first tested for COVID

SENIOR COUNSEL ROYSDALE FORDE SAYS THE PPP WILL TRY TO STALL THE ELECTIONS PETITION

Member of Parliament, Jagdeo in relation to the “It was clear during the would be exposed as elections commission? is satisfied that the service of the elections process of serving of the being misconceived. Why spend considerable coalition satisfied all petition but I am satisfied petition that Mr. Jagdeo, The fact that the two time and energy seeking the laws pertaining to that we would have the representative of the petitions filed by the to use state force against the elections petition. complied with all the legal list, would have sought to coalition may be seeking persons? His comments came requirements in relation to avoid service, repeatedly. the same end result does “Why seek to lockup in the wake of the elections petitions and “But the law, the not mean that they are the people? I am not worried objections of a the laws governing them. National Assembly same. Mr Forde said that by the statements made lack of service on “We therefore expect Validity Act, contemplated the reliefs being sought by the Attorney General. Bharrat Jagdeo, that these elections those possibilities. We are completely different. What I know as a fact is the representative petitions will be heard and complied with the law, And in response to the that they are extremely of the PPP list determined quickly and in we applied to the court comment by Attorney worried about the of candidates. favour of the petitioner.” in due time and got General Anil Nandlall elections petitions being Representing Mr Forde said that orders of court granted that the petitions will go heard so early and what Jagdeo is he is confident about in respect of himself and nowhere, Senior Counsel they are likely to reveal. Senior Counsel the petitions being other respondents we had Forde said that the PPP is Because a petition Douglas successful. He said that difficulty effecting service simply putting up a front. seeks the removal of a Mendes. the petitions should be upon and we were able to “If they have all this government from office, “There were heard expeditiously. He comply with the law.” degree of confidence in lawyers will seek every indications of said that his team that The preliminary case the elections petition being available path to delay Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde, a objections being raised by Mr Mendes on behalf of Mr included attorney Mayo Robertson, anticipated such objections. is that the objections may not have merit. Mr Forde said that the objections without merit, why spend state resources hounding down employees of the an elections petition from being heard, according to Mr. Forde. CDC says there is no risk of oil spill from Nabarima vessel Police force receives donations from PSC to help protect them from COVID-19

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) wishes to notify the public that there is minimal risk of an oil spill in the Gulf of Paria. This information comes after assessments conducted by Trinidad and Tobago, efforts to relieve the Floating Production Storage and Offloading Vessel (FSO) NABARIMA of its cargo and the ongoing remedial works.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Energy Minister, Franklin Khan, said yesterday, “The FSO Nabarima is upright and stable with no visible tilt and there is no imminent risk of tilting or sinking.”

A three-man team from Trinidad and Tobago assessed the situation and reported that the ongoing maintenance on the vessel was “quite satisfactory” with pumps and electrical motors being repaired and replaced as needed.

The Guardian Newspaper reported that the Venezuelans and Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA) had started to offload the vessel on Tuesday after the arrival of PDVSA’s Aframax ship, Icaro – a much smaller vessel than Nabarima.

Khan said that the team recommended that the transfer of oil from

Police Commissioner Nigel Hoppie received 2,000 masks and a check for $99,000 from the the vessel be done by Private Sector Commission (PSC) done by Chairman of the PSC, Nicholas Boyer a larger vessel which Police Commissioner The Commissioner to “engage, encourage, will reduce the offload Nigel Hoppie received said the funds will be used educate and enforce.” The time and logistics of 2,000 masks and a to purchase materials to Commissioner also said the transfer as “this will check for $99,000 sew reusable masks for that he hopes people will reduce the possibility of from the Private Sector the police ranks who are a continue to adhere to the an environmental incident Commission (PSC) to part of the Government’s measures in place. occurring in the Gulf of help protect ranks from COVI-Curb operation. Boyer also encouraged Paria.” COVID-19. The COVID-curb the public to work with

The CDC will continue The handing over was operation was started with the police force and to to liaise with its local, done by Chairman of the the goal of sensitizing the follow the guidelines regional and international PSC, Nicholas Boyer, and public to the importance set by the Ministry of counterparts to ensure the businessman, Maniram of the measures that are in Public Health and the situation is adequately Prashad, today, October place for the prevention of international agencies, monitored and that no 23, at the Commissioner’s COVID-19. WHO and PAHO. threats are posed to conference room at Eve The Police Force is Guyana. Leary. working in every Region 21 21 Tucville, Georgetown, Guyana, Tel: 592-623-9971

House to House registration is a must

Dear Editor,

My country remains a strange and interesting place in the run up to National and Regional Elections 2020, for reasons which I never understood.

