Kaieteur News

K

AIETEUR NEWS

Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

US warns Guyana of consequences

Friday Edition March 13,2020 -Vol. 22 No. 10

p. Online: www.kaieteurnews.com 8 Online Price $80

- says ‘de facto’ regimes will not receive same treatment as democratically elected ones

readership yesterday 198,412

Future of Guyana is in CARICOM Chair says...

p.

24

Mingo’s hand EU observers want to see SOPs that p.

Mingo used to 8 prepare spreadsheet

Canada's Prime Minister's wifep. tests positive24 for coronavirus

ExxonMobil takes all precaution, cuts p. travel to Guyana 3 Saudia Arabia to strike at key oil 19p. market for Russia Contempt charge looms over GECOMp. Chair, CEO, Mingo 11 and Commissioners Granger tells CARICOM and OAS, elections p. were lawful 7

Pharmacies, stores inflate prices for anti-bacterial p. products in face of 16 Coronavirus

The wearing of facemask has begun in the city

Stop the pussyfooting While GECOM continues to pussyfoot in making a verified declaration of the results of District 4, the country’s future hangs in the balance.

It is incomprehensible that this nation is being led to believe that the actions of one man can stall the entire democratic process.

The letter and spirit of the law must be complied with. The Representation of the People’s Act must be interpreted purposively.

The clear intention of Section 84 of the Representation of the People’s Act is to ensure that the elections results are verified and declared following a transparent process.

The law is intended to ensure fair play, not chicanery.

Guyanese have waited more than ten days for the full and verifiable results of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional elections.

This process must be completed and done in a transparent manner.

There is no other way to achieve this than to revert to the Statements of Poll, which are the authentic and certified results of the elections.

The international community has spoken. GECOM has disgraced itself and the nation enough.

It should now put things right and ensure that the democratic will of the people is not subverted by the absence of transparency in the declaration of the results of District 4.

The top leadership of GECOM, including the Chief Elections Officer and the Chairperson of the Commission, hold a collective duty to ensure free, fair and impartial elections, which meet the highest standards of transparency.

GECOM Chair intervenes -totally regularise to resume Region Four declaration at 9AM today p.

3

PAGE 02

Kaieteur News

Friday March 13, 2020

Kaieteur News

Friday March 13, 2020

ExxonMobil takes precaution, cuts travel to Guyana

By Kiana Wilburg

E

ven before G u y a n a confirmed its first Coronavirus-related death, Stabroek Block Operator, ExxonMobil has been taking several precautionary measures since news of the outbreak, one of which includes cutting business travel to these shores.

Confirming this with Kaieteur News yesterday was Janelle Persaud, Public and Government Affairs Advisor for ExxonMobil. In addition to cutting business travel, Persaud said that ExxonMobil employees were advised to stay home if they are feeling unwell or have a fever so as to avoid possible spread to others.

Persaud was keen to note that ExxonMobil has wellestablished global processes in place to manage impacts related to infectious disease outbreaks.

She said, “Our focus is on ensuring the safety and health of our entire workforce and to do our part

to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus in the community.”

As a standard practice, Persaud said that ExxonMobil uses security and health guidance when approving travel. She said, too, that ExxonMobil has advised its contractors to do the same.

During an interview with CNBC, the world leader in business news and real-time financial market coverage, ExxonMobil's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Darren Woods, said that from the global perspective, the company has been cutting back business travel.

Woods reminded that ExxonMobil has a long history of operating in countries around the world where there has been over time, the outbreak of different viruses such as Ebola and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

As a result of those periods, ExxonMobil, he said has been able to develop robust protocols so that it can respond effectively when

faced with similar situations such as the coronavirus pandemic.

Wo o d s s a i d , “ We executed that (robust protocol) very early on which means cutting back discretionary travel, which means folks moving into their homes and working remotely. We have geared up our workforce so we can do that effectively...So we have implemented that early on.”

The ExxonMobil CEO added, “What happens is as we find that coronavirus is breaking out in different localities, we will set up systems. We have about 1500 employees in China, 750 in Italy, 125 in South Korea and all those protocols have been in place. I am pleased to say that it has not affected our employees.”

With respect to the effect the coronavirus has had on operations, Woods admitted that some of ExxonMobil's customers in China have pulled back and “that meant less product demand.”

Wo o d s a d d e d t h a t ExxonMobil has works to be

C

hair of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (ret'd) Claudette Singh, yesterday suspended the tabulation of votes from the Region 4 district. According to reports, the suspension had occurred in an effort to clarify the ruling handed down by Chief Justice, Roxane GeorgeWiltshire. It was stated that the Chair was waiting to peruse the written judgment that was made by the CJ. By last evening, the Guyana Elections Commission announced that the tabulation would restart today at 09:00 hours.

On Wednesday, the Chief Justice issued an order for the Returning Officer (RO) for District Four, Clairmont Mingo, to return to the legally prescribed procedure for tabulating the votes for Region Four after she deemed the previously declaration to be unlawful on the grounds that the tabulation used to arrive at it was in breach of the law. However, when the process restarted on Thursday

GECOM Chair, Justice (ret'd) Claudette Singh

morning, the RO sought out to use a spreadsheet, which was objected to by all political parties, except the APNU+AFC Coalition.

Opposition-appointed Commissioner, Sase Gunraj, said, “The RO, Mingo, is refusing to use or present Statements of Poll to ascertain the total number of votes cast in favour of each contesting party.

“He is instead attempting to use a spreadsheet, which is

Coalition accuses Jagdeo of racial incitement; submits videos to ERC

T

Public and Government Affairs Advisor for ExxonMobil, Janelle Persaud completed at some fabrication yards and those slowed down. He was keen to note however that, “things are picking up.”

The ExxonMobil Head stressed that a key consideration for company will be to stay on top of the coronavirus and keep employees safe. (Here's the link to the full CNBC I n t e r v i e w : https://www.youtube.com/w atch?v=Qkx7yDC2tNI&fea ture=youtu.be)

GECOM Chair intervenes to regularise Region Four declaration - tally to resume at 9AM today

PAGE 03

a clear breach of the tenets of Sec 84(1) of the Representation of the People's Act, Cap 3:01.”

The CJ handed down a consequential order that is in the best interest of transparency, but taking into consideration the need for urgency, the RO is to decide whether the process of ascertaining the total number of votes cast in favour of each list in the district by adding up the votes recorded in favour of the list in accordance with the Statement of Polls delivered, should be restarted or continued.

he A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) has filed a complaint to the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) complaining that General Secretary of the People's Progressive Party/Civic, Bharrat Jagdeo, is inciting racial tensions.

It has also submitted videos. The statement: “It is with regret and grave concern that we note the escalation of ethnic tensions fuelled by the irresponsible and racially insensitive remarks by the leadership of the People's Progressive Party- PPP. The violence that was unleashed on innocent s ch o olch ildren , p o lice officers and other citizens by supporters of the PPP was clearly inspired by rhetoric coming from the leadership of that party- the PPP.

We call attention to and note that the General Secretary of the PPP Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo has been complicit and guilty of using language to incite racial tension, creating an atmosphere of “us versus them”.

We hereby submit videos and social media post that are cause for grave concern and ask that the commission investigate and where necessary, sanction those persons and or organisations that are guilty of engaging in creating an atmosphere or racial intolerance.

Please find attached supporting video attached and links below. https://www.facebook.c om/247435802657338/post s/663943801006534/?sfnsn =mo&d=n&vh=e https://www.facebook.c om/1031107697/posts/1021 9672990708569/?funlid=Th vsHlx0PtHMcomJ”

PAGE 4

Friday March 13, 2020

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

The way forward All along we at this publication have taken the time and spent the energy to articulate one essential thing repeatedly: respect for the process, respect for the result, respect for each other. Others did share that position or, at least, did pay public lip service to what we have hammered home incessantly.

Now, with the ruling of the acting Chief Justice comes the final test of the strength and genuineness of this respect appealed for, demanded by circumstances, and absolutely non-negotiable to enable us to go forward as a nation with some semblance of a common destiny.

The hour of reckoning is here and literally. We take this position: let it not be a conflicted process leading to an inconclusive and unaccepted culmination of what has already drained and damaged us, perhaps irreparably.

Let this next step, this arrived at and wished for final step in yet another tiring and troubling chapter in our electoral history not be challenged and endlessly drawn out for narrow partisan purposes, for the feeding of self-serving ambitions and objectives.

This country, the many peoples of this society, cannot absorb the uninterrupted tensing and tightening. It is not constructed to review and then reel from over and over again in those dark and stormy places the issues of who should have won, who may be cheating, and who is left holding the Pandora Box of calamities that would surely come raining down on the heads of every community and cranny of this country.

It is that cluster of conflicts now unboxed and unleashed that would descend upon agitated and acrimonious citizens, who are asked again, who are pushed again, and who are pressured again to be a part of the growing ugliness and intensifying barbarities that raise their heads and threaten to run amok.

Instead of what may be claimed, but not really be believed, to have been tampered with or gone wrong, let there be an end to the ceaseless bickering, the continuous wasting of energies, and the sapping of resolve for what is positive, and what must be brought to a conclusive finale.

The world is not waiting on us, but rushing past us. It flies before us with the most frightening of countenances, through a virus now declared a “global pandemic’ by no less an authoritative body than the World Health Organization.

This same world of such unforgiving structures and conventions--indeed, realities--of commodities and market forces and prices now leave us questioning our greed, our selfishness, and our lack of the necessary understandings of the world bequeathed to us and which we now inhabit.

We have conditioned ourselves and brainwashed ourselves that the rewards must come now and come lavishly. Well the market numbers are there of the oil numbers, and those are not to be disputed and challenged, at least temporarily and before the considerations of those who still think in the local arena. It makes moot, in the short run for starters, the priorities that drive us over the walls of our own making and leave us hanging by the thumbnails to rue the follies of our uncomprehending ways.

The issues are there in the awful finality of the inarguable: what are we fighting about so furiously, when it loses value to the point of having no current financial utility for us? Why do we curse our blessings in these ways and render ourselves poorer than we were before?

If what is devastating global oil markets register some degree of sustained hold on bottoming prices, then the Exxon(s) of Guyana’s oil universe may find it necessary, as a matter of sound business practices, to pause production.

The market dynamics and geopolitical dynamics may combine to defeat us, and all the while we still squabble and clash over tabulating and who that leaves behind.

The political people have invested, or gambled, much on the elections 2020. The regular people in the trenches have pawned heart and soul for the promises guaranteed in their minds. Do we have a fallback option for the next several years should our calculations prove infeasible?

Today we count, the hope is that tomorrow we do not cry. Respect (or otherwise) will be proven by our reaction(s).

We have two viruses to overcome DEAR EDITOR, I think that, given our political obsessions, what I share today may trigger dismissal and indifference on the part of most citizens. But the fact is that COVID-19 is now here, with one fatality confirmed. I am hoping that, because of our limitations, this will prompt one and all to refocus and reprioritise what matters higher (at least to me), which are health and wellbeing. Because if those are not present, then all the rest of our efforts are diminished, our best intentions mean nothing.

What was, and still is, a serious and growing global concern, is now here with us in Guyana. This is not exaggeration or misinformation, but the reality of what has come.

With that reality comes another: we may say that we are prepared, but are we ready enough and equipped enough to deal with this still unmanageable plague?

I would hope so after all the robust assurances. I would hope also that our leaders would understand that, with this health development, the fixations and follies over things

electoral should be relegated to the far backburner.

As I pen this, I recognise that this appeal is going nowhere. It is but another illustration of how far we have gone down the road that consumes, in our failure to appreciate that there are bigger things and more important things than elections.

That said, our political leaders, no exceptions, must be in the vanguard of confronting this issue that now faces us in a concerted manner.

Let there be a moratorium, leaders must lead by example in bringing a halt to the sniping, kneecapping, and backstabbing that now prevails.

The New York Times in an analysis dated March 11, informed the world of, “A fumbled global response to the virus in leadership void.” The title alone tells the story of m a n y w ords and less leadership.

And, as if to confirm, the Wall Street Journal in its editorial of March 11, spoke towards, “The virus and leadership.” As the contents

indicated, there was the usual political dustup from the top, while the disease ballooned and spilled; this one resisted being tweeted away. I would trust that we would succeed in overcoming our leadership deficits across the political spectrum here and join hands to combat this scourge that now menaces.

To be clear, there is no panic button that needs to be pressed. This is merely one of my usual calls for the greater commonsense of vigilance and corresponding protective action.

One of such would be for all political leaders to insist, if not demand, that their supporters do not crowd public spaces, as the probability for contamination becomes geometric. May good sense take over.

International news coverage keeps the concerns front and centre, with the psychological pressures ratcheted up on countries and citizens. In Guyana, the word from the nation’s health stewards is that we are prepared and ready. That is partially comforting for the limited road it covers, now that one has died. The hope is that there will be no more developments that put those

claims to any kind of test, given our struggling, still improving health care system.

The updates from the most prestigious health agency around, the WHO, has deteriorated along a steep trajectory that went from the guarded to the sounding of one alarm after another, with the final declaration that it is officially a pandemic. Now that it is officially recognised as a pandemic, which instills fear in countries far more advanced than Guyana, I pray that we will get some sense, and that we will adjust accordingly.

The instance of Iran should stand as a special example for us, as it is considered to be at a geographical and commercial crossroads, and with the voluminous human traffic that comes with those. As a New York Times article pointed out, “Religious pilgrims, migrant workers, businessmen, soldiers and clerics all flow constantly across Iran’s frontiers, often crossing into countries with few border controls, weak and ineffective governments and fragile health systems.”

(Continued on page 6)

More than Oil Money DEAR EDITOR, As a Guyanese citizen, I was disappointed to see the New York Times’ coverage (March 6, 2020) of the political crisis in Guyana. Anatoly Kurmanaev’s article “Crisis Deepens in Tiny Guyana, the World’s Newest Petro State” spoke of “ethnic violence” that threatens foreign investment and petrol revenue.

I would like to point out that it is not only billions of dollars at stake, but rather the welfare of Guyanese people.

Kurmanaev’s focus on the billions of dollars in oil money that is “at stake”, fails to consider the people or the history that has led to the current unrest.

The narrative he presents about Guyana and Guyanese is simple-minded, othering and disrespectful.

Historically, such racist narratives have been used to justify toxic paternalist intervention by the Global North in countries in the Global South, such as Guyana.

Kurmanaev’s article makes clear his focus is the potential loss of foreign investments with no interest in the lives of those in Guyana. His article frames the existing civil tension in Guyana as a “wave of ethnic violence” in a “tiny” country

comprised primarily of Afro and Indo-Guyanese, and positions these two dominant racialised groups and their affiliated political parties as Guyana’s main barrier to oil wealth.

As a Guyanese national, I argue that it is not billions of dollars that is at stake, but rather the welfare of Guyanese people and peace and trust among the various racialised groups. Guyana’s recent status as “the World’s Newest Petro State” does not obliterate the past, nor is it the root cause of the current tensions. The framing in the referenced article fails to acknowledge that the existing racialised tension in Guyana is historical. Even a small attempt at research would contextualise the complexity of the current situation and the decisions of the populations within.

Guyanese across racial groups are hurting, not because they foresee being denied access to oil money, but as a result of acts of violence they experience at the hands of their neighbours, friends, family and political leaders.

Many, if not most, Guyanese carry scars, pains and fears that have roots in a history of racist ideologies that facilitated: European’s genocide of Indigenous populations, enslavement of

Africans and severe exploitation of indentured labourers, and the systematically inherited and unaddressed internalised racist prejudices that underline which racialised group is appropriate to govern.

Coupled with this is our political “leaders” desire to co-opt power by any means necessary through compromised electoral processes.

Narratives such as Kurmanaev’s contribute to paternalistic justifications about the Global North countries’ intervention in the lives and spaces of brown and black people, and further undermine the work that Guyanese need to do to address issues of poverty and development, democracy, corruption and sovereignty, and freedom and security.

Kurmanaev’s article also omits the fact that there are legal structures in place in Guyana to address these unfolding challenges. The struggle to alleviate racial tensions and to bring peace is ongoing in Guyana. There are state and local organisations across the country working to quell and counter pain and fear inherited from exploitations and violence by past political parties and the colonialist history across racial divides.

These organisations and groups are aware that all Guyanese should be able to share in the governance of wealth - whether economic, social or psychological - and to trust the political system to be fair and just in managing any amount of wealth the country generates.

The way we tell this story matters. Presenting ethnic rivalries as a natural feature of poor, ”tiny” countries perpetuates racism and neocolonial mentalities. To understand this crisis, we must consider the foundations of these tensions.

Omitting this background makes the article both inaccurate and dangerous. It obscures the work being done to secure better governance in the region, and it risks promoting interventions that will protect profits before protecting people.

I suggest that, in the future, journalists should remember their responsibility to minimising harm through their reporting, instead of contributing to narratives that may harm other peoples, and obscuring contextualised realities.

Thank you, Pere DeRoy, PhD Student Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies The University of Kansas

Friday March 13, 2020

PAGE 5

Kaieteur News

Elections in Guyana - Comedy of Errors or Circus of Terrors?

DEAR EDITOR, Count me in as one of the bona fide Guyanese who was glad to know that the elections to decide who governs Guyana took place on March 2, and even happier to know that a team of observers (Organization of American States) headed by former Prime Minister of Jamaica, Bruce Golding was also on the ground to ensure that the elections were free and fair.

Former Barbados Prime Minister, Owen Arthur, is heading the Commonwealth Observer team. In place, were all the elements to ensure that there would be no element(s) of recurrence of the past — accusations of riggings, fraud, loud shouting and foul mouthing as was the case in the previous election of 2015.

