APNU/AFC P

APNU/AFC supporters flout COVID-19 measures

…gather at elections recount site

Despite COVID-19 whom failed to wear a mask measures preventing or practice social distancing. persons from gathPublic gatherings have ering in large crowds, supbeen limited to no more porters of the A Partnership than five persons but what for National Unity/Alliance occurred outside the ACCC For Change (APNU/AFC) was not adherence to this coalition on Saturday gathmeasure. However, the perered in front of the Arthur sons remained for a while Chung Conference Centre and were later advised by (ACCC) to protest. Police ranks on site to re

In front of the ACCC, move and did not face arwhere the National Recount rests. is ongoing, a makeshift tent This contrasts to the was swarmed with persons wearing green and yelarrest of two People’s Progressive Party/Civic Some APNU/AFC supporters crowding under a makeshift tent near the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) low accoutrements, most of members, who picketed the Foreign Affairs Ministry Courts to answer to the Elections. bands. I have been picketAPNU/AFC now last month and were charged despite practicing social distancing and wearcharge which stated that on May 16, they breached No 2 (1) restriction on social ac

They were brought before the court to answer tivities in the COVID-19 Emergency Measures.

Following the hearing, Kumar said the aim of the charges is to intimidate ing for over 40 years now, and I have never seen such rude Police and this type of berating its agents ing masks.

Kumar was accused of them, but he promised to continue the fight for the restoration of democracy in action. What we were protesting for is for Guyana; is for the people of Guyana for ‘colluding’ the charge of breaching the COVID-19 measures; a charge the Opposition lahosting a meeting of a fraternal civic organisation. The duo was arrested while Guyana.

Former parliamentarian Neil Kumar and Raphael picketing for The Carter Center to be allowed into the country to complete its was protesting peacefully. All of us had our masks on, we were 12 feet away [from Republican Institute] could come back here and be at the recount. This is noncollusion, criminal collusion,” Bond aid while berating the Boodhoo appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ observation of the March 2, General and Regional each other], and we had our peaceful picket hand sense that is going on in this country!” Kumar noted. very agents his party claimed were highly trained.

“This is extremely frustrating! What we were doing we were protesting for; so that The Carter Center and the IRI [International with PPP/C belled as intimidation.

APNU/AFC Executive Member, James Bond, on Electors] or these PO simply marked ‘x’ for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic and put it in the ballot box,” Bond said before going off on a tangent.

However, the attorney-at-law did not stop at accusing his party’s agent but also turned to the GECOM officers as well.

“There is no list in the box. The council [PPP/C] procured the PO [Presiding Officers] in the Polling Stations and allowed them to issue ballots APNU Executive James Bond [to] people who were never on the OLE [Official List of A s the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change coalition continues to make unsubstantiated claims of electoral fraud, the party is now accusing its own polling agents of colluding with its biggest competitor – the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C).

Facebook live on Saturday threw their polling day agents under the proverbial bus, accusing them of collusion.

“Persons are saying that APNU agents were there [at the Polling Station]. Those agents, so-called agents, that persons are saying that they belonged to APNU/ AFC that were in those places when these things happened, shame on you. If you were there at all, shame on you. Shame on you because it is impossible for us to accept that it is anything but tional elections recount results exposed that Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, inflated the votes in favour of the APNU/AFC. No one from the APNU/AFC has acknowledged the blatant fraud on their behalf by Mingo. Prior to the revelations of Mingo’s fraud, the APNU/AFC had claimed victory to the March 2 polls. For one week they hosted victory parties at the Lamaha Street, Georgetown head office based on the now discredited and fraudulent figures.

One of the APNU/AFC victory parties at Lamaha Street, Georgetown, which was based on the now discredited and fraudulent figures

The APNU/AFC has been peddling the narrative of elections fraud, claiming that ‘migrated’ and ‘dead’ persons voted on E-Day. However, these unconfirmed narratives only began after the na

22 NEWS SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM Despite SoRs matching SoPs 29 ballot boxes from PPP’s ECD strongholds held up by GECOM