GECOM suspended House-to House Registration.

Spurious reasons were advanced to justify us going into Elections before completing this House-to-House registration exercise.

For some equally strange reason our political leaders seem to accept going into Elections using a list that was clearly not wholesome.

Those of us who have experienced the contentions of Elections, since Universal Adult Suffrage was introduced in 1953, must know how important an updated list of voters is.

What prevented us from continuing Houseto-House Registration, Covid 19 or no Covid?,

Are we to believe that our new political leaders relish a situation where Elections provide opportunities for disputes?

For the sake of removing all obstacles in the way of a peaceful and speedy Election, a Houseto-House registration should be reactivated and a system put in place for an annual review and update of such a list.

Hamilton Green

Coastal warnings discontinued as Epsilon moves away from Bermuda

Loop News) Bermudians are breathing a collective sigh of relief as the country’s Meteorological Service has discontinued the Tropical Storm warning for the island.

There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect, as Epsilon has veered off its projected course and is now moving northward, away from Bermuda.

The National Hurricane Centre has advised, however, that large swells generated by Epsilon will affect Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Greater Antilles, the Leeward Islands, the east coast of the United States, and Atlantic Canada during the next few days.

These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.

At 5am AST, the centre of Hurricane Epsilon was located over the central Atlantic Ocean about 195 miles (310 km) eastnortheast of Bermuda.

Epsilon is moving toward the north near 8 mph (13 km/h). A generally northward motion with increasing forward speed is expected through early Saturday, with an even faster motion toward the northeast later that day.

The centre of Epsilon will continue to move away from Bermuda.

Maximum sustained winds are near 85 mph (140 km/h) with higher gusts.

Epsilon remains a large storm system. Hurricaneforce winds extend outward up to 15 miles (30 km) from the centre and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 255 miles (405 km).

Some fluctuations in strength could occur for the next day or so before gradual weakening begins on Saturday.

Trinidad and Tobago prepares tourism sector for reopening of borders (Caribbean News tourism stakeholders took (Acting) Heidi Alert, tourism resilience training Heidi Alert further further assurance to Global) PORT OF SPAIN, part in this program on “this training was that we have engaged added: “We are also travellers about their Trinidad – Tourism October 14. essential for the industry COSTATT to deliver thrilled to be working commitment to their Trinidad Limited (TTL) Tourism practitioners to emerge stronger and to transport operators, more closely with health safety. in collaboration with the were briefed The advantage of Caribbean Public Health regarding best this Stamp is that it Agency (CARPHA) practices to be provides measurable hosted a train the trainer implemented and verifiable webinar: COVID-19 to restore the recognition that health guidelines for confidence of tourism businesses reopening the tourism the travellers are implementing sector and the tourism through the recommended health information system. regional safety proactive COVID-19

Designed for a and security health monitoring wide range of tourism protocols and safety measures stakeholders, this webinar designed to and is, therefore, an provided a comprehensive reduce risks in excellent marketing understanding of the each step of the tool”. COVID-19 pandemic tourism value Established in 2011 as well as protection and chain. These by the Caribbean safety measures. This protocols Community Member training is a crucial step in include the States, the Caribbean the overall preparation for implementation Public Health eventual reopening of the of check Agency (CARPHA) destination to international procedures where more sustainably from tourist attractions, hotels, CARPHA, the leading is the recognised single travellers. appropriate, including COVID-19. At this time, tour operators, and food regional public health regional public health

