip Ganassi Racing yesterday, after the NASCAR driver used a racial slur during a livestream broadcast of an iRacing esports event.

“After much consideration, Chip Ganassi Racing has determined that it will end its relationship with driver Kyle Larson,” the team said in a statement.

“As we said before, the comments that Kyle made were both offensive and unacceptable especially

given the values of our organisation.

“As we continued to

evaluate the situation with all the relevant parties, it became obvious that this

Kyle Larson (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

was the only appropriate course of action to take.”

Chip Ganassi Racing had said on Monday it was immediately suspending Larson without pay over the incident, which occurred during Sunday’s virtual race.

NASCAR also suspended the driver indefinitely and ordered him to attend sensitivity training.

Larson could be heard using the slur while he was apparently testing his microphone for the competition.

Staveley’s Newcastle takeover moves closer

Mike Ashley's 13-year tenure as Newcastle owner may be close to an end (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)

Tour de France could take place in August Egan Bernal of Colombia, and Team INEOS yellow leader jersey Geraint Thomas of United Kingdom, and Team INEOS Peloton during the 106th Tour de France 2019 - Stage 21, a 128km stage from Rambouillet to Paris Champs-Élysées - on July 28, 2019 in Paris, France (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

(REUTERS) - Cycling teams are gearing up for the Tour de France to be held in August rather than the usual July, after French President Emmanuel Macron said big public events would be halted until mid-July as the country fights the COVID-19 pandemic.

Marc Madiot, president of the French cycling league and director of the Groupama–FDJ cycling team, said Macron’s comments, which included extending measures to slow the coronavirus outbreak, paved the way for the Tour to be held in August.

“Based on what he told us, it seems conceivable to hold the Tour de France in the course of August,” he told Reuters.

French newspaper Le Dauphine Libere reported later

yesterday that the Tour would run from August 29 to September 20.

Thousands of fans gather along the roadside every day to watch the Tour and urge on the riders during the three-week race, posing a risk of spreading the virus further among the public and the cycling teams alike.

An email seen by Reuters on Saturday and sent to the publishers of the official Tour programme showed the organisers were focussing on postponing rather than cancelling the race, which had been scheduled for June 27-July 19.

The organisers, who had no immediate comment yesterday, told German news agency DPA that the dates initially announced would not be possible and that they were working on postponing the event.

TRAINING NEEDED After the postponement of the Euro 2020 soccer finals and the Tokyo Olympic Games, the Tour de France which usually takes place in June and July – is one of the last major sporting events not to have been officially moved this year.

Since the Tour’s inception in 1903, only the two world wars of 1914-1918 and 1939-1945 have forced organisers to cancel the race.

The head of the French cycling league said teams would need to be allowed to train outdoors before the end of the lockdown period, however. Cycling outdoors has been restricted in France to crack down on the virus.

“Our boys need to be able to train. The longer we’re under lockdown, the longer

they will need to get back in shape,” Madiot said. “People think cycling outdoors is just to go for a ride, but we have to be on the road for work.”

Participants said holding the Tour and avoiding a cancellation was crucial for the teams’ financial survival.

“It’s not too late today,” Vincent Lavenu, AG2R-La Mondiale team manager, said. He also believed the Tour was likely to be pushed back into August, even to the end of the month. “What’s essential is that the Tour is held,” he added.

He said sponsorship income from road racing’s biggest event amounted to 60% or even 70% of teams’ worldwide revenue.

“That’s huge and essential to the survival of teams,” Lavenu said.

(BBC) - A Newcastle United takeover has taken a step closer after new documents show that owner Mike Ashley has entered into a charge agreement with potential buyer Amanda Staveley.

Financier Staveley is leading a bid which involves Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund and the Reuben Brothers.

It is understood to be worth £300m.

The 31-page charge agreement lodged at Companies House lays the legal groundwork for a potential deal to be completed.

The documents include details of a £150m claim related to Staveley’s firm, PCP Capital Partners, and its long-running legal case against Barclays Bank PLC. The Premier League has also been informed of the potential deal and are understood to have begun the process of carrying out checks under its owners and directors test.

Newcastle and Staveley would not comment when approached by BBC Sport.

Ashley said in October 2017 he wanted to sell the club after 10 years in charge.

Initially, the deal was said to have been worth £340m, but the latest development will encourage many Newcastle fans who want to see Ashley end his association with the club, having taken over in 2007.

Supporters have cited a lack of ambition and have also criticised his conduct during the coronavirus pandemic where the club has charged fans for next season’s season tickets.

There has also been disappointment at Newcastle being one of three Premier League clubs to have placed their non-playing staff on furlough.

News of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund being involved in a takeover first emerged in January.

