16 NEWS Persons who refuse COVID-19 vaccine endangering lives of others – Ramsammy FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
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ormer Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy said that Guyana could only get out of the pandemic if persons adhere to the guidelines outlined by the Health Ministry and by taking the vaccine. Those who refuse to take the vaccines, the former Minister, who now functions as an advisor to the current Health Minister, said, are endangering the lives of others and he called them reckless. Dr Ramsammy noted that it is a life-or-death decision that has to be made
literally, adding that each time persons leave their homes, they should be wearing a face mask and also ensure that they are following the Public Health guidelines. The former Health Minister made these comments while addressing the Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) COVID-19 Taskforce, pointing out that those who want to make the wearing of face masks an option were making living an option. According to the former Health Minister, the novel coronavirus existing in Guyana in April 2021 is not
the same virus that Guyana was dealing with in March 2020. "This is a virus that is now attacking young people and making them sick. This virus is not only making people sick, it is making them sick faster and deteriorating more rapidly," he explained. In noting that previously the virus was affecting older persons with comorbidities, Dr Ramsammy pointed out that healthy young persons were now being affected by the virus. He noted that it does not necessarily require comor-
CDC warns of heavy rainfall, flooding this weekend
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he National Weather Watch Centre has reported that moderate to heavy rainfall is expected this weekend from Friday to Sunday. According to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), coastal areas should receive heavy rainfall particularly in the early-morning hours, with up to four inches of rain over a 24-hour period. In addition, it was noted that above-normal high tides are forecast and could likely lead to flooding in low-lying, poorly-drained, and riverine areas. The CDC said there
bidity to make persons sicker. Therefore, the continued non-compliance with the public health measures is not only putting people's lives at risk but putting other people's lives at risk. Some, he said, may argue what they do with their lives is their own business. "And, therefore, the Government has taken a decision to strengthen compliance. That is why the Joint Services is now making sure that enforcement is more rigid," the former Health Minister said. In Region Six, Ramsammy pointed out that several Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) have been making arrangements to facilitate vaccinations. This, he said, is in addition to the other facilities set up across the region. On Saturday, the Fyrish/Gibraltar NDC, Kilcoy/Chesney and the municipality of Rose Hall Town will be hosting a com-
Former Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy
munity vaccination programme. Meanwhile, the Port Mourant/Johns NDC, No 52/74 NDC and the Corriverton municipality are all planning similar exercises. In Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) similar programmes have been arranged by NDCs and today, a similar programme is expected to be held at Bush Lot. Today, Dr Ramsammy added that staff members and students of the University of Guyana, who
are 40 years of age and over, will be given their COVID-19 shots. He said it was hoped that 250,000 Guyanese would receive the first dose of the vaccine by June 11, and more than 100,000 would be fully vaccinated. In August of this year according to the former Health Minister, Government is hoping to have between 450,000 persons and 550,000 persons vaccinated. Those are the numbers needed to get close to herd immunity, Dr Ramsammy explained.
Breaching COVID-19 guidelines
was also a possibility of landslides in hilly areas as well. Residents are advised to take all necessary pre-
cautions, especially drivers and road users. The CDC will provide more updates as they become available.
Lindeners who attended private parties given community service
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ight Lindeners who attended private parties were recently charged with breach of restriction on social activities for violating the COVID-19 curfew. Six of the offenders appeared before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Linden Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, where they pleaded guilty to the offence and were each sentenced to perform 20 hours of community service. The offenders were Leandre Richards of 228 Half Mile, Wismar, Linden;
Dexter Armstrong of 231 Coomacka Mines; Jermaine Peters of 33 Amelia's Ward; Shane Bizzeth of 198 Third Street, Silvertown; Nickoli George of 14 West Watooka and Jacob Williams, also of 14 West Watooka.
Two others, who were charged – Kester Greene of Lot 434 Wisroc Housing Scheme and Roylon Adolph of Industrial Area – failed to appear in court. Their cases were adjourned to April 13, 2021. (G13)
Mon Repos bar robbery
Waitress, man taken into custody
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waitress and a man are currently in custody after they were accused of orchestrating a robbery at a Mon Repos bar. Reports are that the robbery occurred on Wednesday about 20:25h at Sita’s Bar, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD). According to the Police, a 34-year-old of Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was among friends at the bar when he noticed the waitress talking to a man who then collected her
phone and used it. Following the phone call, the man claimed that a fully-masked man in a black hoodie who was armed with a firearm along with two others – one dressed in an orange hoodie and another in a black hoodie, both armed with cutlasses – ran into the bar. Police said one of the men then robbed the 34-year-old man at gunpoint, relieving him of $260,000; one Microsoft Lumina cellphone valued $127,000 and one LG Aristo
cellphone valued $47,000 while the other two bandits targeted the other patrons at the bar. The men then made good their escape. No one was injured during the ordeal. Police said that the waitress and the man were contacted and a search was conducted on their homes, but nothing of evidential value was found. Nevertheless, they are being held at the Beterverwagting Police Station where they remain in custody. Police investigations are ongoing. (G15)