The PPP had ruled since 1992, and Afro-Guyanese complained that they were being marginalised. The Coalition of the APNU/AFC campaigned to break that hegemony.

Additionally, on an invitation from the Guyana Government, The Carter Center, an Atlanta-based notfor-profit, non-governmental organisation guided by a fundamental commitment to human rights launched an election observation mission to also observe the March 2 general election.

The mission would observe and examine key aspects of the electoral process, including the preelectoral environment, status of the Guyana Elections Commission’s preparations for elections, and campaigning.

The Carter Center would also follow the post-election process, including the tabulation of results and resolution of any legal

disputes. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings, in a letter dated November 20, 2019, wrote to the Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, inviting CARICOM to mount an Election Observation Mission to observe the elections.

On an ironical note, Prime Minister of Grenada, Keith Mitchell, part of the team of regional prime ministers accompanying the Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) attempting to “bring some semblance of peace and order to Guyana at this particular time,” reminded reporters in 1997 that he was part of a similar undertaking while he was chairman of CARICOM. Here we are more than one week later, a country a mere 83,574 square miles, that has long been one of the poorest countries in South America, still hand tallying general elections, on the verge of an oil explosion aimed at transforming the economy, and yet unable to conduct and complete a election process even in the face of so many high level diplomats and foreign observers being summoned to become inside onlookers.

Like an ill-mannered, growth-stunted miscreant known for impish traits, Guyana has to be under ever watchful eyes, poised to intervene at the first sign of misconduct. Needless to say, while the country may have gained notoriety because of the oil discovery, we have certainly put ourselves in the news on account of our blatant and rapidly-spreading dysfunctionality.

In the tallying of the

results of the votes of March 2, diplomats and foreign observers described credible evidence of fraud. Such a statement is a damning indictment to the myriad of people commissioned to overlook the process.

The current post-election sequel has openly demonstrated that Guyana has long been operating in the shadow of ethnicity politics. Perhaps, predictably this particular election has raised the stakes of an already - divided nation, and drawn new battle lines, with both groups eager to control oil revenue. Plainly put —— Who will control the spoils of the oil?—Will it be the PPP or the PNC—This we must patiently wait and see.

Experience has shown that most people’s votes are based on their biases and not on objective reality.

The electoral process is still incomplete, as an injunction was filed by a supporter of the main o p p o s i t i o n People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) to block the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) from declaring results. On March 11, Acting Chief Justice Roxane George ruled that the declaration of the unverified results for Region Four (Demerara/ Mahaica) by Clairmont Mingo, Returning Officer was unlawful as it was in total violation of Section 84 (1) of the Representation of the People’s Act. According to the Chief Justice, the declaration made

by the Returning Officer is null, void and has no effect.

As a consequence, the Returning Officer was ordered to commence compliance deciding on whether the verification process will be restarted or resumed. She further ruled that GECOM cannot lawfully declare the 2020 election results, both General and Regional, until the Returning Officer is in full compliance with the provisions in force.

While the nation awaits its political fate, there are several factors, which must be addressed. Why can Guyanese not complete the electoral process without unrest? What a shame! Every election, the behaviour is the same.

Most of the current shenanigans are déjà vu for the majority of Guyanese.

As Guyanese ruminate on how the oil will make the country great, let’s get this fact straight on every Guyanese slate—Elections determine who goes into power, but will never determine how the power is used.

So let us await the results before we start to shout, and hope that the new leader will have as his goal not only to lead the country, but to unite the nation as a whole.

Y. Sam

A national response is needed DEAR EDITOR, Guyana has recorded its first death due to the Coronavirus - COVID-19 - and from all appearances, we are scrambling to put systems in place, as we are unprepared.

The advisory from the Ministry of Public Health not

to go to the hospital if experiencing symptoms of this deadly disease, but to call some numbers for a house visit, tells how unprepared we are. This is a national dilemma and requires a national response to stop the escalation as being experienced in other countries.

Shamshun Mohamed

When will international aircraft arrivals be suspended here?

DEAR EDITOR, While there is no question that the coronavirus is a crisis situation for even the developed countries, I am extremely upset that as the Trump administration is now doing in respect to limiting traffic from Europe, we have not also done this with the rest of the world, as outrageous as this may be.

It should be obvious that this virus is not to be trifled with, and it is extremely contagious. The recent local death attributed to the coronavirus has nevertheless raised one single question: If this person came from New

York, why did she think that she would get the best care from the Georgetown Hospital?

If this story is true, as outrageous as it seems, there are a host of contact cases with the victim to consider: 1.

Contact with passengers and flight attendants 2.

Contact with immigration officials 3. Contact with family members 4. Contact with friends 5. Contact with persons (including money) on the way to the hospital 6. Contact with medical (Continued on page 6)

PAGE 6

Why line up for COVID-19 and not Silicosis, E. coli and other pathogens?

DEAR EDITOR, I view with amazement the long line up at pharmacies, hardware stores and outlets for masks and sanitizer. While I refrain from such a hysteria, I am left to wonder why the level of awareness for risk of infectious diseases that we are exposed to on a daily basis have not been raised.

While the fad of wearing a mask has just begun at the announcement of the first death in Guyana caused by COVID-19 (Coronavirus), I wish to bring to your attention the threat of other serious diseases.

For years the health of commuters, residents and those at large has been compromised by construction dust, garbage truck droppings, faeces from horses, dogs, sputum mixed with sand (Silica) deposited on the roadways by sand trucks, horse carts and

animals as they move on the roadways.

The sand may cause Pneumoconiosis, a group of lung diseases that is caused by breathing in insoluble dusts, mostly mineral dusts, that the lungs can’t get rid of.

The most common diseases in this group are silicosis, coal miners’ pneumoconiosis and asbestosis. Silicosis is caused by inhaling crystalline silica (quartz) dust, commonly referred to as sand.

Each day we travel through plumes of silicate mixed with harmful bacteria such as E. coli and other pathogens, on our way to work. 98% of construction sites flout EPA laws governing the handling, disposal and containment of harmful dust all over this city of Georgetown and the rest of the country as a whole, yet

they haven’t lined up for masks.

Many have died and the cause of death listed as pneumonia. I suggest we continue to line up even after this Coronavirus scare.

While we stampede to enrich the pharmaceutical industries and boost the sales of pharmacies, we must ensure restaurants and vendors in the markets wear gloves and masks forever, as a requirement of their licence to sell.

Don’t just stop at COVID19 (Coronavirus). Make sure our streets are cleared of sand and faeces, if not, at least soaked to prevent being

airborne. The monitoring and supervision of all construction sites to ensure dust blinds are installed.

As for COVID-19, we live near the equator and the chance of it being an epidemic here is slim.

The necessary sanitary precautions of washing hands along with the elements of cleanliness should prevail. A diet to boost your immune system is necessary to prevent infection. Pay attention to medical advisories. Don’t just run to pharmacies for masks.

Sincerely, Louis Nestor

A big thank you...

DEAR EDITOR, I would like to say a big thank you to both Stabroek News and Kaieteur News for their impartiality in reporting on issues. Keep up the good

work, guys and girls.

I hope that you will hold both the Government and Opposition accountable.

Yours faithfully, Sean Ori

We have two viruses to overcome...

From page 4 Some, if not all three, of those enfeebling natural and official

Friday March 13, 2020

Kaieteur News

barriers compare well with Guyana, which could render our defensive efforts porous.

I recommend that this issue be prioritised going forward in the media; it is neither

secondary nor momentary, and all the stops need to be pulled out. This supersedes elections. None may wish to hear that, or agree with it, but it is where I stand.

As we fight over elections, we are most vulnerable, and I don’t care what any political figure or authority says to the contrary.

Our ongoing problem is that we have our own raging homegrown virus to deal with at the local level: it is called elections, and though not exportable, it is worse. It is all ours to grapple with, and I fear that on both counts coronavirus, and elections we are looking uphill.

My closing thought and wish is that this virus, however minimal, would sweep elections from public attention. I recognise that is not going to gain any reception.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Reasons why no one wants a perceived dictatorship DEAR EDITOR, It’s important to have a very clear message sent to those that are tempted to succumb to greed and unlawful power-taking. Let’s answer the simple question of what’s next?

After any President who is perceived as a dictator, and his comrades take unlawful control of an ethnically divided country this is what is to be expected: Economic sanctions will follow while the opposition simultaneously strengthens its ties to the governments of the free world. The government will then realign with allies who are in similar sanctions. The government actors’ assets will be frozen, and illegal drugs and other contraband routes will start to close. Oil funds will lose significance and economic sanctions will increase, while the country’s debt increases and its credit rating deteriorates.

Investors from the free world will withdraw while the government brings investors from other countries experiencing similar sanctions. Internal selfsufficiency will also be accelerated due to increased difficulty to trade.

If not quickly achieved or pursued, local poverty increases as well as diseases and illness. The external and internal propaganda continues to increase to drive regime change.

The frequency of covert and overt internal rebellion increases.

Territorial challenges reemerge due to internal weakness.

Supporters of the regime start to also rebel, then the government starts to shift its policies via new leadership and eventually fair elections are held and the opposition wins. Sanctions are lifted, but oil assets are now significantly reduced in value.

The country is worse off than it is today.

Foreigners and remigrants re-enter and aggressively buy up assets at a discount. Local resentment for the past government grows and they are never re-elected due to a legacy that is worse than their historical performance from when this happened before.

Rebuilding occurs and the new majority ethnicity unity party never relinquishes power due to the fear of a repeat dictatorship.

Given that the APNU + AFC government is at risk of painting itself into a corner where they may gain some years in power, they run the risk of eventually losing power forever. Two key options remain that can salvage this avoidable situation (assuming that a one Guyana policy is maintained): 1. The electoral process of today is followed as required without adding doubt and lack of transparency.

2. An ethnic unity government is formed which is united yet separate, and all resources are used based on the percentage support of the population base.

There is no need for Guyana to envy the current situation in Venezuela nor is there reason to create a legacy similar to that of Brazil’s military coup d’état era.

If you would like my help to achieve an unbiased arbitration of the negotiations to help ensure that both a good zone of possible agreement is established and a win-win outcome is achieved, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely, Mr. Changlee Chairman The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana

When will international...

From page 5 and other personnel at the hospital.

Sorry to say, but this is the height of ignominy. When will the government close air traffic to the rest of the world?

Several Caribbean islands have also registered cases, meaning exposure of immigration officials etc, to these persons.

I reiterate, the world is unhappy with the direction of this situation, as stocks are tumbling and governments are scrambling to craft budgets to respond to combat the coronavirus as well as shore up the anticipated decline in economic activity.

Regards, Craig Sylvester

Friday March 13, 2020

Granger tells CARICOM, OAS elections were lawful

President David Granger meets with Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Ambassador Irwin LaRocque at the Ministry of the Presidency.

P

resident David Granger met with Sec retary-General of the Caribbean Com munity (CARICOM) Ambassador Irwin LaRocque and representatives of the Organization of the American States (OAS) at the Ministry of the Presidency, yesterday.

President Granger, during his briefing, iterated that the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections were orderly, and in full compliance with the law and the Constitution.

The Head of State reminded that GECOM is a Constitutional body and it is unlawful for the Executive to interfere in

PAGE 7

Kaieteur News

the operations of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). The President said also that it is not the role of the Executive to interfere in the work of the Commission.

The President has not acted unlawfully. ”We are awaiting the final declaration from GECOM,” President Granger said.

The President has briefed also Commonwealth Secretary-General Baroness Patricia Scotland and Chairman of CARICOM, Mia Mottley via telephone.

On Wednesday, the Heads of State briefed diplomats from Britain, the United States of America, Canada and the European Union.

Coronavirus victim was briefly attended to at Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital

The woman who has been recorded as Guyana first case of the coronavirus, was briefly attended to at the privately-operated Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital.

The hospital in a statement said that the patient was brought in by attendants and was examined by a doctor in its triage area.

It was revealed that the doctor, after asking background questions and observing symptoms consistent with the coronavirus, immediately advised that the patient be taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation [GPHC] since an accurate diagnosis could not have been offered.

This was in light of the fact that no test kits for the virus was available.The patient, Ratna Baboolall, who travelled from the United States to Guyana over the weekend, was rushed to the GPHC with shortness of breath on Tuesday and succumbed Wednesday morning.

The Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital has assured that all persons who may have been in contact with the patient have been quarantined.

Among those quaran-

Dead: Ratna Baboolall

tined, the hospital said, are “the doctor who saw the patient, the nurses, and the attendants”.

According to the statement, the private hospital is “complying fully with the guidance being provided by

the Ministry of Public Health [since Wednesday] and is advising all of its patients to stay at home if they have the symptoms suggestive of COVID- 19 and to call the hotlines 227-4986 or 624-3067 [for more information].”

PAGE 8

Kaieteur News

US warns Guyana of consequences

The US is taking a tough stance on the elections developments in Guyana. Yesterday it hinted at sanctions.

“Under U.S. law and practice, those who participate and benefit from electoral fraud, undermine democratic institutions and impede a peaceful transition of power can be subject to a variety of consequences,” says Assistant Secretary (ag) for U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Michael Kozak, in Twitter posts.

The warnings came after a landmark court ruling on Wednesday following a challenge to the Region Four results in the recent general and regional elections held on March 2 by a citizen.

The Opposition, local and international community, and several countries, have been calling on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to follow procedures as outlined in the laws.The issue of “consequences” has been a real fear with the US in the past revoking visas for officials in other countries, among other actions.

Yesterday, Kozak made it clear that the US is paying

Friday March 13, 2020

EU observers want to examine SoPs that Mingo used to prepare spreadsheet

- says ‘de facto’ regimes will not receive same treatment as democratically elected ones Sanctions?

- US Assistant Secretary, Michael Kozak

The EU has written GECOM’s Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, asking to help verify Region Four’s SoPs.

close attention to the electoral tabulation process for Region Four. “We join the Guyanese people and the international community in calling for Guyanese election authorities to follow accepted procedures and allow international election observers to verify the results.”

He said that it is essential

that the High Court-mandated elections tabulation in Guyana be concluded in a free, fair, and transparent manner.The US official made it clear that it will not treat an illegal government as normal rather “de facto regimes do not receive the same treatment from us as democratically elected governments”.

The European Union Election Observation Mission wants to play a role in helping to verify the Statements of Polls for Region Four.The request was made yesterday by the mission to Clairmont Mingo, Returning Officer of Region Four, Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The request came as criticisms were raised in some quarters over the increasing raised voices of the observers’ mission.

At least one GECOM Commissioner, Vincent Alexander, believes that overseas actors should not be interfering.

However, Alexander Matus, Deputy Chief Observer, of the Mission, in his letter to Mingo, indicated

interest in examining SoPs. “Pursuant to Section 4 (1) and (3) of the General Elections (Observers) Act, as well as Section 6,7, 8 and 9 of the Administrative Arrangement between the Delegation of the European Union in Guyana and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, I am hereby requesting to examine the Statement of Polls based on which you have prepared the spreadsheet of results before the ascertainment of results for Region Four is completed,” the letter of request said.

The EU would have fielded one of the biggest overseas mission for the March 2 elections, hailed as

the one of the most critical in the history of Guyana.

At stakes for the incoming government is the control of the oil and gas sector.

The Coalition, led by the incumbent President, David Granger, believes it has won.

So does the main Opposition- the People’s Progressive Party/Civic.

It has been 12 days now since the elections with laws requiring a 15-day deadline for the announcement of results.

There has not been any because of challenges to Region Four. Regions One to Ten, excluding Region Four, have been announced with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, which lost in 2015, in a lead with over 50,000.

Vagrant murder charge discharged against Bourda man Devon Johnson, 24, of Cummings Street, Bourda, Georgetown, who was on remand for the murder of two vagrants killed hours apart on Regent Street, yesterday had one of the murder charges discharged against him due to insufficient evidence.

The preliminary inquiry (PI) for the murder of Andrew Benjamin, called ‘SpongeBob’, was conducted by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Three weeks after the PI commenced, after a psychiatrist deemed Johnson fit to stand trial for the murders, Chief Magistrate McLennan yesterday ruled that there is insufficient evidence against the defendant for the murder of Benjamin. As such, she discharged the matter against Johnson.

However, Johnson is still facing another murder charge for another vagrant. That preliminary inquiry will be conducted by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly.

Johnson made his first court appearance on December 4, 2019, before the Chief Magistrate when the two indictable charges were read to him. The first charge stated that on November 11, 2019, at Regent Street, Georgetown, he murdered Andrew Benjamin.

The second charge alleged that on the same date and at the same location, he murdered Raymond Samaroo.

According to information, on the day in question, around 02:30hrs, Benjamin was asleep on the pavement when Johnson, who

Devon Johnson was armed with a knife, approached him and dealt him several stabs about his body before making good his escape.

Benjamin was discovered lying in a pool of blood at the junction of Regent and Light Streets, Georgetown. Later that day, about 21:30hrs, Samaroo was standing on the pavement by Household Plus when Johnson approached him, whipped out a knife and dealt him several stabs before making good his escape.When the defendant was arrested, it was reported that he is mentally unsound.

However, based on advice from the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) the defendant was charged for murder.

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

Friday March 13, 2020

The declared results have to be in accordance with the Statements of Poll We have some supermen and superwomen in this country. They actually believe that they can defy international opinion and resist established democratic norms.

They are woefully mistaken and misguided. Not even their friends in the Caribbean Community can save them. In fact, even these friends are clear that the results of the elections must be arrived at through a transparent process.

The international community is watching. It has made it crystal clear that cheating will not be tolerated. They have reiterated that the process of tabulating the results for District Four must be transparent.

The Representation of the People Act provides for such transparency. Section 84(1) of the Act requires that tabulations be based on the Statements of Poll. The Returning Officer can use whatever sheet he or she wants – but the basis of the numbers on that sheet has to be the numbers on the Statements of Poll.