At that stage talks were described as “advanced” but “complicated” and there was criticism of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record from Amnesty International.

Staveley, who is believed to want a 10% stake in Newcastle, first attempted to buy the club in 2018.

Sports finance expert Kieran Maguire told BBC Sport: “These are steps you’d expect to take place in respect of a takeover, it seems that things have accelerated.

“The trouble with Mike Ashley is that until you see the final documents, it’s never completed but the other parties would not waste their time like this unless there had been progress in terms of a takeover.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Ambrose lauds Skerritt’s administration (CMC) – Legendary fast bowler Sir Curtly Ambrose has lauded the Ricky Skerritt administration for immediately confronting and attempting to fix the player issues facing West Indies cricket.

Prior to Skerritt’s election as Cricket West Indies (CWI) president a year ago, several experienced players remained at loggerheads with the Dave Cameron-led board and often declined selection while others opted for retirement.

However, with Skerritt immediately overhauling the selection process and announcing his intention to use a player-centred approach to governance, the Caribbean side has seen the return of players like Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo and Lendl Simmons.

“CWI before Ricky Skerritt’s tenure has had major issues with players and the board, and a lot of players just didn’t want to represent the West Indies because of issues,” Sir Curtly said here.

“What I like about his (Skerritt) thing is that he brought all the players back in, meaning that everyone can be available for selection so we can try and find the strongest West Indies teams and that, to me, is a good thing.”

Simmons was recalled after 2-½ years in the wilderness while Bravo ended his retirement and earlier this year made his first appearance in nearly four years for

Curtly Ambrose

the Caribbean side.

Pollard, whose appearances had also been infrequent, was appointed captain of the white-ball sides last September, despite having not played a single One-Day International in three years.

Sir Curtly, a former West Indies bowling coach, said Pollard’s appointment had been a progressive move by selectors.

“I like the idea of bringing Pollard as captain and I’ve said that before, in the ODIs and T20s,” said the Antiguan, who snatched 405 wickets

Holder hoping for Test dominance

(CMC) – West Indies Test captain Jason Holder says he hopes to leave a legacy of being one of the greats in the longest format, but is cognizant of the need to sustain very high standards if he is to achieve that goal.

Already, the 28-year-old has become one of the contemporary faces of the Test format, and is currently the number one all-rounder in the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings.

And though pointing out he enjoyed all three formats, Holder said he placed considerable emphasis on Test cricket which remained the measure of all cricketers.

“Test cricket is the ultimate game for me,” Holder told TalkSport’s Cricket Collective.

“Growing up there was only Test cricket and 50-over cricket, to be fair, and you always were marked and critiqued on your performance in Test cricket – you became a legend of the game through Test cricket.

“I don’t think many people would stand out as being legends of the game via the one-day route but obviously with the advent of T20 cricket, there is a debate now

with white-ball versus redball cricket but still I think red-ball cricket would take precedence, and I just want to be remembered for being a great Test match cricketer and not only a great Test match cricketer per se but a great cricketer.

“In order to do that, you’ve got to be consistent, and more than likely every time you step on the park you’re being scrutinised and marked. So for me it’s about keeping my standards high and making sure I’m doing everything in my power to win cricket games for whoever I’m representing.”

Holder shot to stardom last year when he struck a monumental unbeaten 202 to propel West Indies to a crushing victory over England in the opening Test at Kensington Oval last January.

In reaching triple figures for the third time in his career, he became the first West Indies number eight to score a doubl-century in Tests and the first Windies captain since Brian Lara in 2004, to notch a double against England.

Only the previous year, fast bowler Holder had captured 33 wickets at an av-

erage of 12.39 – the best average in a calendar for nearly a century. He currently averages 32 with the bat from 40 Tests and 26 with the ball.

Though Holder averaged 49 with the bat and took 20 wickets at 17 apiece in Tests last year, he believes there was still much improvement needed.“ “I think if I look at it from a holistic point of view of all three formats, I don’t think it was my best year,” he explained.

“I try to mark myself pretty hard and try to set pretty high standards as well.

So coming off of 2018 where I felt I had the best year of my cricketing career, I think I probably fell back a little in 2019 but it’s a new year in 2020 – 2019 is behind us and for me it’s just getting myself attuned back to playing international cricket.

“Hopefully we can get some Test cricket going again. I think Test cricket is the best way to get some cricket under your belt – you get some overs under your belt, you get time to spend in the middle and it’s not rushed. That puts my cricket in good stead.”

from 98 Tests.

“I think he is a fantastic leader. I have a lot of respect for him. He knows how to get the best out of his players and it is going to take a little time as well because we are so far behind.”

