5. Disruption of trade in Services Several services sectors have already been severely affected by COVID-19 response measures adopted by countries. For instance, travel restrictions, national curfews against non-essential services and the closure of ports have paralyzed the airline industry, and halted tourism services, other industries affected include retail and distribution, cultural and entertainment and sporting services. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the international tourism economy could contract by between 45 and 70% over 2020-2021, depending on the duration of the crisis and the speed of the sector’s recovery. Tourism will be the hardest hit sector for Guyana, as well as entertainment service providers, particularly musicians. Some services sector have benefitted from the spread of the pandemic. Noteworthy, the acceleration in digitization has led to increased substitution of other modes of supply for more mode 1 (cross-border supply) activities which means increased opportunities for ICT service providers. The education sector for instance has been forced into virtual classroom placing demand on ICT services providers.13 There has also been an increase in online retailing.
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ttps://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_dialogue/---sector/documents/briefingnote/wcms_742025.pdf
March 1, 2020
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