The Section provides:..the retuning officer shall in the presence of such persons entitled under Section 86(1) to be present

as attend, ascertain the total votes cast in favour of each list in the district by adding the votes recorded in favour of the list in accordance with the Statements of Polls.

The law is unambiguous that the results have to be in accordance with the Statements of Polls.

The Chief Justice, in her oral decision, is reported to have called for a transparent process for declaring the results. In her written Orders, she made reference on more than one occasion for the need for compliance with both the letter and spirit of the Representation of the People Act. What is so hard about that to understand?

The international community is being very restrained.

It is fully aware of who won the elections and therefore who is entitled to lead the nation for the next five years.

Those who feel that they can hijack the elections and get away with are living in the past. They may have been able to do that in the past but not today. The world has become less tolerant of autocrats. The international community will not stand idly by and allow the elections to be stolen.

What happened in 1968, 1973, 1980 (referendum) and 1985 is not going to be repeated without dire consequences. No government emerging from rigged elections is going to be recognised by the international community. That government is going to be isolated and that will inflict grave hardships on the people.

The government is operating on the basis that once GECOM says it wins, then that is final. It will not be final unless the process is transparent.

Yesterday, the Acting Assistant Secretary for U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Michael G. Kozak, made it quite clear that the elections tabulations must be concluded in a transparent manner. He warned that under U.S. law those who participate and benefit from electoral fraud, undermine democratic institutions and impede a peaceful transition of power can be subject to a variety of consequences. De facto regimes, he said, do not receive the same treatment from us as democratically elected governments.

What we are witnessing in

Guyana right now is a brazen attempt to steal the elections.

That sort of criminal conduct has no place in the modern era as some illegitimate regimes have found out not to their liking. Those who aid and abet in stealing elections are not going to escape international sanctions.

But more importantly is the example which is being set for this country. Instead of putting Guyana’s sordid electoral past behind, there seems to be concerted efforts to resurrect the practice of electoral fraud and foist and illegitimate government on the

people.

In the meantime, the same old suspects have renewed their call for power sharing. It is interesting that despite the closeness of the results of the 2015 elections, this call was not made but it is being made now.But how can there be power sharing in the context of the refusal to respect the democratic will of the people?

Before power sharing can be contemplated, there must be a legitimate government in place. And the only way for this to happen is for the elections results to be decided by a transparent process which

meets international standards and is not determined by the arbitrary actions of any one individual.

Guyana is being shamed in front of the international community. And all because the losers of the elections – and they know who they are – feel that they can get away with cheating.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)

PAGE 10

Kaieteur News

Friday March 13, 2020

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Questions maybe Messrs Bhagwan and Kwayana may never answer It came as quite a surprise to me to see Dr. Nigel Westmaas, Moses Bhagwan and Eusi Kwayana, three admirable WPA fighters for democracy in the 1970s writing on the election impasse.

I would never have imagined that they still would want to make their views public because I felt they essentially had retired from activism except for a letter joined by Andaiye a year ago on how the government handled the sugar industry .

I also came to this conclusion based on the complete absence of any public comment they have made about nightmarish use of state power since 2015. Messrs Kwayana and Bhagwan are in advanced age. Eusi is 95, Moses is 88. I honestly felt that with those years, behind them, they have earned their entitlement to carry on their lives without having to endure the nervousness that characterizes living in Guyana.

A few days ago, Guyanese saw an important statement by these two elderly states-

men that was set against the backdrop of the current crisis, advocating power-sharing.

One is compelled to ask Kwayana and Bhagwan if they didn’t see an aggravation process taking place since 2015 in the corridors of power that made power-sharing possibilities more difficult to discuss and ironically made the power-sharing narrative more exigent.

I have virtually unlimited respect and sacred embrace for Eusi and Moses but I am wondering out loudly on two thing that are tearing away at my patience – where were their pen and voice since 2015 and why because of that long absence from critical thoughts on Guyana they think their message will receive embrace without questioning?There can hardly be any dispute in my opinion that the most gifted opportunity for putting power-sharing advocacy in the air were the results of the 2015 election results. It was almost a tie. One can say seriously, it was a tie. The margin of vic-

tory for APNU+AFC was zero point three percent.

Brothers Kwayana and Bhagwan missed a priceless occasion to use 2015 and 2016 to keep the power-sharing narrative alive. Why they did not?

I want readers to avoid any misunderstanding of my position. I support the birth of power-sharing talks right now. After the March 4 fiasco at GECOM, there is no other way for Guyana.

But here is my incontrovertible point. Those who want power-sharing for one reason or the other failed to preserve its advocacy throughout the five year tenure of the APNU+AFC. Nationalists like Kwayana and Bhagwan had to see the moral urgency in their praxis to call for some arrangement of either power-sharing or inclusive governance.

The post 2015 dispensation frowned on both of these directions. Five years passed and not a word from our two esteemed patriots on the disappointing use of power by APNU+AFC. I am not positing that because Kwayana and Bhagwan let the five years pass without sustained arguments for power-sharing, one must view their recent advocacy

with impatience. These two gentlemen are honest souls who have done far more for Guyana than a majority of us alive today. They are simply gigantic Guyanese.

I am wondering out aloud if their blueprint will be embraced by those who felt they were silent on power-sharing when the election results almost produced a tie.

I say in all honesty, those are questions that our two heroes must answer because we deserve to have those answers.

Finally, Nigel Westmaas wrote, he chose sides between the two adversaries.

He opted for ANPU+AFC. How can you call for dissolution of ethnic tensions, race rivalry and power-sharing when you are on the side of one of the antagonists?

Did Nigel see the need for

a third party presence in parliament that can tame power intoxication of the big two? I thank him for his candidness in stating his choice for a winner but knowing Nigel for over 42 years and the way his praxis evolved, my thinking is that he would have seen the shape of the post 2015 dispensation as a continuation of the old political culture and the traditional rivalry between the two big racial/ethnic leviathans.

I conclude not by asking but by being impertinent to demand of Eusi, Moses and Nigel to tell the Guyanese people what are their thoughts on the present physiology of the WPA that all three helped to birth in 1974. They have remained reticent (except for Andaiye who gave me permission to quote that she wanted noth-

Frederick Kissoon ing to do with WPA politics after 2015), on the performance of a party that was in government since 2015 with immense controversies surrounding the deportment of many of the colleagues of Kwayana, Bhagwan and Westmaas who were part of the APNU+AFC regime.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)

Dem boys seh...

Lime, orange and cherry mekking millionaires Dem got a true, true saying, a woman can sit down pon de shelf fuh a long time but as soon as one man tek she off is a whole tribe running to get she.

De same thing happening in dem stores and supermarkets and pharmacies. All de time dem places got things like Lysol, hand sanitisers, Vitamin C tablets and all dem things. Pon de road, people does sit down wid dem lime and orange whole day and hardly mekking a sale.

All it tek to change dem things was fuh one woman dead. Dis woman come from farrin wid de virus. She get sick and dead. When de hospital test, dem find out dat she dead from de coronavirus.

News got a way of travelling in Guyana. It even faster than wireless. From de time de coronavirus confirmation come, people start to flock dem supermarket and all dem places dat selling sanitisers and Lysol. Nobody realize dat people got so much money.

Dem buy out all de Lysol from every store and supermarket. Dem buy out all de hand sanitiser. Nobody coulda finds any Vitamin-C tablets. Dat is how de people tackle dem lime and orange vendors.

Dem boys use to pass dem cherry tree. Cherry ripe and falling down and nobody use to notice. Yesterday de cherry tree look like a senseh fowl. De leaves stick up like de fowl feather. One day de tree red wid cherry; de next

day it green wid leaves.

Is now people know dat dem must tek care of demself. People never use to wash dem hand; now dem gon cause serious problem wid GWI who must provide de water.

But is a sad day when people decide to show no sympathy to dem fellow man. Something dat was selling fuh $1,000 now selling fuh $6,000. Dat can happen because de people paying wid cash and Statia and GRA can’t find de extra money to tax it.

Even toilet paper disappearing and dem boys want know if de coronavirus does cause loose bowels.

Talk half and watch how lime and orange mekking money.

Friday March 13, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Kaieteur News

In wake of first coronavirus case…

Friday March 13, 2020

Caribbean Airlines assures flight safety

F

ollowing Guyana’s announcement of its first coronavirus [COVID-19] case, Caribbean Airlines has assured that the safety, security and good health of its customers and employees is its highest priority.

According to the airline, the victim, 52-year-old Ratna Baboolall, was one of its passenger who travelled from the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York [BW 521] to Piarco International Airport in Trinidad [BW 526] where she in-transited before heading to Guyana on Saturday.

The airline informed, too, that upon learning that the woman tested positive “immediate action was taken” in conformity with established health protocols.

“In accordance with established protocols, the Public Health Authorities have advised that as a precaution, the 13 crew members associated with the flights be placed on selfquarantine for a period of 14 days.

“This was done, and the employees will be assessed and monitored by the Public Health Authorities in keeping with the directives from the Ministry of Health,” the airline said.

The Public Health Authorities, the airline divulged, are also contacting all persons who may possibly have been affected.

It added that its aircraft are cleaned daily at all ports in keeping with industry standards.

Further, it was revealed that additional sanitisation processes were used as outlined by the regulatory authorities.

The airline, said that it remains in close contact with the Public Health Authorities and its operations team has activated contingencies for any impact on its flights.

Caribbean Airlines therefore assures all stakeholders that it continues to actively monitor and respond to the evolving issue to ensure the safety and good health of its customers and employees.

PSC condemns coronavirus-induced price inflation

I

n no uncertain terms, the Private Sector Commission [PSC] is unsupportive of moves by any business to take financial advantage of customers due to the recently confirmed coronavirus case here.

According to the PSC, unverified claims have surfaced in the media of businesses inflating the prices of necessities needed to combat the coronavirus.

Condemning claims of businesses doing such, the PSC in a strongly worded statement made it clear that it “does not condone any attempt to profit from the crisis threatening our country from the coronavirus and condemns all attempts at doing so.”

Since the threat of the virus could induce panic among the general populace, the PSC said that persons should “desist from peddling misinformation, propaganda and fake news to incite unfounded public panic.

“The PSC urges everyone to check first with official channels for information on how best to respond to the presence of the virus in our country and to refrain from sharing uninformed posts on social media.”

According to the PSC, it

noted with grave concern that Guyana recorded its first case of the coronavirus on Wednesday. It also reminded that the Public Health Ministry has activated 24-hour hotline numbers [227-4986 and 624-3067] so that persons can report any suspected case.

Additionally, PSC is urging all citizens to consult UNICEFhttps:// www.unicef.org/p…/unicefstatement-covid-19-outbreak; WHO - https:// w w w. w h o . i n t / … / n o v e l coronavirus-2…/advice-forpublic; which advises persons to “wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezi n g , use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap is not available, maintain social distancing, practice respiratory hygiene and clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using regular househ o l d cleaning sprays or wipes.”

Additional information, the PSC said, can be obtained by following the link: https:// today.caricom.org/

Friday March 13, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Friday March 13, 2020

Coronavirus cancellations: From E3 to the 2020 NBA season, a list of events hit (CNET) - Industries from tech to sports have been rattled by the virus. Here's the growing list of events that have been affected.

The novel coronavirus continues to wreak havoc in industries around the world - from tech and sports to movies and music -- as well as in politics. Many companies have shut factories and banned business-related travel; major cultural institutions l i k e N e w Yo r k ' s Metropolitan Museum of Art have closed; political rallies have been canceled; and major tech industry events like the E3 gaming show, Facebook's F8, the Geneva Motor Show, Google I/O and Mobile World Congress have been called off.

March 11, the same day the WHO declared the outbreak a pandemic, brought news that the NBA will suspend the remainder of its season. Other cultural events like the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival and the Ultra Music Festival in Miami have been postponed.

COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, emerged in the Wuhan region of China's Hubei province late last year and has symptoms similar to those of pneumonia. It was first reported to the World Health Organization on Dec. 31, with Chinese scientists linking the disease to a family of viruses that includes SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome). The disease has killed more than 4,700 people, and more than 127,000 people have been infected around the world.

Here's how the outbreak is affecting some of the biggest names and events in tech, sports and entertainment.

SPORTING EVENTS On March 11, the NBA decided to suspend the rest of the 2019-2020 season after Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus.

Major League Soccer also made the call to suspend the season on March 12 as it "continues to assess the

impact of COVID-19 with its medical task force and public health officials."

Several major Division I conferences in the NCAA, including the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC and American Athletic Conference, said on March 12 that they would cancel their respective conference tournaments this week. The March Madness tournament was also canceled. On March 12, the NHL joined the list of leagues suspending their season. The MLB said it was suspending spring training games and will delay the start of the 2020 regular season by at least two weeks.

The Australian Grand Prix, the first race of the 2020 Formula One season, was canceled after a team member tested positive for the virus.

Officials in Long Beach, California, also called for the cancelation of all large-scale events through April, which includes the city's Grand Prix.

Cultural events and institutions The Metropolitan

Museum of Art in New York said on March 12 that it would temporarily close.

The Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival was pushed back to October, and the Ultra Music Festival in Miami was postponed until next year.

On March 12, Wo n d e r C o n A n a h e i m , which was slated to take place in April, was postponed.

The Kentucky Derby Festival postponed all events through April 4.

T h e Tr i b e c a F i l m Festival, which was slated to take place in April, was postponed after New York banned events with 500 or more people. Broadway theaters also closed on March 12.

Beyond Wonderland SoCal, which was scheduled to take place in March, was postponed until June. EDC Las Vegas is still currently scheduled to take place in May. Patreon will be hosting a live stream on March 18 to support artists affected by canceled concerts and events. Billie Eilish said she's postponing several of her North American tour dates "until further notice," adding that details on the rescheduled dates will be announced soon.

A handful of late-night s h o w s i n N e w Yo r k , including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers, will reportedly halt production until March 30, at the soonest.

THEME PARKS In February, Disney temporarily closed its theme parks in Shanghai and Hong Kong due to the coronavirus.

The move was estimated to cost the company nearly $175 million.

On March 12, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and state public health officials called for canceling or postponing gatherings with 250 or more people until the end of March, as part of an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. The move doesn't apply to situations like school attendance, work or essential public transportation. In a press conference, Newsom said the move doesn't include Disneyland, but Disney later shared an update that the theme park will in fact be closing.

Universal Studios Hollywood will also reportedly close from March

14 to 28. Universal CityWalk will stay open.

POLITICAL EVENTS Democratic presidential candidates Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders canceled rallies leading up to primary elections in several states.

FACEBOOK -Cancelled its F8 developer conference, the company's biggest event of the year at which CEO Mark Zuckerberg updates the world on Facebook's developments and challenges; will hold local gatherings for developers and online events instead.

-Curtailed employee travel to China.

-Cancelled a marketing summit scheduled for early March, which was expected to draw 4,000 people.

-Is giving the WHO free ads in order to provide health information.

-Expects delays in production of its Oculus VR headset.

-Banned ads that promise a coronavirus cure.

-Withdrew from the SXSW festival.

-Announced that a contractor in its Seattle offices has tested positive for coronavirus.

-Reportedly closed its Seattle office until March 9, with employees being encouraged to work from home at least until March 31.

-Will continue to pay hourly workers who can't do their jobs remotely.

APPLE -Said it will miss its quarterly revenue guidance because of the effects of the coronavirus.

-Temporarily shuttered all of its 42 stores in mainland China, one of its biggest and most important markets; closed its corporate offices and contact centers in China.

-Forced to seek alternative sources for parts after suppliers in Wuhan closed because of the outbreak in that city.

-Reportedly warned retail stores that replacements for badly damaged iPhones will be in short supply.

-CEO Tim Cook has given most of his company's global workforce permission to work from home. The company has also reportedly restricted travel to Italy, China and South Korea, and is deep cleaning offices and stores.

-Reportedly confirmed that an employee of its Cork, Ireland campus has tested

positive for COVID-19 and is in isolation.

-Reportedly pulled out of SXSW festival.

-Many Apple retailers in N e w Yo r k C i t y h a d reportedly run out of iPhone 11 devices as of March 6.

GOOGLE -Temporarily closing all its offices in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

-Restricted business travel to China and Hong Kong.

-Told employees with immediate family members returning from China to work from home for at least 14 days.

-Kept European offices open even though an employee in Zurich had been diagnosed with coronavirus.

-Cancelled its Google News Initiative Summit scheduled for late April in Sunnyvale, California.

-Changed annual its cloud conference, which drew 30,000 attendees last year, to a digital-only event.

-Will continue to pay hourly workers who can't do their jobs remotely.

-Cancelled its annual I/O developer conference, which was set to take place May 1214 in Mountain View, California.

-Google is restricting visitors to its offices in New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area, cancelling all in-person job interviews and telling Korean and Japanese employees to work from home, Google confirmed March 9.

-Google announced on March 10 a COVID-19 fund to cover paid sick leave for all temporary staff and vendors globally who have potential coronavirus symptoms or can't come into work because they're quarantined.

-Google confirmed recommending March 10 that all North American employees work from home.

MICROSOFT -Announced it's "recommending" all Seattle, Puget Sound area and San Francisco Bay Area employees who are "in a job that can be done from home should do so through March 25."

-Company president Brad Smith also said it'll continue to pay its hourly campus workers their regular wages even if their work hours are reduced.

-Warned investors that (continued on page 20)

Friday March 13, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

Friday March 13, 2020

Pharmacies, stores inflate prices for anti-bacterial products in face of Coronavirus By: Anastacya Peters

S

everal pharmacies and general stores in the city have inflated the prices on antibacterial products due to the fear of Coronavirus.