One of the key temperature scans, testing, we must act decisively to and beverage facilities to response to COVID-19, agency for the Caribbean. messages from the virtual physical distancing, restore travel confidence prepare for when the time to roll out to the industry The main objective training was that tourism enhanced frequency of in a safe and responsible becomes appropriate to the online Tourism of CARPHA is to stakeholders must deliver cleaning and the provision manner. It sends a clear reopen borders and once Health Information strengthen and reorient simple, easy, healthy, and of hygiene kits for safe air message that we care again welcome visitors. System (THiS) that will the Caribbean’s health safe experiences for all travel, hospitality services deeply about the health This retooling of the make successful tourism system approach so that visitors to Destination and safe events. and safety of both our tourism sector will give organizations eligible to our island states are better Trinidad as we navigate According to the citizens and visitors”. Destination Trinidad an receive the Caribbean equipped to address the through the coronavirus chief executive officer “The CARPHA training edge in its marketing Travel Health Assurance rapidly changing nature of pandemic. Over 200 of Tourism Trinidad complements the wider activities”. (CTHA) Stamp, adding public health challenge info@guyanapostonline.com 22

COVID-19 Update October 23

The Ministry of Heath recorded 27 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday October 22. Four cases were recorded in Region Three, 21 in Region Four, one in Region Six and one in Region Seven.

The total number of recorded cases in Guyana is now at 3,877.

There have been 118 recorded COVID-19 deaths. 38 deaths were recorded over the last three weeks.

As of October 22 there have been 17,625 persons tested for the virus. 2,853 persons have recovered leaving the number of active cases in the country at 906.

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament, Dr. Karen Cummings

The Ministry of Health has said that there have been considerable achievements in its efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony said the regions have been doing well in containing the disease but also acknowledged that there would be spikes in infections.

The Minister pointed to a reduction in the number of positive cases in Region Nine with a change from close to 100 active cases to six active cases.

Region One has one of the highest number of COVID-19 cases with pandemic in Guyana has taken a turn for the worst with an alarming increase in the number of deaths Kwebanna being among the most affected villages. Dr. Anthony said a health team will be dispatched to boost the medical workforce in the Region.

Once someone tests positive, they will be isolated at home; Contact tracing is done, and their relatives are informed about how to protect themselves. There will also be strict monitoring of persons entering and leaving the community.

The Minister added that these methods have proven effective in other villages with a reduction in the number of cases after two to three weeks.

Minister Anthony also

said that the challenges of dealing with the disease have been reduced with the capacity to now conduct tests at the National Public Health Reference Laboratory, which has been boosted with three Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machines. The Ministry was also successful in procuring adequate test kits and reagents to ensure there are sufficient stocks available.

The Minister reiterated the call for Guyanese to do their part to reduce transmission of the disease by wearing masks and sanitising or washing their

Health Minister abandons COVID-19 patients — says Dr. Karen Cummings

hands thoroughly.

Ministry of Health and Dr Frank Anthony has accused the Ministry as more and more people of Health and Dr Frank become infected. Anthony of what she calls “On October 13, 2020, ‘dereliction of duty.’ the Ministry of Health

At a press conference recorded 1,008 active yesterday she said that cases of COVID-19 the Health Ministry has of which 876 infected abandoned its duty to persons were left to home COVID patients. isolate.”

“The COVID-19 Dr. Cummings said that it is wishful thinking of the to government-operated Minister of Health, that isolation Units. he expects home isolated Today, the infected patients to stay home, people are not provided with any support from the government. This causes more persons to become infected and later die, Dr. Cummings said. It is almost impossible for an infected person to be isolated in a normal home in Guyana. She said that it is wishful thinking on the part of the Health Minister to believe that infected people will be in a home and not infect the not infect their families, other occupants. and not die but rather he Dr. Cummings said that expects these very patients the patients also have to to foot the bill while the foot the bill for their care Health Ministry continues while the Ministry eases to waste tax dollars. itself of this responsibility.

She said that in the past “(The authorities) the Coalition isolated no longer have to find anyone who tested nurses and doctors to positive. They were taken provide patients with daily 23 23

Dr. Karen Cummings checks to ensure they are recovering well.