Despite the positive moves by Skerritt regarding player involvement, Sir Curtly said the former tourism minister in St Kitts had a massive job on his hands in rescuing West Indies cricket.

“West Indies cricket generally has been in a serious decline for about 20 years and even though president Skerritt and his crew have a lot of things they want to put in place, it is almost impossible to fix West Indies cricket in one year and not even one term, because one term is two years,” Sir Curtly argued.

“It is going to take a lot longer than two years to really implement the things that they want to implement.”

Church’s, NCN, Smoke Shack on board iBet Supreme’s FIFA20 ‘League of Champions’ ... Over $100 000, 2 dwt of gold and other prizes up for grabs THE highly-anticipated FIFA20 eSports tournament ‘League of Champions’, which is being hosted by iBet Supreme, has received a tremendous boost through additional sponsors who have joined the team.

This means that more prizes will be there for the taking as 32 contestants will go head-to-head through online clashes on eight playing days across two weeks.

Local grill, The Smoke

and radio broadcasting giant, the National Communication Network, will be playing their supporting role with a live broadcast of the semi-finals and final of the tournament.

In addition to a trophy, a special meal package from Church’s and two dwt of gold, the winner will pocket $50 000 and a case of Monster Energy drinks while the runner-up will receive $25 000 and the same prizes as the winner (excluding a tro-

Shack, will be providing a trophy for the winner while A&A Game Spot has put up two pennyweight (dwt) of gold as an additional incentive for the outright winner.

Camex Restaurants, through their Church’s Chicken franchise, will also be supplying meals for the top three finishers in the tournament.

Meanwhile, television

phy and the gold). Third place will also walk away with $15 000 and the corresponding prizes.

The initiative was launched as a means of helping to enforce the fight against the global pandemic, COVID-19. Through this tournament iBet Supreme is looking to provide entertainment while reinforcing the

necessary measures needed as part of its corporate responsibility.

The ‘League of Champions’ will be played online so that participants won’t have to leave their homes, thus adhering to the laws governing the current COVID-19 situation.

The criteria for interested persons are as follows: provision of name, address, date of birth (must be 18 or older), PSN ID, Internet Connection Type, team to be played with (no international teams, strictly club team to be used throughout the entirety of the tournament).

Registration is already open and for additional tournament information gamers are being encouraged to call 608-7036. The first match day is set for Saturday, April 18, 2020.

S u p re m e Ve n t u re s , a w e l l - re s p e c t e d a n d well-regulated company, operates its Guyanese brand, iBet Supreme, through Supreme Ventures Guyana Holdings Inc. (SVGH) and Supreme Ventures Enterprise Inc. (SVE).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Guyana to host 2022 CARIFTA Games ... Hutson calls 2021 games cancellation ‘a blessing in disguise’

By Rawle Toney WITH this year’s CARIFTA Games being cancelled by North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association, Guyana’s hosting of the 50th edition will now be shifted to 2022.

The 49th edition of the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) Games would have been held April 10-13 in Bermuda, but, due to the Caribbean, like the rest of the world battling the COVID-19 pandemic, the organisers had to move the event to 2021; the same year that was designated for Guyana to host one of the most prestigious youth track and field events in the world.

In an exclusive interview with Chronicle Sport, president of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), Aubrey Hutson, noted that the move can be seen as a blessing in disguise for his local organising committee, especially taking the country’s current political climate into consideration.

Hutson related that on April 9 via an online meeting amongst the executives of the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association, the custo-

dians of the CARIFTA Games, unanimously agreed that the COVID-19 virus has placed everyone at a disadvantage.

“Ironically, this is going to give Guyana an opportunity to showcase our ability to host these games at a level that is expected from us; it is going to be the 50th year of the CARIFTA Games, so for me it is better for us to agree to that position (hosting it in 2022),” Hutson said.

The AAG president further noted, “...also, with the current political situation in Guyana and the global economic crisis that is taking place, it gives our sponsors as well a little more elbow room, for the stabilisation of the world’s economies to understand where Guyana is as a player in the global market and how effective sponsoring CARIFTA 2022 can have on their businesses.”

President of the North and Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Track and Field Association, Mike Sands, in a statement, said his Association also took into account the impact on government and private sector plans and budgets for 2020 and perhaps, beyond, as well as the uncertainty in respect of the re-convening of international travel.

Sands highlighted that the closure of schools and sports facilities thereby impacting athletes’ ability to train and adequately prepare for a delayed edition of the CARIFTA Games in 2020 along with delayed examinations for students at the pre-College stage of their careers World Athletics has already announced the postponement and/or cancellation of several of its own competitions for 2020, including the World Junior (U-20) Championships, with Sands relating that “the Executive therefore agreed to have me, in my capacity as president, to engage in discussions with our member federation in Bermuda, the government of Bermuda, the National Olympic Committee (the local representative of Pan Am Sports) as well as sponsors of the Games of 2020, to ascertain their thinking in respect of the postponement of the Games to Easter of 2021.”