Since Guyana recorded its first case of the deadly Coronavirus, a large number of citizens were driven into panic mode and are taking all necessary precautions to protect themselves and their family members.

Last night, about 20:00 hrs, supermarkets, gas stations and some pharmacies were packed with customers who wanted to get their hands on antibacterial products and vitamin C tablets.

While some businesses see it fair to inflate the prices of these products, a large number of customers are complaining about the ridiculous increase, since it is causing a strain on their financial status in their bid to stay healthy.

The most requested items that customers are flocking the stores to purchase are Lysol, Clorox wipes, rubbing alcohol, Dettol products, facemask, hand sanitizer and toilet paper.

Before Guyana confirmed its first Coronavirus case, a 19 oz can of Lysol was sold for $1200. However, after doctors confirmed that the victim died as a result of the

Pharmacy in Georgetown out of anti-bacterial products

The wearing of facemask has begun in the city

Survival Supermarket out of Lysol

Small hand sanitizers being sold for $1000 People flocked a general store for anti-bacterial products

Coronavirus, the price has been drastically increased to $6000.

Prices of all kinds and types of anti-bacterial products are being sold with inflated prices.

This sudden surge in prices for anti-bacterial products has caught the attention of the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC), which in turn issued a

statement stating that the department has received credible information of price gouging on items, which

have been recommended for use to assist in the prevention of the spread of the (continued on page 19)

CJIA intensifies coronavirus prevention measures

A

irport staff at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, in addition to the routine screening of passengers by port health officials, are equipped with gloves and masks while processing passengers.

Agencies also working at the airport have provided gloves and masks for their staff.

Hand sanitizer units have been deployed throughout the terminal building for use both by staff and passengers. Consistent cleaning of rails, countertops and desks is being done with approved disinfectants.

Also, regular spraying of the terminal with Lysol and other approved disinfectants is done.

The airport has also adopted the watch list of 15 countries from where passengers will be flagged before entering the country.

These countries include China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Italy, Iran, France, Germany, Spain, United States of America and Jamaica.

Kaieteur News

Friday March 13, 2020

PAGE 17

Confirmed case of Coronavirus…

Quarantine recommended for more than 12 family members of first victim - self-isolation recommended as test kits dwindle

I

n keeping with safeguards to prevent an outbreak, more than a dozen family members of Guyana's first novel coronavirus [COVID-19] victim are said to have been quarantined. Confirming this state of affairs, yesterday, was Public Relations and Health Promotion Officer within the Ministry of Public Health, Mr. Terrence Esseboom.

Esseboom revealed that officials from both the Public Health Ministry and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation [GPHC] were slated to visit the victim's quarantined family members yesterday.

Fifty-two-year-old Ratna Baboolall, who reportedly arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport from New York on Saturday, was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation on Tuesday from a Good Hope, East Coast Demerara residence with pneumonia-

like symptoms.

Pneumonia or difficulty breathing is one of the symptoms associated with the coronavirus. The virus can also manifest with symptoms including a runny nose, sore throat, cough and fever.

There are reports that suggest that some family members of the dead coronavirus victim have not been strictly adhering to the rules of quarantine. In fact, this publication has heard reports that in wake of the woman's death a close relative, also residing in the US, has been making plans to travel to Guyana.

This development, a public health official told this publication, should be avoided at all cost since “that relative needs to be quarantined just like the others here…The US is a high risk country and we need to stop travel from there.”

A number of health workers who attended to the dead woman have reportedly

been quarantined which could severely impact the local health sector's response.

According to the public health official, while it would not be wise for the country to delve into panic mode, it is imperative that those infected do not put others at risk by failing to accept the importance of being isolated.

Upon the heels of confirmation of a coronavirus case here, a number of persons have been flocking to pharmacies in hopes of securing protective cares, masks, sanitizers and other items to aid hygienic practices.

T h e Wo r l d H e a l t h Organisation [WHO] has advised that persons choose the N95-type facemask if the need arises. Currently, the local public health sector is running low on test kits and therefore preliminary tests of samples may not be possible.

In the meantime, the official said, the best option for persons is to stay at home once

this is possible.

“Do not do public gatherings and avoid unnecessary contact with people; isolate yourself for 14 days minimum. Do not do hand-shakes and do not go to a medical institution unless you have a real reason to do so.”

The official insisted that, “prevention is always better than cure”. Among those most vulnerable to the virus are the elderly and persons with underlying medical conditions.

Speaking about this recently was Chief Medical

Porters at the GPHC sport full protective gear to help protect themselves from the coronavirus

Officer [CMO], Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, who pointed out that, “most of the deaths were among older persons with comorbidities or underlying conditions.”

These conditions, Dr. Persaud said, can put someone at higher risk of developing complications from the coronavirus. Among these, he said, are “things like diabetes, lung problems, some kidney conditions, underlying cardiovascular problems, other infections that may reduce the body's ability to r e s p o n d i n a n

immunosuppressant way, and some medications.

“Smoking has been another factor that has been considered. All these things can reduce your chance of putting up a fight against this virus...,” said the senior health official.

The novel coronavirus first emerged in Wuhan, China, during last year. The virus which has since expanded its reach to more than 50 countries has infected in excess of 100,000 persons and over 4,000 have reportedly died as a result.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

TT confirms first covid19 case

Friday March 13, 2020

Amid COVID-19 outbreak, NBA star Rudy Gobert faces backlash for prank Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz

NEWSDAY - Trinidad and Tobago has confirmed its first positive case of a coronavirus infection.

At a press conference yesterday, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh made the announcement just two

hours after declaring that there were no cases confirmed in the country.

Deyalsingh said at yesterday's post-Cabinet meeting, the first case would have been an imported case.

The patient is a 52-year-

old man who came from Switzerland and started exhibiting symptoms on Wednesday.

Deyalsingh said he immediately put himself in isolation and will be transported to the hospital in Caura. His family is selfquarantining.

Neither Deyalsingh or National Security Minister Stuart Young said whether the patient was a national.

They said only that he resides in TT. TT follows Guyana, Jamaica, St Vincent, Cuba and three other countries which reported confirmed cases in the Caribbean.

(CNN) - The first NBA player to test positive for coronavirus is being criticised for a prank he pulled on members of the media as it could put them theoretically at risk of contracting the illness.

As he was leaving a media event on March 9, AllStar center Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz touched every microphone and recorder in front of him in jest. Gobert, who subsequently tested positive for coronavirus, released a public apology on Instagram on Thursday.

"I have gone through so many emotions since learning of my diagnosis ... mostly fear, anxiety, and embarrassment," wrote Gobert.

"The first and most important thing is I would like to publicly apologize to the people that I may have endangered. At the time, I had no idea I was even

infected. I was careless and make no excuse."

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert touched the microphones and recorders of the media after his March 9 press conference -- two days before he tested positive for coronavirus.

One member of the media who was present when Gobert made the joke later tweeted that he thought the act was "a measure of support for the media."

Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune tweeted: "On the Rudy Gobert microphone incident: at the time, I actually took it as a measure of support for the media.

"We were being told to keep 6-8 feet away from them on the assumption that we might infect a player. I thought it was Rudy thumbing his nose at the separation between us.

"It was obviously reckless, but heck, nearly everyone I know has made a coronavirus distance joke at some point this week."

Before Wednesday's Jazz game, the team announced that Gobert would not play in the game because of an illness.

As the game was about to get underway, the team received test results that a player tested positive for coronavirus and the game

was canceled.

Following Gobert's positive test, the NBA suspended the regular season until further notice.

"We are working closely with the CDC, Oklahoma and Utah state officials and the NBA to determine how to best move forward as we gather more information.

"The individual is currently in the care of health officials in Oklahoma City.

"In coordination with the NBA and state officials, we will provide updates at the appropriate time."

Evan Fournier, a Guard with the Orlando Magic and a friend of Gobert tweeted out that he has been in touch with the Utah Jazz star. "He is doing good man. Let's not panic (sic) everyone. Love you all."

Meanwhile Utah Jazz player Donovan Mitchell has acknowledged admitted that he tested positive for coronavirus.

Mitchell posted the news on his Instagram account.

"We are all learning more about the seriousness of this situation and hopefully people can continue to educate themselves and realise that they need to behave responsibly both for their own health and for the well being of those around them," wrote Mitchell.

Kaieteur News

Friday March 13, 2020

PAGE 19

Crashing Oil Prices Force U.S. Oil Firms To Cut Budgets www.oilprice.com: As oil prices continue to tank amid the oil price war and the coronavirus outbreak, U.S. oil producers are announcing capital spending and dividend cuts by the hour as many of their operations are unsustainable and deep in the red at $30 a barrel WTI Crude.

Apache Corporation said on Thursday it was slashing

its 2020 capital investment plan to $1.0 billion-$1.2 billion from a previous range of $1.6 billion-$1.9 billion.

Apache will also stop pumping oil in the Permian in the coming weeks to limit “exposure to short-cycle oil projects.” The corporation will be reducing activity in the North Sea and Egypt, too.

Not only will Apache reduce operations, but it will

also slash its quarterly dividend per share from $0.25 to $0.025, effective for all dividends payable after March 12, and will use the cash saved to strengthen its financial position.

Murphy Oil Corporation is maintaining its commitment to dividend on Thursday but slashed its capital expenditure plan for 2020 by 35 percent. Murphy

Saudi Arabia to strike at key oil market for Russia

By Tsvetana Paraskova www.oilprice.com : The world's top oil exporter, Saudi Arabia, is going after Russia's oil market share in Europe with deeply discounted Arab Light crude at up to three times the usual volumes, people with knowledge of European refiners' operations told Bloomberg on Thursday.

The Saudis, OPEC's de facto leader and top producer, are aiming to grab market share from Russia in the oil price war it launched on Moscow to punish it for refusing to back deeper OPEC+ production cuts last week.

And Europe is a key battleground in the new oil wars as Russia's Urals crude has traditionally been a popular choice among European refiners.

Saudi Arabia hasn't seen

Europe as a core market in recent years because it has prioritized continuously growing demand in Asian markets. But in the war of market share, the Kingdom is now looking to squeeze Russian oil out of Europe by offering deep discounts which make its Arab Light crude priced at as low as $25 a barrel at Rotterdam, much lower than the price of Urals.

If prices of Urals and other crude grades going into Europe don't drop to match the Saudi discounts, Saudi Arabia is set to “push out” the Urals grade from the r e f i n e r s ' d i e t , E n e rg y Aspects' chief oil analyst Amrita Sen said in a note, as carried by Bloomberg.

The price of Urals has also slumped in recent days, but it needs to drop further to become appealing to European refiners, given the hefty Saudi discounts,

traders told Reuters on Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia has promised to flood the oil market with an extra 2.6 million bpd of oil from April, while its fellow OPEC producer and ally, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), pledged an additional 1 million bpd in supply. This will result in a total increase of 3.6 million bpd in global oil supply from OPEC's heavyweights at a time of depressed oil demand due to the coronavirus outbreak and at a time of crashing oil prices, following the abrupt end to the OPEC+ deal last week.

Russia, for its part, claims it can live with $25 oil for years and says it can raise its oil production by 200,000 bpd to 300,000 bpd in the short term, with a potential for up to a total increase of 500,000 bpd.

Pharmacies, stores inflate prices for anti-bacterial products in face...

From page 16 coronavirus/COVID 19.

The CCAC further stated that while the Commission has no legal standing to regulate market prices, we wish to use moral suasion in our appeal to suppliers to revert to the common prices for the items they are now gouging on.

The CCAC highlights that it is morally wrong to take advantage of consumers during any national emergency, in this case, that of a possible public health crisis.

The CCAC is also appealing with suppliers to put your countrymen/people over excessive profit.

Wo r l d H e a l t h Organization (WHO) recommends washing your hands regularly, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth and keeping surroundings clean by using

disinfecting products.

Yesterday morning, Kaieteur News visited several pharmacies and general stores in the city and the prices for anti-bacterial products were at an alarmingly high rate.

Shoppers were greeted with signs that stated “No anti-bacterial products until further notice.”

In the vicinity of the Stabroek Market, vendors, bus operators and commuters were seen wearing facemasks in order to protect themselves from contacting the deadly virus.

When interviewed, several pharmacists and general store owners stated that the rush for antibacterial products began Wednesday night around 18:30hrs and up to press time, yesterday, was still ongoing.

A vendor selling citrus

fruits in the vicinity of Stabroek Municipal market stated, “Is over five years now since I selling in this market and this is the first time, I get some much sale in less than an hour.

“Wednesday night, I came out with two big bags of limes and oranges and before I could have realised what was happening all my citrus was sold out.”

Last Wednesday, Guyana confirmed its first case of the deadly Coronavirus after the remains of a woman who returned from Queens, New York tested positive for the virus. The woman died at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) We d n e s d a y a r o u n d 08:30hrs.

After the death of the woman, several employees at the city hospital have been quarantined and the hospital sanitised.

Oil will release operated rigs and frac crews in the Eagle Ford, with no operating activity planned for the second half of 2020.

Devon Energy announced on Thursday an immediate decrease in capital spending by nearly 30 percent compared to its previous 2020 capital plan.

Earlier this week, Occidental Petroleum Corporation said it would slash quarterly dividend to $0.11 per share from $0.79 per share, effective July 2020, and significantly reduce capital spending to

between $3.5 billion and $3.7 billion, from $5.2 billion to $5.4 billion, and will implement additional operating and corporate cost reductions.

Chevron is also looking to review its spending plans after the price collapse, the U.S. supermajor told Reuters on Monday, becoming the first oil major to admit it is reviewing CAPEX amid the oil price rout.

Most shale oil wells drilled in the United States are unprofitable at current oil prices, Rystad Energy warned earlier this week.

Commenting on the impact of the oil price plunge o n U . S . s h a l e , Wo o d Mackenzie analysts AnnLouise Hittle, Fraser McKay, Tom Ellacott, and Rob Clarke said on Tuesday: “Because there's no fat left to trim in 2020, the cuts to development activity are necessarily fast and brutal, made possible by tight oil's unique flexibility. The response from explorers and producers in the Lower 48 has been dramatic. Some reduced rig counts even before Monday's markets opened.”

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

Friday March 13, 2020

Coronavirus cancellations: From E3 to...

From page 14 revenue in the business segment that includes its Windows operating system and Surface devices would likely miss earlier forecasts.

TWITTER -On March 11, mandated all employees worldwide to work from home.

-Pulled out of SXSW, where CEO Jack Dorsey was to have given a keynote address.

-Suspended all noncritical business travel and events for employees.

-CEO Jack Dorsey had originally planned to spend a few months in Africa in 2020 but said March 5 that he's reevaluating those plans "in light of COVID-19."

- Tw i t t e r c o n f i r m e d March 6 that its Seattle office had been closed for deep cleaning after an employee was "advised by their doctor that they likely have COVID-19." The employee hasn't been in the office for several weeks.

-Will continue to pay hourly workers who can't do their jobs remotely.

AMAZON -Removed more than 1 million listings for items claiming to cure or defend against the coronavirus, according to a report from Reuters.

-Removed thousands of items from merchants for price gouging.

-Said an employee at its Seattle headquarters has tested positive for SARSCoV-2 and is now in quarantine.

- To l d S e a t t l e a r e a employees to work from home if possible until the end of March.

-Withdrew from SXSW festival.

DELL -Dell has reportedly told attendees of its 2020 tech conference that it's been moved to "a virtual setting" due to coronavirus concerns.

Keynotes and some sessions will be online, according to the note. Dell Technologies World had been scheduled to go from May 4-7 in Las – Ve g a s . D e l l d i d n ' t immediately respond to a request for comment.

TIKTOK -Pulled out of the SXSW festival.

FOXCONN -In early February told its employees not to come back to work at its offices in Shenzhen, China, until further notice.

Plans to have its factories operating at normal capacity by the end of March, according to a report from Bloomberg.

AIRBNB -Will allow guests to cancel reservations without penalty if they've booked in China through April 1.

-Offered a new program

called “More Flexible Reservations” that allows _ravellers to cancel eligible reservations without being charged, and requires hosts to refund the reservation regardless of any previous contracted cancellation policy. Airbnb's service fees for trips booked through June 1 will be refundable with travel coupons.

UBER -Temporarily suspended roughly 240 user accounts in Mexico to prevent the spread of coronavirus after those users had come in contact with two drivers possibly exposed to the virus.

-Announced any driver or Uber Eats delivery person who's diagnosed with COVID-19 or is individually asked to self-isolate by a public health authority will get financial assistance for up to 14 days while the account is on hold.

-When ordering Uber Eats delivery, customers now have the option of leaving a note in the Uber Eats app asking the delivery person to leave the food at the door, rather than have an in-person transaction.

-Created a support team to help public health authorities in their response to the epidemic. The company said this team may temporarily suspend the accounts of riders or drivers confirmed to have

contracted or been exposed to COVID-19.

-Strongly recommended employees to work from home in several countries where the number of COVID-19 cases is increasing, including the US, Canada, Japan, Europe and South Korea. The recommendation extends through April 6.

LYFT -Encouraged employees at its San Francisco headquarters to work from home after one team member was found to be "in contact with someone who was exposed to COVID-19."

-Has partnered with EO Products to distribute more than 200,000 bottles of hand sanitizer and other cleaning supplies to drivers. The company also said in midMarch that it would "provide funds to drivers should they be diagnosed with COVID19 or put under individual quarantine by a public health agency."

TESLA -Closed its new plant in Shanghai for a planned week and a half after the Chinese government told private companies to temporarily cease operations.

-Warned investors that the shutdown may "slightly" affect first-quarter profits.

NINTENDO -Reportedly said production of its popular Switch handset in China was “seeing some impact from the coronavirus.”