“They no longer have to ensure patients have access to vitamin supplements such as Vitamin C and Zinc along with medication for fever, headache and cough

“They no longer have to supply each positive patient with a minimum of three surgical face masks a day to prevent them from spreading COVID-19

“ They no longer have to provide PPE – face masks, face shields, gloves, shoe covers, and gowns – for doctors and nurses to use daily – a minimum of three times per day to follow-up on patients.”

In the end the Ministry saves at least $24,500 per patient.

“When a patient is on home isolation the Ministry of Health saves money as follows. On average the Government saves about $24,500 a day for every COVID-19 case that is on home isolation,” Dr. Cummings said.

This value to the Government of the day is in exchange of an average of two new cases of COVID-19 which is gained for every person they place on home isolation, she added.

This constitutes a dereliction of duty by the Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony and the PPP regime who are failing to deliver adequate and sufficient health care to the people of Guyana during this global pandemic.

Private Sector Commission Elections observer pleads guilty to cocaine trafficking

Ghalee Khan

…Ghalee Khan faces five-year jail term

On Wednesday, indicted on the cocaine contracts from the Guyana October 21, 2020 charges. They were Government for nearly a Guyanese businessman accused of moving five or decade. and former Private Sector more kilos cocaine from Khan’s firm was Election Observer, Ghalee Guyana. accepted as a member of Khan, made a plea deal Khan jumped bail the private sector and the before a Federal Judge in December 2008. He Chamber of Commerce in in the US, according to proceeded to reestablish Guyana New York-based Enrico residence and business in On Wednesday, the Woolford. Guyana. court this morning heard

Khan, a 43-year-old Although the then PPP that the plea agreement Guyanese, admitted that government was aware was in discussion with he is guilty of conspiracy of Khan and his co- the Prosecution since last to import drugs into, conspirator’s presence in year. Khan left Guyana for conspiracy with intent to Guyana very little effort the US days after he was distribute drugs in the US was made to have them an observer at Guyana’s and of jumping bail. appear in the US court. March 2 Elections this

Khan was arrested in Khan set up a security year. November 2008 when he company that tendered According to Woolford, and Danvor Griffith were for and obtained security the Managing Director Epsilon now a category 2 hurricane, Bermuda braces for bad weather (Loop News) A Tropical northwest near 7 mph (11 Hurricane-force winds Storm Warning continues km/h). extend outward up to for Bermuda and residents A turn toward the north- 25 miles (35 km) from have been advised to northwest is expected the centre and tropicalbrace for Tropical storm later today, followed by a storm-force winds extend conditions today. northward motion tonight outward up to 310 miles

The National through Friday night, and (500 km). Additional Hurricane Centre stated an acceleration toward the weakening is forecast to in its 5 reports that these northeast on Saturday. take place during the next conditions will continue On the forecast track, few days. intermittently in Bermuda the centre of Epsilon is Large swells generated throughout this evening. forecast to make its closest by Epsilon will affect

At 5am AST, the centre approach to, but well to Bermuda, the Bahamas, of Hurricane Epsilon was the east of, Bermuda later the Greater Antilles, the located about 260 miles this evening. Leeward Islands, the east (415 km) east-southeast of Maximum sustained coast of the United States, Bermuda. winds have decreased and Atlantic Canada

Epsilon has been to near 110 mph (175 during the next few days. wobbling around since km/h) with higher gusts These swells are likely last evening, but according – a category 2 hurricane to cause life-threatening to the NHC, its longer- on the Saffir-Simpson surf and rip current term motion is toward the Hurricane Wind Scale. conditions

COVID-19 Update October 22

The Ministry of Health recorded 54 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday October 20.

Five cases were from Region One, three from Region Two, seven from Region Three, 31 from Region Four, two from Region Seven, two from Region Eight, two from Region Nine and two from Region Ten.