Sands, who along with NACAC General Secretary Keith Joseph had visited Guyana in January, reminded that discussions had begun with all stakeholders in Guyana, craving their understanding and support, given that Bermuda did nothing to lose the annual event

and is therefore deserving of being given the opportunity to make good on its commitment, albeit, one year later.

“The NACAC executive believes that our decision is in the best collective interest of our CARIFTA family and allows us all an opportunity to support both Bermuda and Guyana in the face of these most trying times.

“We have an excellent opportunity to work more deliberately together, to show to the world that our annual CARFITA Games is indeed, the very best junior track and field competition, globally.”

Guyana is a founding-member of CARIFTA, and in 1972, the games were initiated to mark the Caribbean Free Trade Association’s transition to CARICOM. The 2017 CARIFTA Games will go down as one of the country’s most memorable outings, given the fact that they were able to bag eight medals – four gold, three bronze and one silver.

It was at the 46th edition of the games, hosted in Curacao, where Linden’s Compton Caesar created history, by winning Guyana’s first-ever gold medal in the 100m at the event.

CONCACAF hints at changes to 2022 World Cup qualifiers WITH the novel coronavirus pandemic jeopardising the start of 2022 World Cup qualifying for teams in the CONCACAF region, FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani noted their already revised format will change to align with the compressed calendar, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Montagliani acknowledged the complexity of relaunching competition as domestic leagues; national teams and overlapping international tournaments compete for space in a compressed timeline.

The CONCACAF president did, however, warned that it is still way too early to make any assumptions about when competition can restart, though the next FIFA window is in early September.

The regional qualifying phase, known as the hexagonal, is scheduled to start in September. But in the wake of international windows in March and June cancelled and uncertainty about the resumption of sports in general, qualifiers in September and beyond might not occur as scheduled.

The likelihood of international matches of any kind in September is “not very

high,” said Montagliani.

FIFA, football’s global governing body, recently formed a working group to look into changing the international windows for World Cup qualifiers and other competitions.

Montagliani told reporters during a conference call that CONCACAF is looking into “the possibilities and probabilities. If this calendar is going to change, how is it going to change and how will that affect the format of the World Cup qualifying, which in likelihood will happen.”

Under current guidelines, the six regional teams ranked highest by FIFA are scheduled to play one another home and away for a total of 10 matches apiece between this September and June 2021.

Three would earn automatic berths to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and a fourth would enter a playoff against the winner of a second-tier regional competition in fall 2021. That survivor would advance to an international playoff in spring 2022.

The World Cup will not take place until November and December 2022 because of oppressive heat in Qatar in the summer, yet Montagliani said, calendar issues

are “piling up at our doorstep. We may have to look at reformatting how this looks.

Whether it’s a hexagonal or some other shape that is part of a kid’s block set, I don’t know.

“We just don’t know what this thing is going to look like until we know what the (FIFA) calendar is going to look like and how this calendar fits into our entire ecosystem.”

Although World Cup qualifying is the most visible competition, the CONCACAF president said the idea is to ensure that everyone is given a fair chance at qualifying for the world’s mostview single sporting event.

CONCACAF also must reschedule qualifiers for the 2021 Gold Cup and the last phase of the inaugural Nations League, whose semifinals; third-place game and final were scheduled June 4-7 at three Texas venues and serve as the last tune-ups before World Cup qualifying.

Also, Montagliani said the vote to choose the 2023 Women’s World Cup location, initially scheduled for June, might take place in September. The candidates are a joint-bid of Australia and New Zealand; Japan; Brazil; and Colombia.

FLASHBACK! From left, GFF executive member Ryan Farias, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani and GFF president Wayne Forde at the 2019 CONCACAF Nations League Draw in Las Vegas

Guyana to host 2022 CARIFTA Games PAGE 23

... Hutson calls 2021 games cancellation ‘a blessing in disguise’

FLASHBACK!

From left, Colonel Paul Arthur (LOC member), NACAC president Mike Sands, AAG president Aubrey Hutson, NACAC general secretary Keith Joseph and Mayfield Taylor-Trim (LOC member) during the NACAC team’s visit to Guyana in January (Carl Croker photo)

There is a huge cloud over IPL 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic (BCCI)

IPL 2020 PAGE 19

likely to be postponed indefinitely

Holder PAGE 22

hoping for Test dominance

Jason Holder targeting Test legacy

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020