IBM -IBM tweeted March 9 it's encouraging employees who live and work in New York City or Westchester County to work from home until further notice if their job permits. Both areas are subject to coronavirus community spread.

SALESFORCE

-Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff on March 5 asked all employees based in Seattle, Kirkland and Bellevue, Washington, to work from home for the entirety of March.

CLOUDFLARE -Cloudflare is offering its Cloudflare for Teams, a suite of security tools, to small businesses affected by the coronavirus for free for six months. It's also helped launch an industry effort, called OpenforBusiness.org, to support small companies.

-The company is letting employees in affected regions work remotely.

CISCO -Cisco is giving governments, health care providers, businesses, educational institutions and nonprofits free use of its Webex collaboration and video calling tools.

T h e telecommunications company is also offering security products like Cisco Umbrella, Duo Security and Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client to remote employees with free trials at no extra charge through July 1.

DISCORD -Discord is easing the limit on its Go Live streaming service from 10 people at a time to 50, so teachers can conduct classes, co-workers can collaborate and groups can meet remotely.

-This will last for “as long as it's critically needed,” CEO Jason Citron said in a blog post. He also warned that demand for the service is likely to surge, and it may suffer performance issues.

T E C H I N D U S T RY EVENTS Several prominent industry events were

canceled or revamped because of concerns over the coronavirus. They include: -E3, the biggest gaming event of the year that was scheduled to open on June 9 in LA. Some exhibitors, including Microsoft and Ubisoft, will hold online events instead.

- M o b i l e Wo r l d Congress, an annual industry gathering that had been scheduled to open on Feb. 24 in Barcelona.

-Facebook's March marketing summit and its F8 developer conference.

-The Geneva Motor Show, one of the largest car shows of the year, after the Swiss government banned all events of 1,000 people or more.

-The annual Adobe Summit in Las Vegas.

Instead the company says some content will be offered online.

-Google I/O, the company's biggest event of the year, where the tech giant announces its newest products and initiatives.

-Chipmaker Nvidia decided to make its GPU Technology Conference, typically held in San Jose and attracting an audience of about 10,000 people, a digital-only event with a webcast planned March 24.

-Snap, the parent company of messaging app Snapchat, has decided to make its annual Snap Partner Summit an online-only event with a keynote scheduled for April 2.

Also, the annual Game Developers Conference, originally scheduled to take place March 16 to 20 in San Francisco, has been postponed to an unspecified date after exhibitors such as Amazon, Microsoft, Epic Games, Sony, EA and Facebook dropped out.

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Friday March 13, 2020

Contempt charge looms over GECOM Chair, CEO, Mingo and Commissioners

Attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall, on behalf of Reeaz Holladar, will make an application to the Chief Justice today at 10:30 am for a contempt charge to be brought before several Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) officials on the grounds that they failed or refused to comply with the order of Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire in her Wednesday ruling.

The Chief Justice had ruled that there was a breach of the law by Returning Officer for Region Four, Clairmont Mingo, and that the declaration he made as a result of the procedural breach was vitiated. As a result, the CJ ordered that Mingo return to the process by 11 am yesterday.

It is this order that the intended application purports that Mingo breached.

The application purports the respondents to be Mingo; Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield; and the Guyana

Elections Commission (GECOM) through its servants and agents, GECOM Chair, Claudette Singh and the three government-nominated Commissioners, Vincent Alexander, Desmond Trotman and Charles Corbin.

It requests an order that the respondents stand committed to the Georgetown Prison or such place or such place of confinement for one month, and a fine of no less than $750,000 for being in contempt of the Court.

Mingo is accused in the document of failing to commence compliance with section 84(1) of the Representation of the People Act by 11 am yesterday. It had been indicated to the press that the process would start by 11. At least one party representative said that the process began minutes past 11 am.

Mingo is also accused of failing and/or refusing to ascertain the votes recorded in favour of each list of candi-

dates in accordance with the statements of poll, “but instead, chose to use a pre-prepared spreadsheet, as the basis for the ascertaining and adding up of the said votes”.

The Chief Justice’s Wednesday ruling had made it clear that the returning officer is free to decide on the method of tabulation for the ascertainment process, even if it is a spreadsheet. However, the contention of several parties, including the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is not with the general use of a spreadsheet, but with the fact that the spreadsheet presented by Mingo yesterday contained tabulations not witnessed by the observers and the election agents.

They indicated that they were not convinced that the source of the numbers on the spreadsheet came from the Statements of Poll.

Further, Sase Gunraj told reporters yesterday that (Continued on page 24)

Public schools remain open The Ministry of Education has advised that no decision has been made to close any public school as a result of the confirmed case of the novel coronavirus here.

The Ministry is urging persons to take the necessary precautions as advised by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention [CDC], the United Nations Children Fund [UNICEF] and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in relation to the virus.

The Ministry, in promising to update the public on this matter, shared a checklist for teachers and other staffers as a precaution, has adopted protocols from the above named agencies to plan and prepare for any infection.

Guided by the checklist, it is expected that efforts will be made to promote and demonstrate regular hand washing and positive hygiene behaviours; ensure adequate, clean and separate toilets for girls and boys; ensure soap and safe water is available at age-appropriate hand washing stations; encourage frequent and thorough washing (at least 20 seconds) and place hand sanitizers in toilets, classrooms, halls, and near exits where possible.

Added to this, it is recommended that efforts be made to clean and disinfect school buildings, classrooms and especially water and sanitation facilities at least once a day, particularly surfaces that are touched by many people (railings, lunch tables, sports equipment, door and window handles, toys, teaching and

- Ministry informs learning aids, etc).

The use of sodium hypochlorite at 0.5% (equivalent 5000ppm) for disinfecting surfaces and 70% ethyl alcohol for disinfection of small items, and ensure appropriate equipment for cleaning staff, is also being urged.

Included, too, is the need to increase airflow and ventilation where climate allows (open windows, use air-conditioning where available, etc.); post signs encouraging good hand and respiratory hygiene practices and to ensure trash is removed daily and disposed of safely.

It is also recommended that sick students are encouraged to stay home and those who fall sick at school should be kept away from healthy students until they are ready to vacate the school premises.Key to help to safeguard the school environs is practice of cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched

surfaces and objects in the classroom.

Meanwhile, parents are also being encouraged to “practice and reinforce good prevention habits with the family; avoid close contact with people who are sick; cover the cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash; wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.”

If a child falls ill at home, parents are also advised to keep him/her at home and contact a healthcare provider.

“Talk with teachers about classroom assignments and activities, which they can do from home to keep up with their schoolwork,” is another recommendation to parents.

‘Scare Them’ brothers get more jail time The crime prone Samaroo brothers of the “Scare Them” family who are well known to the authorities and were recently jailed for crimes committed has been jailed again.

Two of the brothers, Ravindra Samaroo, 29, and Parmanand Samaroo, 25, of Lot 16 Ogleton Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice were charged with robbery under Arms.

They are accused of robbing Cindy Bennons, a doctor on Sunday June 23, 2019 at Smythfield, New Amsterdam, Berbice of one cell phone and a silver band.

They appeared before Magistrate Peter Hugh in the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court. The men after initially pleading not guilty change their plea to guilty and were sentenced to 18 months each.

The two brothers were also sentenced to 18 months each, earlier, on a break and enter and larceny charge.

The Ashmin’s Building serves as the office of the returning officer for Region Four

PAGE 22

Kaieteur News

Friday March 13, 2020

Despite concerns, GRA in full operation mode FOR RENT

SERVICES

FOR SALE

Visa Forms Preparer.

Tel#626-7040, Publish your Death Annoucements & In Memoriams online. Email: dthmemo@gmail.com

1- 8 cu-yds Mack Mixer Truck, 1 CAT 428 Back-Hoe, 1- 1200 gls Spray-kettle, CAT 215 Excavator Spares. Call # 2750367/683-7225

ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.

LEARN TO DRIVE

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Thinking of buying, selling or renting your property? Let’s connect you to clients. Call Demerara Realty Inc. on 2235555 REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIR CONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINE, FREEZER, SALE OF AC’S. TEL#629-4946,225-4822 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer-Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158

N.Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square.Affordable Package.Call#644-5166/6912561/681-2808.

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Business space & living quarter available for rent located @ 76 First Avenue Bartica (From 1500sq ft 8000sq ft) Contact:650-0402/ 603-1402 2 (1) Bedroom apartment fully furnished in Providence EBD. Tel# 672-1906 Contact Paula For Rent, One 3 bedroom house situated at Diamond H/ Scheme. Tel# 699-9005

VEHICLE FOR SALE VACANCY 1 Suzuki Escudo.Excellent condition, Low Mileage Interested in working at a Taxi (50,000Km).$3.4M Neg.Call service as a customer service representative/Dispatcher? #649-0956.

Call #621-9356 Toyota Avenis 2004 GYD$1,650,000 Call: 624-9100 R A Soda Factory, Rosignol Berbice #330-2399/656-7456/ neg 692-2981.

Manager, New Volkswagen Jetta. Tel# Supervisor, Checkers Male & 629-2619 Female workers, Drivers for truck FEMALE DRIVEN REAR CAMERA, NEW BATTERY, Professional Tilers to work NEW TIRES, ALARM $2.3M on the East Coast Demerara.

NISSAN JUKE 2010. #600- Contact #624-4633 6395 Leading Pest Control Company requires 1.Salesperson, 2.Certified Pest Control Operators. Forward resume to shailaya@yahoo.com

WANTED

PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS & SUV'SCALL:643-5122./ 656-0087 WEB: WWW .PROGRESSIVEAUTORENTA L.COM DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL CALL: 225-7126 & 2263693 -DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL@ YAHOO.COM/ W W W . D O L L Y SAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL & TOW TRUCK SERVICE:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE#698-7807.

Higher Level Auto Rental& Marketing Solutions Business Establishment.

Contact # 698-4315 24 hrs Auto Rental

stakeholders in relation to the provision of services during the current political climate and more recently the threat of the coronavirus, it said, “The Authority continues to offer all tax related services at its Headquarters and Integrated Regional Tax Offices (IRTO).”

Further, the GRA advised the general taxpaying public of the due dates for submission and payment of taxes in accordance with the respective due dates.

“Being a Sunday, the due date for Corporate Quarterly Advance Taxes has been extended to Monday, March 16, 2020. For self-employed taxpayers, the due date for Quarterly Taxes is April 1, 2020.

“PAYE taxes and VAT are due on Friday, March 13 and Tuesday, March 24 respectively,” it noted.

Cognizant of the effects which may not allow for taxpayers to meet the respective due dates for payment and filing, the Authority advises too that waiver of interest and penalties will be considered by the Authority on a case by case basis.

Taxpayers are also being encouraged to utilise its efiling services and also its payment relationships with financial institutions. GRA said too, any changes to business hours or services offered will be communicated to all stakeholders in a timely manner.

‘Spoil Child’ remanded to prison for paramour’s murder

Experienced Accounts Clerk/ Payroll. Tel# 231-0363

CAR RENTAL

Neither elections tension nor the threat of the novel coronavirus [COVID-19] will halt the operations of the Guyana Revenue Authority [GRA]. So says the GRA in a statement it shared with the media yesterday.

However, its continued operation is not without precaution.

Moreover the GRA, “…under advise from the Ministry of Health has implemented and will continue to improve the necessary precautions so as to maintain a safe and healthy work environment to both its staff and taxpayers who do business at its various offices.”

Having noted the concerns of its many

1 Bodywork man. Call# 6687033 Wanted able body nanny, live in and out, 44 Barima Ave. #684-4508/690-9811 Minibus Driver for route #42. #640-0626 Wanted Mason, Carpenter and Labourers to work in Georgetown location.

Contact# 231-7260 Contact Hours 9am-4pm 1 Welder to work in the interior interested persons can make contact on cell # 6255136 Wanted One General Worker to work Shift System. #6760506 Labourers for wood concession $5,000 per day.

Call: 630-1831 Men to burn charcoals. Call: 630-1831

Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area call 615-9132.

Shop Workers & Handyman to work in the interior. Tel#2310363 Fish Processing- Experienced Cutters. Tel# 223-5180/ Handy man- Preferably ages 40 and above. Tel#625-2573 Deskstaff, Receptionist, 25-50 years old. 3 shift system #2250198 Looking for a job & educational services?

Contact The Job Centre 43 Croal & Alexander Street or call: 600-8457 LAND FOR SALE Transported land for sale in Rose Hall Town.Call#6031441

Thirty-three-year-old Teon Allen, aka Spoil Child, appeared in front of Magistrate Dylon Bess, at the Linden Magistrate’s Court, under heavy police guard, on Wednesday. He was charged with murdering his girlfriend, Colessa Hunte, 28, on Friday, February 27, last.

The charge was indictable, so Allen was not required to plead. He was remanded to prison until April 6, 2020.Colessa Hunte, a mother of two, was shot at the couple’s home at Wenbar Road, in a remote and bushy area aback of Central Amelia’s Ward on February 27.

Both Hunte and Allen were subsequently taken to the Linden Hospital Complex,

where Hunte succumbed.

Allen was hospitalised at the said institution, under police guard.

There were earlier media reports, suggesting that Allen was the target of the attack, which was suspected to be gang related, and orchestrated by a rival gang that Allen had an ongoing feud.

However, following police investigations, Allen became the prime suspect, after his injuries were found to be superficial, and not consistent with fresh gunshot wounds.

Allen has had several brushes with the law. In November 2019, he was shot at Rahaman’s Turn, Houston, East Bank Demerara.

At the time, he was before

the courts for having an illegal AK-47 in his possession.

He was arrested and charged for harbouring wanted men, Uree Varswyck and Mark Royden Williams, who broke out of the Camp Street Prison on July 9, 2017 during a fire and riot.Prior to this, he was charged with discharging a firearm with intent to commit murder and released on $50,000 bail.

He was also wanted by police in Linden for the attempted murder of Denise Grant and Tiffany McBeth, in Amelia’s Ward, on September 2, 2019.In December 2019, he was charged for shooting at a policeman and for being in possession of illegal arms and ammunition.

Magistrate issues arrest warrant for construction worker who allegedly chopped stepson On March 4, last, Leon Henry was hauled before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, for assaulting his stepson. He had the matter discharged after his stepson told the court he no longer wished to proceed with the matter.Henry, a construction worker, on Wednesday failed to show up in court to answer to a wounding charge. He allegedly chopped his stepson two days after the assault charge was discharged against him.Twentyone-year-old Jeremiah Hamilton, of 47 Bent Street, Georgetown, was also charged. He denied the charge which stated that on March 6, 2020, at McDoom, Greater Georgetown, he unlawful and maliciously wounded Leon Henry.The court heard that after the matter was discharged last week,

when Henry and Hamilton got home an argument ensued.

However, the following day, the argument continued and the two got into a fight and Henry allegedly chopped Hamilton.

Hamilton’s mother told the court that after Henry chopped Hamilton, “My son run to the police station to make a report… When he realised my son get chopped, he tek his cutlass and chop up himself and said that he alone ain’t going to jail.”

The woman added that Henry then made a report and both Henry and Hamilton were charged. “I told the police at the station [that] he won’t go court and so said so done. Since that day, he pick up his things and beat out.”After listening to the woman, Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty granted Hamilton self bail since he

showed up in court and she issued an arrest warrant for Henry. Both matters were adjourned to March 25, 2020.

Previously, Henry pleaded guilty to the charge that was read to him and offered to give an explanation.

The charge stated that on March 2, 2020, at McDoom, Greater Georgetown, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Jeremiah Hamilton.

Henry told the court, “We had an argument and he pulled a knife on me first and it turned into a fight…He don’t work, his mother don’t work and I have been with her for the past two years.”

After the defendant’s explanation, Hamilton told the court that he no longer wished to continue with the matter against Henry and as such, Principal Magistrate McGusty dismissed the matter.

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

Friday March 13, 2020

PPP wants Region Four ballot boxes opened The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is of the view that the best scenario to determine, accurately, the votes cast in favour of each list of candidates contesting the Region Four general and regional elections is to have a full count, ballot by ballot.

Its presidential candidate, Irfaan Ali, expressed this view during a press conference yesterday. He was accompanied by PPP frontbenchers, Gail Teixeira, Zulfikar Mustapha, Anil Nandlall, Priya Manickchand and Joseph Hamilton, at Freedom House.

The lot was, at the time, discussing what they consider to be a contemptuous breach of the law by Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, when he returned to the use of a spreadsheet as the source of data for the ascertainment of the votes for the region.

Ali presented to reporters, the figures published by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for nine regions, save for Region Four.

He also presented figures purported to be the party’s collation of its own statements of poll for Region Four in company with GECOM’s declared results for the other nine regions.

He said that those statements of poll for the most populous region were pub-

[from left] Gail Teixeira, Zulfikar Mustapha, Mark Phillips, Irfaan Ali, Anil Nandlall, Priya Manickchand, Joseph Hamilton lished online for public scrutiny by the PPP. The total announced by the presidential hopeful placed the PPP squarely in the lead for the general election.

During the press conference, the party leaders were challenged to explain why they would presume to announce election results before an official declaration by GECOM. Nandlall argued that a declaration, as defined in the law, is a very specific doing, which does not cover what Ali had done. He further argued that Ali has freedom of speech.

Later, a question was posed by Kaieteur News about whether the announcement of these figures arrived at by the PPP sought to influence the public to use same as a verifier for GECOM’s results. It was made pellucid in the ruling of Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire on

Wednesday that in the process of ascertainment, the returning officer is only required to rely on the statements of poll in the possession of GECOM. Hence, the use of other statements of poll to verify those of GECOM is not necessary.

Nandlall and others appeared to argue against this distinction, stating that the statements of poll in the possession of the parties, PPP included, are identical to those in GECOM’s possession.

The falsification of statements of poll is possible.