The total number of recorded cases in Guyana is now 3,850. of the Guyana-based television newscast, Capitol News, Khan will be sentenced on January 28 next year by Federal

Two of the three men who escaped from Lusignan Prison have been recaptured. The three prisoners escaped on Tuesday night by jumping the fence of the Prison.

A statement from the Guyana Prison Service said that swift and tactical action by members of the Joint Services led to the recapture of Alex Matthias

District Judge Sterling Johnson. He faces a minimum of five years in federal jail.

Khan appeared with his and Arnold Kennedy at Zeelugt Public Road, East Bank Essequibo. Both men were facing murder charges.

Police have said that the pair will provide aid in the ongoing search for the remaining escapee Mark Rafino. Rafino is from Good Intent Village, West Bank Demerara and was at 893.

The COVID-19 Emergency Measures (No. 9), will remain in effect until October 31st, 2020. This order emphasises the need for correct and consistent use of a face attorney Michael Kushner before Magistrate Judge Roanne Mann via video and telephone conference because of COVID

Two of three escapees recaptured

considerations.

committed to stand trial for robbery.

The Police also thanked persons who helped to get the information about the escape out to the public, the support of the public for providing information on their location and the Joint Services members for conducting a clinical

There have been 956 COVID-19 deaths so far cases recorded over the in the month of October. last three weeks. As of October 21 there

The death toll has risen have been 17,482 persons to 118 with the death tested for the virus. 2,839 of a 68-year-old man persons have recovered from Region One. There leaving the number of have been 38 recorded active cases in the country 24

recapture. mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand-hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

GUNMEN VISIT CHIEF JUSTICE’S HOME, DROP FAKE PISTOL

The Police Criminal dropped and left behind the main entrance to the Investigation Department, after the female police community. Major Crimes Unit and rank who was on duty It is unclear if any other law enforcement at the location raised an evidential footage was agencies are on high alarm and the Tactical recovered by the detective alert after three men Services Unit rank who who visited the location. It showed up at the home was also on duty at the is also unclear if the Chief of Chief Justice Roxane premises responded. Justice was at home at the George, one day before However by the time time. the case management the rank took up his Chief Justice Roxane into the elections petition tactical posture to engage George is expected to filed by the coalition the men, they made good start the case management administration. their escape. The pistol procedures into the March BIG Smith News turned out to be a fake. 2020 election petition Watch, headed by Leroy The community where which was filed by the A Smith, reported that the the Chief Justice lives has Partnership for National men showed up with a a number of houses with Unity+ Alliance for Chief Justice Roxane George, Glock Pistol which they CCTV cameras as well as Change (APNU+AFC). Ministry discusses plans to reopen schools

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, held a virtual meeting with all Regional Executive Officers and Regional Education Officers to discuss plans for the eventual re-opening of schools.

In attendance were Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hutson; Permanent Secretary, Alfred King; the Assistant Chief Education Officers for Nursery, Primary and Secondary; all District Education Officers and the Chief Planning Officer Nicola Johnson.

The objective of the meeting was to determine the level of preparations each region had for the eventual re-opening of schools.

Grades 10 and Eleven 11 students were considered for the first group of students to return to in class learning as they would need more time in the classroom to complete School-Based Assessments (SBA) for CXC and CAPE examinations in 2021.

The Minister stressed the importance of schools being prepared to safely receive both students and teachers once they are approved for re-opening by the Ministry of Health.

Every school should have running water, adequate toilets and other related features made available.

Currently works are underway at schools across the country to install additional sinks at the entrances and within the schools. Additional toilets are being built; COVID-19 guidelines signs are being placed around the schools and the compounds are being weeded and cleaned.

The issue of students at schools with dormitories being adequately facilitated while still observing the COVID-19 social distancing guideline was also discussed in the meeting.

Minister Manickchand acknowledged that these undertakings are expensive but noted that the National Budget did cater for this approach in addressing the situation. She also said that the ongoing work had to be accelerated and efficiently managed to ensure the safety of students, teachers and other stakeholders once schools were reopened.