However, Manickchand offered that even if any of the statements of poll were in doubt, the best option, as offered by the group, would be for the returning officer to delve into the ballot boxes.

The group said that a fair count of all the ballots, from scratch, would prove the fig-

Marcus Bisram case…

Defence and Prosecution make closing submissions; ruling on March 30 Magistrate Renita Singh is expected to make a ruling in Marcus Bisram case on March 30, 2020. This was relayed to the court after closing submissions by the defence team for Bisram and the prosecution team. The case has run on for several weeks since the accused was extradited to Guyana from the United States of America.

At yesterday’s proceedings, the defence team led by Attorney Glenn Hanoman in the absence of Attorney Sanjeev Datadin, told the court that there is nothing that connects the accused to the murder of Faiyaz Narinedatt.Narinedatt’s battered body was found on the Number 72 Village Public Road with visible marks of violence.

He referred to the postmortem report of the victim and alluded that the prosecution’s theory of how the incident took place was debunked by the postmortem report.He also submitted that the evidence points to a vehicular accident. Mention was also made about the main witness recanting his testimony on the previous court appearance

Marcus Bisram and in that regard “can’t be used by the prosecution”, Hanoman said.

Meanwhile, Prosecutrix Stacy Goodings stated that the State is relying on the written submissions and believes that the State has a sufficient case. In her response to Hanoman, Goodings told the court that the prosecution

is also relying on a statement from a witness.It is alleged that Bisram, between October 31, 2016 and November 1, 2016, at Number 70 Village, Corentyne, counselled, procured and commanded Harripaul Parsram, Radesh Motie, Niran Yacoob, Diodath Datt and Orlando Dickie to murder Faiyaz Narinedatt.

ures presented in Ali’s claim to be correct.

A full count is not applicable in the stage of the procedure that GECOM’s returning officer for Region Four is currently at. Mingo is cur-

rently at the stage where he is required to ascertain the votes cast in favour of each list of candidates from the statements of poll. However, a party may make a request for a recount after the decla-

ration of the results is made.

If Mingo returns to the use of the controversial spreadsheet, the cause for the frustration of the tabulation yesterday, a request for a recount is highly likely.

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Caricom Chair says ...

Chairperson of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, has stated that the future of Guyana’s cohesion and economic stability lays in the hands of the Returning Officer (RO) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Mr. Clairmont Mingo.

Mottley made these statements during a press engagement Thursday morning with Prime Ministers Dr. Keith Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago; Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica; Keith Mitchell of Grenada; and Ralph Gonsalves of St.Vincent and the Grenadines.

They all travelled to Guyana to resolve post-elections tensions.

The team of CARICOM Heads met with representatives of all of the political parties contesting the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections and Commissioners of GECOM with the aim of charting a way forward.

During that press conference, Chairperson Motley specifically stated that, “…even though a statute puts power in the hands of a Returning Officer, that Returning Officer will understand that he holds in his hands the future and stability of Guyana as we go forward, because every vote must be made to count.”

She continued, “There is no doubt in our minds that there is at stake far more than who will be the President of Guyana. What is at stake are the lives and the stability of the people of Guyana.”

She added that the country is on the cusp of turning the corner economically, but it must also be on the cusp of making every Guyanese a winner and not a loser.

“Our fear is that if the process is not transparent that we put at risk too much. I therefore hope that the people of Guyana will work together to ensure that there is calm; there is peace.

“One life lost, as I said last week is one life too many. Let

Future of Guyana in Mingo’s hands

us not have any other person affected at this point,” she asserted.

Prime Minister Mottley was also keen to highlight the ruling made Chief Justice (CJ) Roxane George-Wiltshire, regarding election declarations made by Mingo—which were deemed unlawful.

She emphasized that the ruling made by the CJ was absolutely clear and as a result, she hopes that there will be an adherence to, not just the judgment, but to the spirit of the judgment.

Against this backdrop, she said, “We hope, therefore, that good sense would prevail on all sides. We have asked both sides to be able to speak to their supporters.”

The Chairperson of CARICOM disclosed that she is cognizant that Guyana is a sovereign state and CARICOM nations cannot get involved in the internal processes of the country.

“But we are family, and family does not stand by and watch others in the family suffer without making themselves available to be able to aid the process,” PM Mottley pointed out.

Mottley further added that CARICOM is aware that tensions will not be “miraculously achieved and changed overnight.”

She noted that the most important thing that Guyana

Chairperson CARICOM and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley should tackle, even as it fights the Coronavirus, if for the people to remain calm, patient, and allow both sides and their supporters to understand that it is the only way to process and transparency.

“I’m satisfied that the President and the Leader of the Opposition are aware of our position. I’m satisfied that they too have agreed to act in the best interests of this country.

“But they must now ensure that all under them too will act in that way. Failing that, we believe that we will have to continue to keep engaged. This is not a single event,” the Chairperson emphasized.

Contempt charge looms over...

From page 21 Mingo indicated, after being questioned, that the spreadsheet he brought yesterday is the same spreadsheet employed for the previous tabulation process which led to the first declaration by Mingo.

That declaration has now been declared unlawful by the Chief Justice.

The intended application also purports that Mingo failed and/or refused to allow the duly appointed candidates for all political parties for electoral District number Four to be present at the said

Friday March 13, 2020

exercise, and that he failed to allow all persons entitled under Section 84(1) of the Act to be present.

A GECOM official, Colin April, had approached the press, observers and party agents in the morning, yesterday, indicating that only one representative would be allowed from each observer group and one party agent, to witness the count.

In her ruling, the Chief Justice had said that the presence of all of the officials entitled to witness the count as

stated in section 84(1) in the Representation of the People Act is not mandatory. However, in the interest of transparency, she ruled that if they are present, they must witness the count.

Several observers and duly appointed candidates did present themselves at the GECOM centre, but most of them were refused entry.

Lastly, the purported application states that the respondents failed and or refused to take into consideration the need for urgency as directed by the Court.

Canada’s Prime Minister’s wife tests positive for coronavirus (CNN) More and more of the world is working from home as the novel coronavirus spreads — and so is Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Canada’s leader is currently trying to run his country in self-isolation as his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau has tested positive for coronavirus.

In a statement obtained by local outlet The Globe and Mail reporter Marieke Walsh, government officials revealed, “Following medical recommendations, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau was tested for COVID-19 today. The test came back positive.”

“Also following medical advice, she will remain in isolation for the time being. She is feeling well, is taking all recommended precautions and her symptoms remain mild.”

Officials revealed that the prime minister is “in good health with no symptoms.”

However, “As a precautionary measure and following the advice of doctors, he will be in isolation for a planned period of 14 days.”

The indiscriminate virus has caused dozens of government officials around the world — from administrators to heads of state — to take precautionary measures after finding that they have been infected or have been in contact with infected people.

There is no suggestion yet that Trudeau himself might have the virus, but he joins a long list of officials who have removed themselves from their workplaces, including top US lawmakers, a British health minister, Iran’s deputy health minister, France’s culture minister and the president of the European Parliament.Busy politicians are not always able to manage the social distancing required to keep infection from spreading. In times of crisis, they are expected to shake many hands and even visit

hospitals where they are vulnerable to falling ill themselves.

But any leader would be wise to develop plans to continue running the government in a case of self-isolation or quarantine.

“The Prime Minister will spend the day in briefings, phone calls, and virtual meetings from home, including speaking with other world leaders and joining the special COVID-19 cabinet committee discussion,” Trudeau’s office said on Thursday. His wife came down with mild flu-like symptoms following a speaking engagement in the UK, according to his office. An inperson meeting of ministers has been postponed.

He’s not the only one. The president of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, is also self-isolating for two weeks as a precaution, after going to Italy over the last weekend. On Tuesday, he chaired a European Union meeting in Brussels by video conference.Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro is currently waiting for the results of a coronavirus test, his son Eduardo Bolsonaro tweeted Thursday, after his press secretary Fabio Wajngarten tested positive for it.

In the US, President Donald Trump is telling people close to him that he is now concerned about coming into contact with people who have contracted the coronavirus, including Wajngarten, who was recently with Trump at Mar-aLago, CNN’s Jim Acosta reports. (However, the White House has said that contact was minimal and testing is not required.)Separately, nine US lawmakers — some of whom had recent contact with Trump — are now taking steps to self-quarantine as a precaution after coming into contact with another infected person.

Iran’s government has been particularly affected by the virus. Iran’s former foreign minister and current advisor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Dr. Ali Akbar Velayati, has tested positive for coronavirus and is currently in quarantine at his home in Tehran, a Tehran hospital told Iran’s semi-official news agency ISNA on Thursday. Another former adviser to Khameni recently died after being infected.

Earlier this month, officials confirmed that 23 members (or 8%) of Iran’s 290member parliament had tested positive to the virus. Two members are known to have died. Several vice presidents, of which Iran has many, have tested positive.

High-ranking officials in France have also reported infections, including several French MPs and the country’s Culture Minister Franck Riester. There are doubts over whether parliament will reconvene on March 23 as planned.

In the UK, junior health minister Nadine Dorries has also reported testing positive.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was at a meeting with Dorries not long before she tested positive, but he has said he will not get tested, as he is showing no symptoms.

And in Mongolia, President Khaltmaagiin Battulga and other officials have already been placed under quarantine for two weeks, after returning from a one-day trip to China. The leader has since reportedly tested negative.

As the virus spreads, countries around the world could see more officials dealing with the virus personally, as well as politically. And the fact that the virus appears more dangerous for the elderly could become cause for concern in countries where the highest-ranking officials often spend decades climbing the ranks — and are now in their 60s, 70s and 80s.

Friday March 13, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

PAGE 26

Kaieteur News

Friday March 13, 2020

Friday March 13, 2020

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

“Gifts” help Reggae Boyz brush aside Bermuda Montego Bay, CMC – Goals on either side of halftime handed a second string Reggae Boyz side a comfortable 2-0 victory over Bermuda in a friendly at the Montego Bay Sports Complex here Wednesday night.

Jourdaine Fletcher scored on 42 minutes to give the hosts a 1-0 lead at half-time before Kemar Beckford added the second, 11 minutes from time. Bermuda’s national coach Kyle Lightbourne described the outing as a “great exercise” despite his team’s defeat but conceded they had gifted Jamaica both goals.

“We played in patches,” said Lightbourne, whose team are ranked 120 places below the hosts. “We let in goals that were our mistakes. We told them five or seven minutes before half-time, ‘Let’s clear our lines, let’s play balls in and nick it’. I think we gifted them two goals tonight.

“But it was an evenly matched game and I think overall, it was a great exercise for us. It’s not always about the result.”

Jamaica assistant coach Jerome Waite was also pleased with the showing of his team, which also featured several youngsters looking

for more game time. “Bermuda came with their game plan,” Waite said. “We nullified it to some extent and did well.”

Bermuda, without captain Danté Leverock and a number of other key players like England-based star Nahki Wells, rotated the squad heavily and Lightbourne said that playing at this level was a new experience but praised a few debutants. Cecoy Robinson took the captain’s armband on the night.

“It was a much needed game for us because a lot of our guys don’t play at this level on a regular basis,” Lightbourne said. Jamaica are the highest ranked English-

Friday March 13, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Optimism and enthusiasm for the months ahead have you feeling confident and strong.

The sky's the limit! A male visitor could have some surprising news for you.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Some interesting information could come to you from another state or country, Taurus. This could induce some pretty deep thinking, leading to decisions that could alter the course of your life in some way.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You should wake up feeling strong and confident. Expect to receive some good news today, which will only heighten your mood. In the afternoon you could attend a party or neighborhood get-together.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Your outgoing and jovial nature is intensified today, Cancer, and so you're probably going to be sought after for any parties or celebrations.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your faithful and diligent work, in addition to a lot of sacrifices for the sake of your career, will soon bear fruit.

The anticipation of a great evaluation, with possible advancement, is likely to have you walking on air.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Congratulations! You've finally reached a goal you've been working toward for a long time.

Success and advancement are on their way SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Vivid, wonderful dreams may have haunted your sleep last night, Sagittarius, leaving you disappointed that they weren't real. They have a message for you, so write them down, set them aside, and analyze them later.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Feel free to take full advantage of the very open social energies of today. You, especially, will feel at home in any social gathering, totally at ease talking to new people and charming the room.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Inspiration is the keyword for today, Leo. An optimistic and enthusiastic attitude could lead to powerful imaginings, which may take solid form as plans for future projects. These could be artistic, business related, or centered around your home in some way.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Expect some very pleasant surprises today, Aquarius. If you're single, you're likely to receive a phone call from someone who interests you romantically. This should greatly increase your level of self-confidence.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) A group you're associated with could bring information to your attention that puts you in a very positive frame of mind and almost has you skipping all the way home. You should enjoy socializing today.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You should be feeling especially strong, healthy, and charismatic. You're likely to receive some invitations to exciting parties. You might be surprised at what seems a sudden increase in your popularity.

Jourdaine Fletcher … scored for Jamaica. speaking Caribbean side in the world at 48th while Bermuda lie 168th.

Bermuda lost 3-2 to Jamaica in Kingston in a Caribbean Cup qualifier in the previous meeting between the two nations in 1997.

Coronavirus fears forces GABA...

From page 31 “Sportsmen and women, especially those involved in contact-sports, are at highrisk of being contaminated and as such, the GABA would like to issue a call to all involved in the sport of basketball locally, even if you play just for fun or to keep fit, to take the necessary precautions being advertised by the World Health Organisations, especially, to safeguard yourself and family,” said Slater.

The Andrew Ifill Knockout tournament will celebrate the life of the late Andrew Ifill, a former national player who passed away last October at age 40. The tournament will be contested in the Open and Under-21 divisions, as Slater explained that the new GABA administration “has moved to exclude Second Division from our tenure to try and have more basketball played at the Open level, which would give more persons a chance to actually play the game. A lot of teams have a lot of players and sometimes these players don’t get to see court.”

Eagles, Colts, Sonics, UGA and UG-B will contest the U21 category, while Guardians, Colts, UG-A, Vikings, Sonics, Pacesetters A and B, Eagles, Kobras and Ravens are down to play in the Open Division.

CAF to maintain...

From page 27 Organisation described the outbreak as a pandemic, meaning it is spreading in multiple countries around the world at the same time.

Kenya’s government has already stated that no sporting competitors can leave the country to travel abroad until early April, meaning the Harambee Stars’ Nations Cup tie in Comoros on 29 March is uncertain.

Coronavirus cases have currently been declared in twelve African nations, with Egypt the worst affected. On Tuesday, Algeria’s government announced that the remainder of the football season would be played behind closed doors

because of the outbreak while others, such as Rwanda among others, have insisted on no handshaking prior to games.

Caf officials are set to visit CHAN host Cameroon - which has suffered two cases - later this week to ascertain the level of preparedness to combat the spread of the disease during the competition for African players based in their own national leagues.

“A delegation from the Caf Medical Committee is scheduled to visit Cameroon from 14-15 March,” the statement added. “The purpose of this mission is to assess all the preventive measures taken by the Local Organising Committee.”

PAGE 28

Friday March 13, 2020

Kaieteur News

Men’s tennis, NBA basketball, La Liga soccer: coronavirus shreds sports calendar London (Reuters) - The global sporting calendar has been shredded by the coronavirus pandemic, with men’s tennis shut down for six weeks, top European soccer leagues on hold and the NBA having announced a suspension until further notice.

Poignantly, the Olympic flame was lit in ancient Olympia but the road to the Tokyo Olympics appears, at present, a distant one with the spread of the virus impacting across all sports.

Men’s tennis’s ATP Tour announced that no tournaments would take place until after April 20 at the earliest, wiping out the prestigious Miami Open and Monte Carlo Opens as well as

The Jazz v Thunder game was called off on Wednesday evening after the NBA announcement. tournaments in Houston and Marrakech.

“This is not a decision that was taken lightly and it

CWI chief selector not impressed with Windies players in four-day tournament Bridgetown, Barbados, CMC – Cricket West Indies (CWI) Chief Selector Roger Harper has expressed disappointment in the performance of players with West Indies experience in the ongoing Regional FourDay Championship, saying they have not shown their full worth at the crease.

Harper, who was on the Barbados radio show Mason & Guest Tuesday night, said the batsmen were not performing as well as they should.

“Certainly I had hoped and expected greater performance from them. To be playing seven rounds of cricket and not really getting anything is a bit concerning,” the former coach said, although singling out Devon Smith for “showing the way” with just over 560 runs at an average of almost 48.

“The other guys are averaging in the 20s.”

The domestic firstclass competition moved into the eighth round yesterday, with some of t h e We s t I n d i e s s q u a d back in the Caribbean from the just ended Sri Lanka tour joining the teams.

“I am hoping they will inspire the West Indies players – the ones who’ve recently been in the West Indies team and have been playing the Regional Four-Day competition – to perform better, especially the batsmen,” Harper

said.

“When you look at the match reports after each round you should be able to identify the players who’ve represented West Indies team at this level because they should stand out, and that definitely has not been the case at all. The batsmen, in particular, have not really put their hands up at all and they need to do that in the last three rounds.”

One of Harper’s other concerns in the six-team tournament was the lack of early pressure being put on batsmen. The f o r m e r We s t I n d i e s spinner, who played both Test and ODI cricket for the regional side, suggested that captains “could look to be more aggressive at times and look to create opportunities to take wickets early”.

He did acknowledge that, overall, there has been “some good cricket” in the tournament, although he was adamant that more consistency is needed from the batsmen. At the end of the seventh round, Pride had 116 points, followed by Jaguars on 85.8 points.

Volcanoes are third in the standings on 73.6 points, with Red Force close behind on 72.2 points, Scorpions in fifth place on 68.6 points, and Hurricanes at the bottom of the table on 48.4 points.

represents a great loss for our tournaments, players, and fans worldwide,” the ATP’s chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said.

“However we believe this is the responsible action needed at this time in order to protect the health and safety of our players, staff, the wider tennis community and general public health in the face of this global pandemic.”

Earlier this week the Indian Wells tournament was canceled, while the International Tennis Federation postponed the revamped Fed Cup Finals set

for Budapest in April. The National Basketball Association (NBA) took the decision on Wednesday to suspend the season until further notice after a Utah Jazz player tested positive for the coronavirus.

“The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic,” a statement said.

While chaos escalated elsewhere, Formula One was apparently carrying on regardless with the Australian Grand Prix likely to go ahead despite the McLaren team

withdrawing after a team member tested positive for coronavirus.

Mercedes’ six times world champion Lewis Hamilton told reporters earlier that it was “shocking” the race could go ahead and suggested organizers had put financial concerns ahead of people’s health. Spain and the Netherlands became the latest nations to suspend all soccer leagues.

The next two rounds of La Liga fixtures were postponed. Real Madrid put its squad into quarantine after a member of the club’s basketball team te s t e d positive yesterday.

“Given the circumstances that are coming to light this morning, referring to the quarantine established in Real Madrid and the possible cases in players from other clubs, La Liga considers it appropriate to continue to the next phase of the protocol of action against COVID-19,” said La Liga.

Italy’s Serie A has already stopped until at least April 3 with the country in lockdown after 12,000 infections and 800 deaths. Two Serie A players, Sampdoria’s Manolo Gabbiadini and Daniele Rugani, of Juventus, have tested positive.

England’s Premier League

was waiting to discover whether or not it would continue, or have matches played behind closed doors, with the government expected to move its response to the coronavirus crisis from the “contain” phase to the “delay” phase at an emergency “Cobra” committee meeting.

With many other European leagues either suspended or playing without fans in stadiums, the fate of this year’s Euro 2020 championship being played across 12 cities remains unclear. Governing body UEFA said it will hold a meeting of all 55 football federations in Europe to discuss the impact of the coronavirus on all domestic and European competitions.

Two of yesterday’s Europa League matches have been postponed, while it looks highly unlikely that next week’s Champions League clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid will be played.

Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States also announced that the season was suspended until further notice. Some events were continuing though, with the first round under way at golf’s Players Championship at Sawgrass.

Australian Grand Prix called off BBCsport The Australian Grand Prix has been called off, two senior Formula 1 sources have told BBC Sport. There has been no official confirmation from F1 or governing body the FIA but the news follows a McLaren team member testing positive for coronavirus.

The situation rapidly developed throughout Thursday night in Melbourne and an announcement that the race will not take place is now expected. The decision throws into doubt the rest of the Formula 1 season.

F1 and the FIA have come in for criticism for their handling of the situation.

World champion Lewis Hamilton said yesterday at the official F1 news conference he was “very, very surprised” the sport was pressing on with plans to continue with the race while the outbreak of the virus worsened and other sports suspended or cancelled events.

An initial meeting of team bosses with F1 and FIA officials on Thursday night, after a tense day in the paddock at Albert Park, broke up with an agreement to carry on with today’s practice as

The Australian Grand Prix is the second race to be called off over coronavirus concerns.

normal and review the situation later that day.

But the plans changed later in the evening as several insiders - including leading drivers - expressed their concerns about the idea of racing amid the risk of further cases of coronavirus in the tight-knit F1 paddock.

The decision was reviewed at later meetings and eventually the decision was made to call the race off. In total, eight F1 workers have been assessed and tested for Covid-19. Seven were cleared yesterday but an eighth, from McLaren, tested positive.

Australian Grand Prix organisers said in a statement a ninth person had been assessed and tested, with the

result pending. This person was “not associated with any F1 team, the FIA or associated suppliers”, the statement said.

There is no sense yet of the knock-on effects of the Australian race being called off, but the Bahrain Grand Prix, scheduled to be the second meeting of the season on 22 March, is now in serious doubt. A decision is also expected imminently on the Vietnam Grand Prix, scheduled for 5 April, after the government in Hanoi banned travel into the country for anyone who has been in Italy - among other locations - in the previous 14 days.

F1 chief executive Chase Carey was in Hanoi on Thursday trying to find a way

around the restrictions. The Chinese Grand Prix, scheduled to be the fourth race, was postponed in February after government officials said it could not go ahead. There are now serious questions as to when, or even if, the F1 season will start at all. The next race after Vietnam is scheduled to be the Dutch Grand Prix on 5 May, the start of a run of three races in four weekends that also includes the Spanish and Monaco events.

But with the coronavirus situation developing by the day, and countries imposing tighter restrictions on travel, it is impossible to know at this stage whether any of those races can go ahead.

Friday March 13, 2020

Tokyo 2020 torch lit behind closed doors in ancient Olympia Ancient Olympia, Greece (Reuters) - The Tokyo 2020 Olympics torch relay got under way yesterday when the flame was lit by the rays of the sun in ancient Olympia in a scaled-down ceremony overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Actress Xanthi Georgiou, in the role of high priestess, used a parabolic mirror at the site of the ancient Greek Olympics to ignite the torch, before handing it to Greek Olympic shooting champion Anna Korakaki, the first woman to ever launch an Olympic relay.

Korakaki subsequently lit the torch of Japanese runner Mizuki Noguchi, the 2004 Olympic marathon champion. The torch will be h a n d e d o v e r t o To k y o Games organizers in Athens on March 19 after a seven-day relay in Greece.

Tokyo Games organizers as well as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have insisted the Games will go ahead as planned on July 24- Aug. 9, amid mounting

speculation that they could be canceled or postponed as the virus spreads rapidly across the globe.

“Nineteen weeks before the opening ceremony of the games we are strengthened in our commitment by many ... organizations around the world taking significant measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus,” IOC President Thomas Bach said.

“The Tokyo Games are delivered by an all-star, allJapan team with outstanding support and cooperation on all levels of government,” he told a small crowd of invited guest on a sun-drenched morning inside the ancient stadium, nestled in the western Peloponnese.

The ceremony was the first since 1984 to be held without spectators on the grassy slopes of the stadium, and only a few dozen accredited officials were allowed to watch the lighting at the nearby Temple of Hera.

The World Health

Organization (WHO) described the coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic for the first time, prompting more countries to announce drastic measures.

U.S. President Donald Trump suspended travel from Europe, except for the UK, for 30 days starting Friday, and hard-hit Italy tightened its lockdown.

As of Wednesday, Japan had 620 cases and 15 deaths, excluding people on a cruise ship that was quarantined near Yokohama last month, according to the health ministry. Experts say the tally may be deceptively low due to the limited number of tests in Japan compared with many other countries.

Tokyo Games chief Yoshiro Mori has called any talk of postponement “outrageous”, while on Thursday Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said she believed cancellation was not an option, although she acknowledged that the pandemic label would affect future discussions.

Singh, Bharat guide V and V Allstars to Chris Ambassadors T20 Softball title

Captain of V and V Allstars, Anand Bharat accepts the winning prize from Selwyn John in the presence of his teammates.

A fine half century from Yogendra Singh and a useful all-round performance by skipper Anand Bharat handed V and V Allstars a four-wicket victory over Belle Vue when the teams collided in the final of the Christ Ambassadors Sports Club T20 Softball competition played on Monday last at Belle Vue ground.

Belle Vue opted to bat and managed 181-8. R. Seecharran made 46 off 31 balls with six fours while C.

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

Boucher hit a 15-ball 38 which included three fours and three sixes. Martin Salick captured 3-32 and Anand Bharat 2-24.

V and V Allstars replied with 182-6 in 18 overs.

Yogendra Singh slammed eight fours and four sixes in a top score of 71 off 30 balls while Anand Bharat made 44 not out off 40 balls, including four fours and one six.

In the lone semi final played earlier, V and V Allstars

scored 100-9, taking first strike. Wazeer Hussain scored 26 while Quazim Yusuf made 24; Nicosie Major had 3-14. Rising Stars were well on their way to victory, reaching 48-2 in four overs before Anand Bharat picked up four wickets including a hat-trick, in the fifth over as they were bowled out for 74.

Randy Yankana stroked three fours and three sixes in scoring 34; Anand Bharat bagged 5-10 and Delroy Williams had 3-14.

Antigua pulls out of marquee games over coronavirus fears Hamilton, Bermuda, CMC – Antigua and Barbuda has delivered a blow by announcing it has pulled out of next month’s CARIFTA Games to be staged here because of fears over the worldwide spread of coronavirus.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Sports Daryll Matthew confirmed the government’s decision to withdraw from the 49th edition of the Games – the region’s junior athletic showpiece – following discussions with Prime Minister Gaston Browne and other relevant health ministers and officials on Wednesday, media here reported.

“We are cognisant of the fact that our young people have been preparing for over a year for these events and having weighed this against the safety of our

Sports Minister Daryll Matthew. young people, we made a decision to withdraw from the competitions,” Matthew was quoted as saying by media here.

“We have communicated this information to the relevant officials which made up the Antigua and Barbuda team to include president of the Athletics Association, Swimming Association and the director of sports and they are in support of the

decision.”

Triple and long jumpers Taeco O’Garro, Sheldon Noble, Mia McIntosh and Alyssa Dyett, were the only Antiguan athletes who had qualified for event. Antigua and Barbuda has not reported any cases of the virus.

Donna R a y n o r, president of the Bermuda National Athletics Association, said last week she was confident that the Covid-19 threat, which has more than 129 500 confirmed cases and 4,500 deaths worldwide, would not disrupt the staging of the Games.

More than 600 athletes and coaches from 27 Caribbean countries, along with supporters from various islands, are expected to converge for the games here.

Bermuda will host the event for the fifth time when it is held from April 10-13.

Athletics: Russian federation fined $10 mln for breaching anti-doping rules Moscow (Reuters) - The Russian athletics federation has been fined $10 million for breaching anti-doping rules and a maximum of 10 Russian track and field athletes will be allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympics as neutrals, World Athletics said yesterday.

Russia’s athletics federation was suspended in 2015 after a report commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) found evidence of mass doping among track and field athletes in the country.

Yet some of its officials and senior coaches have since then been involved in doping scandals, undermining the country’s efforts to have the ban lifted.

World Athletics, the sport’s global body governing, said yesterday it was limiting to 10 the number of Russians who could be eligible to compete in track and field as neutrals at this year’s Tokyo Olympics.

It also reinstated the process by which Russian athletes can apply to compete internationally as neutrals after demonstrating that they train in a doping-free environment. That vetting process will be once again suspended if Russia fails to pay half of the $10 million fine

by July 1, World Athletics said.

World Athletics stopped clearing Russians to compete internationally in November last year. That followed the provisional suspension of the

federation’s president at the time, Dmitry Shlyakhtin, and six other people for having provided false explanations and forged documents to justify missed doping tests by high jumper Danil Lysenko.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said the body’s council had felt “severely let down” by the federation’s previous administration and that it had approved new criteria for its reinstatement, including additional oversight by international experts based in

Russia.

In recent months Russia has stepped up its efforts to have its athletes cleared to compete internationally, including with the appointment of a new federation president and the resignation of its executive committee. Russia is also in the process of appealing a four-year ban from competing under its flag in many sports at major international events as punishment for having provided WADA with doctored laboratory data.

The Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has said that the appeal would not be heard before late April and would be closed to the public.

CAF to maintain schedule amidst coronavirus pandemic BBCsport The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has chosen to maintain the schedule of all its competitions, amidst the outbreak of coronavirus, which was labelled a pandemic on Wednesday.

Some 48 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers are set to take place in nearly 50 countries across the continent at the end of March. Meanwhile, the African Nations Championship (CHAN) is

scheduled to take place in Cameroon between 4-25 April.

“According to (the) World Health Organisation, no African country till date has been declared a high risk,” Caf said in a statement.

“Consequently, Caf has decided to maintain the schedule of all competitions.”

Shortly after Caf released it statement on Wednesday, the World Health (Continued on page 25)

PAGE 30

Friday March 13, 2020

Kaieteur News

Early Season Classic on tomorrow

Akeem Stewart Aubrey Hutson, Head of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), has confirmed with Kaieteur Sport that all roads leads to the National Track and Field Center (NTFC), Leonora, for the ‘Early Season Classic’ Track and Field Meet, tomorrow and Sunday.

The two-day event will feature track and field events on both days with Guyana’s top youth and senior athletes being pitted against each other for top honours.

In an invited comment,

Hutson explained that all the logistics are in place for this weekend’s showdown that will serve as the third and final qualifier for the 49th Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) Games set for this Easter weekend in Bermuda, over 100 athletes have registered for this weekend’s action.

A total of 12 Guyanese have already qualified for next month’s CARIFTA Games namely, Anisha Gibbons, Attoya Harvey, Seon Booker, Okenoko Pascal, Wesley Tyndall, Randy Hamilton, Adriel Austin, Keliza Smith, Annalisa Barclay, Princess Browne and Trevon Hamer.

This weekend’s action will be headlined by the likes of local sprint aces Akeem Stewart and Davin Fraser along with National long jump record holder Emanuel Archibald who is also the reigning 100m Champion.

Archibald, who is currently a student-athlete at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona

Anisha Gibbons

Leslain Baird is aiming for the 85m Olympics qualifying distance.

Campus in Jamaica arrived in Guyana this week after an impressive showing at t h e U W I M o n a ’s 6 2 n d annual intramural event last weekend where he won the long jump event.

Archibald’s long jump record of 8.12m that was achieved at the Jamaica

Athletics Administrative Association’s (JAAA) All Comers Meet in May 2019 will not be enough to see him qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but the former basketball player is confident that he can make the 8.22m qualifying standard with a little extra effort.

All eyes will also be on Leslain Baird who is continuing his journey back to full fitness in the Javelin throw this weekend.

The national javelin men’s record holder missed the back end of the last season due to a hemorrhoids condition and is slowly getting back to a 100% but event at 80%, Baird has proven to be better than the rest with decent performances at three

development meets held so far this year.

Early in the season, Baird had shared with Kaieteur Sport that he is aiming to make the 85m Olympics qualifying standard, and although it’s some distance away from his personal best of 78.65m that was good enough to see him cop a silver medal at the 2018 South America Championships in Bolivia, he will still give it his all.

Centuries for Nathan Persaud, Kemol Savory and Yogesh Singh; Wallace has six for Centuries from Nathan Persaud, Kemol Savory and Yogesh Singh and a sixwicket haul from Akil Wallace highlighted the latest round of matches in the Essequibo Coast T20 Bash which continued on Sunday last.

At Pomona, Rising Stars defeated Devonshire Castle by 38 runs. Winning the toss and batting first, Rising Stars posted 193 for 3. Kemol Savory struck 105 while Ricardo Peters made 34. Anil Persaud took 2 for 57.

Devonshire Castle responded with 155 all out in 18.2 overs.

Ajay Jailall scored 40 including five consecutive sixes; Anthony Persaud made 27 and Dinesh Chattergoon 20. Bowling for Rising Stars, Latchman Rohit claimed 3-16; Quintin Sampson had 3 for 17 and Darmendra Lakhan 2 for 44.

New Opportunity Corps (NOC) beat Jaguars Over-40 by seven wickets. Batting first, Jaguars were sent packing for 114 all out in 19 overs. S. Bissoon got 37 and S. Khan 16. Bowling for NOC, Anthony Adams grabbed 414, Akinie Adams 3 for 13 and B. Jones 2 for 13.

NOC responded with 115 for 3 in 12 overs. Anthony Adams made 32 not out and David Williams contributed 19 not out; N. Khan had 1-20 and K. Persaud 1-25.

At Affiance Ground, Affiance Sports Club defeated WD’s Gunners by 52

Sheldon Charles runs. Winning the toss and batting, Affiance made 177 for 7. Yogesh Singh blasted two fours and 12 sixes in a scoring 103 while Sanjay Rajkumar made 25. WD’s Gunners were limited to 125 for 8, in reply.

Grayson Paul struck 57 and H. Williams 21; Hemant Singh claimed 3 for 20 and Devendra Narine 2-15.

Spartan Challengers overcame Jaguars Sports Club by three wickets. Batting first, Jaguars SC managed 117 all out in 16.3 overs. Toolsie Ram scored 29 and Orin Gibson 19. Edward Lall had 326, Kamesh Lall 2-22 and Tayiendra Boodram 2-24.

Spartan Challengers replied with 118 for 7 in 18.5 overs.

Kamesh Lall made 32 and Alex Balwin 20. Feizal Mohamed claimed 2-23 and Wazim Kamal 2-24.

At Imam Bacchus Ground, Bacchus Bulls

thumped Rebels by 118 runs.

Bacchus Bulls took first strike and rattled up 250 for 4.

Nathan Persaud stroked 12 fours and five sixes in a top score of 120 while Sheldon Charles made 66 with five fours and three sixes and Neiland Cadogan contributed 20 not out.

Thomas Chan took 2-55.

Rebels could only muster 132 for 5 in response. Keron Boodram scored 42 with seven fours and one six; Yougeshwar Lall took 2-12 and Mohendra Balbadar 2-29.

United Warriors overcame Aurora Knight Riders by three wickets.

Aurora Knight Riders scored 141 for 6, taking first knock.

Norwayne Fredericks slammed 66 and Norman Fredericks scored 24; S. Boucher and Shaquille Rigby took two wickets apiece.

United Warriors replied with 144 for 7. Shaquille Rigby struck 85 while S. Richards scored 31 not out; Anand Manieram took 2-11 and Garfield Phillips 2-26.

At Reliance, Reliance Hustlers defeated Sparwin by 80 runs. Reliance Hustlers posted 224 for 3, batting first.