Stop giving money to child beggars— CPA’s Ann Greenefor

matters, on a recent of random cars. in which several were television programme. “We cannot arrest removed from the streets. “These children are at random persons who Through this intervention, risk and members of the hand out money to these a single mother of nine, public must not give these children on the streets, who is a security guard, children ‘small change’ but we are pleading with was called into the Agency because when they do, them to be our eyes. The after one of her children they become a part of Childcare and Protection was taken into care. the problem and not the Agency cannot do the job Ms. Greene said solution,” Ms. Greene alone; wherever there are that after listening to Ms. Ann Greene said. children wandering report the woman’s plight the The CPA has received them to the Agency, so Agency took a decision

Director of the money to children who reports that children we can get them off the to list the names and Childcare and Protection are begging at stop lights are soliciting money streets. Do not feed into last known addresses of Agency (CPA), Ms. Ann around Georgetown. at various stop light the issue,” Greene said. absentee fathers in the Greene is calling on the The Director raised this junctions, in exchange for Recently, the CPA team daily newspapers, asking public to stop giving issue, and other troubling cleaning the windscreens conducted an exercise them to report to the Late and unsubmitted SBAs responsible for ungraded CXC results

A review of the grades released by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has found that the reason behind the ungraded scores received by students was late, and in some cases non submission, of school based assessments (SBAs) by teachers.

Schools across the Caribbean have lodged

The Ministry of Health recorded 52 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday October 16. Nine cases were recorded in Region One, one in Region Two, four in Region Three, 24 in Region Four, one in Region Five, nine in Region Seven, and four in Region Ten.

The total number of recorded cases in Guyana complaints about this year’s CXC results in almost all of the subject areas. Students have also requested reviews of their final grades.

CXC altered the format of the Caribbean Secondary Certificate Examination by not including a long paper but requiring the submission of entire SBAs for to be is now 3,672.

The death toll is currently at 110. There have been 30 COVID-19 deaths recorded so far in October.

As of Friday, 16,561 persons have been tested for the virus. 2,590 persons have recovered leaving the number of active cases in the country at 972. graded. Usually, only a sample of the SBAs is used to make up the final grade.

Speaking on the explanation given by CXC on the ungraded results that were received, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, said on Tuesday that it appeared some teachers did not submit the SBAs on time or failed to submit them at all.

“Of the 20 schools that had ungraded marks, for most of them, it was because our teachers and our central Ministry failed in making sure those SBAs reached CXC or reach them correctly. So, it was not the students’ fault. It was the way it was delivered and submitted and that will not happen again.”

The Minister also said that there would be more training and monitoring of teachers in the future. She added that Marcel Hutson, the Chief Education Officer, is collaborating with the Assistant Chief Education Officer, Secondary Exams studies showed pregnant women can be severely affected by COVID-19 Agency.

“Through this system, once the information is published and the father/s reach out to us, we don’t throw them in the lockups. Instead, we work with them, whether through counselling or the court system, to ensure these children who are on the streets are taken care of rather than neglected and exposed to danger,” the Director said.

Division, to ensure that there is accurate and high quality marking and that the timetable for submissions is kept.

CXC is still in the process of reviewing the grades for other students and has made moves to address those who

Guyana’s COVID toll is 110 and counting

The Head of the virus. Georgetown Public Studies initially Hospital Corporation’s revealed that coronavirusObstetrics and positive mothers do not Gynecology Department, transfer the virus to their Dr. Lucio Pedro, disclosed babies, but other research that there are currently 37 has linked coronaviruspostpartum mothers who positive mothers to higher are infected with the virus. rates of premature births

Pedro said the hospital and maternal morbidity. was unsuccessful in The Pan-American determining how these Health Organisation women had contracted the (PAHO) had stated that 26 26

received ungraded results. but Dr. Pedro said none of positive for the virus they the positive mothers had are isolated from their shown any severe forms newborns to help reduce of the virus. infection. The hospital

Dr. Pedro added that has also constructed a all swabs which were makeshift labour room lifted from newborns for for positive COVID-19 COVID-19 testing have mothers to keep them returned negative. separated from those who

Once a mother tests are not infected. Tucville, Georgetown, Guyana, Tel: 592-623-9971