Mark Austin slammed 95 while Narendra Madholall made 64 and Anthony Ifill 45.

Sparwin responded with 149 for 8. E. Lall scored 33 while extras contributed 28; Madholall captured 3-23 and S. Lall 2-35.

Reliance Sports Club got the better of Scheme Gunners by 197 runs. Reliance SC

batted first and managed 262 for 5. Scheme Gunners were bowled out for 65 in reply.

At Lima, Lima United beat Crown X1 by six wickets.

Crown X1 took first turn at the crease and were bowled out for 127 in 16.5 overs. B. Dasrat made 37 and T. Deonarine 23; Lance Roberts captured 4-20; Keion James had 2-15 and Safraz Ghani 2-25. Lima United scored 128 for 4 in 10.4 in reply. Fazeer Khan made 66 and Keenon James 25.

Queenstown triumphed over Young Achievers by two wickets. Young Achievers batted first and posted 146 all out. Chanderpaul Bhopaul made 38 and Naresh Ramdial 25. Akil Wallace bagged 6-10.

Queenstown responded with 147 for 8 in 19 overs in reply.

Randy Bridgemohan scored 46 and Ameer Ally 36; Ravi Persaud grabbed 4-23 and Naresh Ramdial 2-22.

At Walton Hall, Cotton Field Strikers defeated Walton Hall by seven wickets. Batting first, Walton Hall were sent packing for 81 in 13 overs. L. Singh (19), D. Tilack (15) and N. Bahadur (13) were the principal scorers.

Rajiv Kissoon claimed 36; Bomesh Ramdahin captured 3-19 and Parmanand Persaud 2-25. Strikers scored 82 for 3 in 10.5 overs, in response. Rajiv Kissoon made 29 and Carlos Yhap 16.

Suresh Persaud took 2-27.

At Charity, Charity Sports Club defeated Golden Fleece by three wickets.

Kemol Savory

Golden Fleece batted first and made 113 all out in 18 overs.

Eknauth Persaud slammed 50; Mukesh Singh snared 3-25 and Ricardo Barakat 2 for 30.

Charity SC responded with 114 for 7 in 19.2 overs.

Mukesh Singh scored 40 and Suresh Dindayal got 20; T. Sankar claimed 3-28.

Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League suspends with immediate effect Miami, FL - At Concacaf the welfare of everyone associated with our matches and competitions is of paramount importance to us.

We have been closely monitoring the public health situation as it has been evolving in the US and across the entire region.

Given the developments last night, including new

guidance issued by countries, cities and states, we have made the decision to suspend the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League with immediate effect. We are continuing to discuss arrangements for other upcoming Concacaf competitions and will make a further public statement in due course.

Friday March 13, 2020

PAGE 31

Kaieteur News

Regional Four-Day Championship

Guyana take first day honours in must win clash against Barbados

By Sean Devers Guyana Jaguars took first day honours against leaders Barbados Pride in a top-ofthe-table eight round day/ night clash in the CWI Regional four-day tournament last night at Providence. The Jaguars ended the day on 19-2, 155 runs adrift of Barbados’ 1749 innings closed.

Shimron Hetmyer unbeaten on 10 and Leon Johnson not out yet to score as the Bajans fought back.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul was removed by Kemar Roach for six from 28 balls at 16-1 and Night watchman Kevin Sinclair fell to Jason Holder for three at 19-2.

A carefully constructed 48 from 27-year-old West Indies opener Kraigg Braithwaite offered token resistance to Guyana’s fourprong pace attack but nobody else reached 30. Braithwaite shared in a 65-run stand with Shane Dowrich who retired hurt on 25 with five fours and 44 with Jonathan Carter who made 27 with three fours as Barbados were dismissed in 74.1 overs.

Keemo Paul had 3-61, Romario Shepherd 2-15, Raymon Reifer 2-19 and Christopher Barnwell 1-20 while off-spinner Sinclair took the other wicket to fall as the South American Franchise, who floored four catches, collected 4.6 points for their effort in the field.

On a track with some early bounce and movement, Sheyne Moseley was bowled

by Shepherd for a duck at 0-1 in the second over before Sharmarh Brooks (9) was LBW to Paul at 19-2 as the returning West Indies pacers made an immediate impact.

The left-handed Jonathan

Carter joined the solid Brathwaite who batting cautiously as the sun came out in all its glory and together they repaired the early damage by taking the score to 63-2 on a fast outfield by the first break at 16:00hrs.

After the interval, 20year-old off-spinner Sinclair had Carter stumped for 27 with three boundaries from 69 balls to leave the 21 times Champions on 63-3. Dowrich and Braithwaite, who played the sheet anchor role joined forces and Dowrich in particular, played some welltimed shots on both sides of the wicket before the diminutive Dowrich was hit on his neck from a Shepherd bouncer; taking evasive action with the score on 97-3 and was forced retire hurt.

The left-handed Kyle Mayers the only batsman to reach 600 run this season(630) and the dogged Braithwaite who stepped on the gas with a couple of pulled boundaries off Paul in an over which cost 12 runs.

But when two away from his 51st First-Class fifty and third for this season, Braithwaite was trapped in front by left-arm seamer Bajan Reifer at 128-4 and when Paul had Mayers LBW for 17, the Jaguars was clawing their way into the ascendency.

Holder and Ashley Nurse saw their team, which has not beaten Guyana at Providence since 2014, to Tea at 143-5 as 80 runs were scored and three wickets were taken. After the break Holder (11) was bowled

by Reifer at 154-6 before Nurse, who deposited Paul for a six and a four in the same over, had his wood work disturbed by Paul for 11 at 159-7.

Jomel Warrican (0)

touched a hook at Shepherd as Barbados, who beat Guyana in Barbados by seven wickets, slipped to 1598 before Roach (10) was caught at slip by Johnson off Barnwell to end the innings as Dowrich could not return.

Dowrich was taken to Diamond Diagnostic Centre and seen by a doctor and was reported as fine by the

Barbados Camp. Today is the second day and play is scheduled to commence at 14:00hrs.

In other scores: Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, opting to bat first, reached 298 for five in their first innings at the close on the opening day against Windward Islands Volcanoes at the Brian Lara Stadium

yesterday.

Scores: Red Force 298 for five (Imran Khan 80 not out, Jyd Goolie 78 not out, Kyle Hope 54, Jason Mohammed 45; Preston McSween 3-36) vs Volcanoes.

And, Jamaica Scorpions, replying to Leeward Islands Hurricanes’ first innings of 260, reached 47 for one at the close on the opening day of

their eighth round match in the Regional Four-Day Championship at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Scores: Hurricanes 260 (Alzarri Joseph 89, Jeremiah Louis 75, Jahmar Hamilton 40; Marquino Mindley 5-65, Derval Green 4-84).

Scorpions 47 for one (John Campbell 22 ret. hurt).

Domestic schedule in ‘jeopardy’ as coronavirus hits region Bridgetown, Barbados, CMC – Cricket West Indies’ domestic itinerary has been put in “jeopardy” following the first reported cases of the coronavirus in the Caribbean, and chief executive Johnny Grave said yesterday a decision would be taken shortly on whether to suspend the schedule altogether.

Two cases of the virus – known as COVID-19 – have already been reported in Jamaica while Trinidad, Guyana and St Vincent have all reported a single case so far.

But with health authorities anticipating a rise in reported cases and other Caribbean territories on high alert, Grave said it was critical CWI acted swiftly to mitigate against any potential risk to players and officials, and in the best interest of public safety.

“Our medical panel is meeting as we speak so they can provide a recommendation on our upcoming tours and series,” Grave told CMC Sports in a telephone interview yesterday. “And it wouldn’t

be a surprise to me [if] there is a postponement or cancellation of our events. In the Caribbean now we’ve got cases reported in Guyana, St Vincent and Jamaica.

“I’m awaiting news of their recommendations and we’ll take those recommendations immediately to the Board of Directors. We’re likely to host a conference call and ask for support of those recommendations.”

S i g n i f i c a n t l y, two matches of the ongoing eighth round of the Regional Four-Day Championship are being staged in affected territories, with Guyana Jaguars hosting Barbados Pride in Georgetown and Trinidad and Tobago Red Force hosting Windward Islands in Tarouba, South Trinidad.

And though the round bowled off yesterday with a match also being played between Leeward Islands Hurricanes and Jamaica Scorpions in Antigua, Grave admitted that uncertainty remained over the fixtures, depending on the

recommendations put forward.

“The current round of four-day games has started [on Thursday] but I couldn’t really say with any confidence whether those games will be completed because obviously the situation is changing so quickly and we’re monitoring it very, very closely as you would expect,” the Englishman stressed.

Several other upcoming domestic tournaments face the possibility of cancellation. The Women’s Super50 Cup is set to run from March 30 to April 11 in Guyana, the boys Under-15 Championship is carded for Antigua from April 11-19 while the girls Under-19 Championship is scheduled for Trinidad from April 7-11.

Further, two rounds of the Regional Four-Day Championship still remain, with some matches scheduled for Trinidad, Guyana and Jamaica.

Pointing to the entire suite of tournaments, Grave said all could be in danger once instability remained because of the coronavirus.

“As for the next two

rounds of the [four-day] championship which are the final ones, the women’s Regional Super50 Cup which takes place end of the month in Guyana, our Under-15 Boys regional tournament due to take place in early April here in Antigua and our inaugural Under-19 girls tournament taking place in Trinidad in early April, it’s fair to say they are all in jeopardy as to whether they take place or not.”

There are also several international series scheduled, with West Indies Women hosting South Africa Women from May 30 to June 10 in Jamaica and Trinidad, and West Indies A taking on South Africa A from June 10 to July 9 in Antigua and Barbados.

New Zealand and South Africa’s men’s senior teams are also expected to tour the Caribbean in July and August.

Already, the coronavirus has infected over 125 500 people worldwide and resulted in 4600 deaths.

It has forced the suspension of the National Basketball League (NBA) and other sporting events in the United States where nearly 40 deaths have been reported.

PAGE 32

Friday March 13, 2020

Kaieteur News

Centre For Guyanese Progress issues Scholarships Glasgow, Ezekiel Pellew and to three St. Georges High students - Curwin Sierra Samuels are beneficiaries The Centre For Guyanese Progress (CFGP) has issued scholarships to three underprivileged students.

The student’s who attends the St Georges High School were selected for their sporting and academic performances and the enormous economic challenges that they face.

It was revealed by the school that the students who have shown significant potential in sports have been doing well but have been handicapped in excelling holistically owing to the economic and financial difficulties that they have been encountering.

The scholarship, which is an initiative of a Teacher at the school, Mashaka Scott, was presented yesterday following a brief presentation ceremony.

Deputy Head Teacher Ms. Donna Zammett who is the current Head Teacher (ag) said that she was moved by the performances and significant potential of the students, thus the reason she endorsed the initiative after Miss Scott suggested same, thus the request to the NGO for their assistance.

“These three students have been doing very well but because of the difficulties and challenges that they are faced with, it’s very hard for their

Deputy Head Teacher, Ms. Donna Zammett and CFGP’s Gavin Alleyne exchange pleasantries. parents to take care of their academic pursuits,” Zammett said.

She noted that it is because of this she felt it was a good idea to approach the NGO and was pleased with the response, stating that it is a demonstration of the genuine interest in educational and sporting growth and development by its founders.

“I was moved by the instant positive response and to see that they were readily prepared to come on board to lend valuable support, this has stood out in my mind. I trust that others would seek to emulate the efforts and

actions of these young men as it is an indication that we still, have persons in this country who cares about the growth and development of others, especially our children,” Zammette said.

Meanwhile, Miss Scott said that the students will receive support with acquiring their school texts, sporting pursuits and other school supplies including stationary, books as well as financial assistance to aid them in getting to and from school.

“I was pleased with the package that was put together for the students and I trust that other persons,

companies and organisations would seek to come on board and help so that we can reach more students as I can tell you that there are quite a number of students who definitely need the assistance that these students are receiving,” she said.

Scott said that the support being given is a genuine demonstration of love and affection, noting that the students were elated to have benefitted. She also noted the gratitude expressed by the parents of the students.

“The parents are extremely happy as it is certainly a significant help to them especially in a time like

this and further the students themselves know that they can achieve more because of the support and assistance that has been given to them, which should result in improved grades resulting in a more molded individuals,” Scott posited.

Gavin Alleyne, one of the founders of the CFGP, speaking at the presentation said that they started the NGO with the intention of providing needed help. He said that they were approached and immediately agreed to assist, recognizing that education is one of the most important pillars in society.

Aylleyne stated that they will continue to support initiatives and projects like these, stressing that they welcome requests and would seek to assist as much as they can.

“There are a lot of requests that are coming in and we will seek to help as many persons as we can because we firmly believe that providing valuable support and assistance will go a very far way in strengthening a damaged society,” he said.

He urged the students to maximize the opportunities that have been given to them reminding that not many persons have such an opportunity. He urged them to maintain good grades, while never losing sight and focus that education is the best way and choice in life.

He added that they are

now expected to be positive role models to their peers and others within society and their classrooms.

“Do your best at all times as you must never lose sight and focus of what you are aiming for. I trust that you will recognize that you are role models and as such, a lot is expected of you and I hope that you will continue to demonstrate the high level of patience, intelligence, good mannerism and a focused sign to achieving one’s set goals,” he declared.

The three students, Curwin Glasgow, Ezekiel Pellew and Sierra Samuels expressed their thanks and gratitude while reminding their Head Teacher that they will not disappoint as they are focused on doing their best.

“We are truly grateful and thankful for this as it is a surprise to us as we never thought that I was going to get this level of support,” Glasgow said.

Ezekiel Pellew was unavoidably absent but indicated when contacted that he is very happy, noting that the support will help in his all-round development.

Sierra Samuels shared similar sentiments as Pellew, stating that he is grateful to the CFGP and those who played an important part in securing the scholarships.

Samuels declared, “This is certainly a blessing to me and I am very thankful, we will make the best use of it”.

Kaieteur News

Friday March 13, 2020

Coronavirus fears force GABA postponement of Andrew Ifill Knockout tournament Following the announcement of the country’s first case of the COVID-19 virus, the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) said yesterday that they have decided to postpone the start of their inaugural Andrew Ifill Knockout tournament.

President of the Association, Jermaine S l a t e r, r e v e a l e d i n a statement that the postponement of the tournament which would’ve bounced off on Sunday was agreed upon after the G A B A’ s a f f i l i a t e d players/clubs, reached out in concern, especially after President David Granger called for public gatherings to be discouraged in an address to the nation on Wednesday.

“Despite only having one known case, the GABA is as strong as our members (clubs, players and officials)

Jermaine Slater and as such, we are here to make our playing environment one where persons are comfortable and safe,” Salter highlighted.

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Second Lieutenant, who was elected to the helm of the GABA in January, noted that, “GABA will keep an ear to the ground and wait for a word on the country’s medical minds on when it will be best-suited to host the Andrew Ifill Knockout tournament, and other planned tournaments.”

(Continued on page 25)

PAGE 33

Rising Scorchers is Essequibo’s latest cricket club Some members of the new, Rising Scorchers Cricket Club.

W

hile some teams in S o u t h Essequibo continue to ‘import’ players with the sole intention of winning rather than investing in the youths with the aim of building, one man is on a ‘mission’ to change this culture.

M r. C h r i s t o p h e r Latchman, popularly known as ‘Chris’ has devised a plan to ensure the youths living w i t h i n t h e Supenaam/Pomona communities are meaningfully occupied with the formation of the Rising Scorchers Cricket Club (RSCC) which was birthed on the 13th January, 2020.

Latchman who would have represented Essequibo in 2012 at the Under-15 inter County level has his eyes set on nurturing players who can compete at the Inter County and national levels, successfully.

“My main goal is to provide a conducive environment for the youths to utilise their potential to the fullest with the hope that they go on to represent their

county, country and even beyond. Though this may seem far away, Latchman is working overtime using his personal resources to make this dream a reality.

According to the 21 yearold Latchman, a positive role model in his community, “The satisfaction of seeing youngsters blossom in their cricketing journey brings immense joy and pride to my heart. These youngsters are very talented, but because organised cricketing opportunities are not

provided for them, I’ve decided to take it upon myself to make something literally profitable out of these youths.”

The RSCC are currently competing against a New Opportunity Corp Under-19 side in a five match two innings series. After the completion of two matches, RSCC has recorded two draws with notable performances coming from Deron Brandon (5-20), Rodney Sampson (8 wickets) as well as

encouraging batting displays

by Mahindra Basdeo and Odel Patterson.

Latchman was in high praise for Mr. Forbes Daniels, the renowned Essequibo cricket coach whose contribution to the club is beyond measure.

Latchman is expressing thanks to the parents and well wishers of his charges for their overwhelming support. Anyone who wishes to make a donation to this emerging club can contact Latchman on 613 5650.

Centre For Guyanese Progress issues Scholarships to three St. Georges High students

CFGP’s Gavin Alleyne (left), Sierra Samuels Curwin Glasgow, Deputy Head Teacher Ms. Donna Zammett along with Teachers, Ms. Tracey Kingston, Ms. Yumanda Bobb and Ms. Mashaka Scott at the presentation.

Absent is Ezekiel Pellew, one of the three students to benefit.

- Curwin Glasgow, Ezekiel Pellew and Sierra Samuels are beneficiaries

rt o p S Regional Four-Day Championship

Guyana take first day honours in must win clash against Barbados

Tokyo 2020 torch lit behind closed doors in ancient Olympia Greek actress Xanthi Georgiou, left, playing the role of the High Priestess, holds the torch during the flame lighting ceremony. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Keemo Paul took 3-61

Coronavirus fears force GABA postponement of Andrew Ifill Knockout tournament

Early Season Classic on tomorrow

Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.