...Lowenfield, Mingo claim they did not receive requisitioned documents

The Guyana Elections not be included in the tabulined the rules that govern uments?? I’ll leave that one PPP/C Elections Agent, C o m m i s s i o n lation at this point in time. the operations of the POs Presiding officer speaks out for the smart people to figure Anil Nandlall had said that (GECOM) has placed The commission then dibut those were disregardHowever, Presiding out. Let’s hope they publish this was raised with Mingo, 29 ballot boxes, from Polling rected the Chief Elections ed. The PPP/C raised this isOfficer of Montrose Primary the names of these DROs who acknowledged the misStations between Ogle Officer, Keith Lowenfield sue with the then Returning School, Wendy Ann has and the joint statement they take and assured that it and Lusignan, East Coast to investigate the matter. Officer, Clairmont Mingo, since taken to social media made.” would be rectified. Demerara, on hold until it However, several of the prewho assured them that it to dispute GECOM’s rhetocan decide the way forward siding officers have since inwas a mistake and would be ric on the issue. Mingo’s instructions PPP/C argues against disas it relates to the issues dicated they were instructaddressed administratively. She said in her social meA Deputy Returning enfranchisement of missing ancillary docued by the Returning Officer’s However, now that the dia post that “we were inOfficer (DRO) who worked The People’s Progressive ments. (Clairmont Mingo) clerk to recount is being conductstructed by our DRO to not at the Chateau Margot Party/Civic (PPP/C), fol

This decision was takhand over these documents ed, the CEO and Mingo has put the documents in the Primary School Polling lowing the revelation by en on Friday by GECOM to the Deputy Returning since denied that they are in box.” She said that by now Place, ECD, has written GECOM that the boxes Commissioners and commuOfficers (DROs) in a last receipt of the documents. GECOM should realize that to GECOM Chair, Retired would be placed on hold, arnicated on Saturday to the minute despite they said GECOM has since said it could not be mere coinciJustice Claudette Singh, ingued that no matter what media. was outside of their trainthat the ballots that were in dence that all the PO under forming her that they had redocuments are missing, the

The areas from which ing. This should not have those boxes were counted deone particular DRO did the ceived instructions to place electors should not be disenthe ancillary documents are happened because those docspite the missing documents same thing. ancillary documents sepafranchised. missing are from several uments should have been which the Commission be“You’d expect the most rately from the ballot boxes. “We wish to make it of the Peoples Progressive placed in the corresponding came aware of only after two (2) POs to make the DRO Paul Jaisingh said abundantly clear that Party’s strongholds. Among ballot boxes for the polling the boxes were opened on same mistake, but ALL??? the instruction was passed whatever is the outcome of the missing documents are place. Nevertheless, the POs Friday. These boxes were sealed in down from the Returning GECOM’s investigations of poll books, counterfoils, the sealed the ballot boxes with The Commission has dethe presence of these DROs, Officer, Clairmont Mingo’s their internal issues, not marked (ticked off) Official the votes for their stations. cided that the SORs preyet, nobody can give account Clerk. a single Guyanese elector List of Electors. However, it has pared for those ballot boxfor the missing documents?? In his letter, he stated: must lose their franchise in

Following the discussince been revealed that es should not be included in And now, the DROs released “Please be informed that the process. It is hoped that sions, the Commission deLowenfield, upon the insisthe tabulation at this point this joint statement sayinstructions were given by the Commission will address cided that the SoRs prepared tence of the PPP/C, prepared in time, GECOM said on ing they never instructed Miss Carlyn Duncan (Clerk this matter satisfactorily in for those ballot boxes should a document where he outSaturday. the POs to omit those docto the Returning Officer Mr accordance with the purpose Clairmont Mingo-District of the exercise, which is a re#4) to include only unused, count of the ballots cast on valid and rejected ballots in 2nd March 2020, and conthe ballot boxes. This was sistent with the comment of communicated to the rethe Chairperson at the comspective Presiding Officers mencement of this exercise: who complied. As a result, “Every vote will be counted’,” the other documents were the party said in a statement placed in the bag provided. Saturday night. This instruction was given The party noted that on Election day a few hours rather than dealing with the before the close of the poll. issues internally, GECOM Other Deputy Returning issued several statements in Officers affected by this dean effort to confuse the pubcision can confirm the same.” lic as to what the next move

Additionally, a Presiding is. Officer at the Montrose However, the PPP/C is Primary School – one of demanding to see the letter the disputed polling places, signed by those DROs. took to social media to ex“…another letter from a plain what exactly happened group of Deputy Returning there. Officers, apparently from

She released the followthe East Coast of Demerara ing statement on Friday: but it is unclear who these

“Throughout this entire DROs are and whether election shenanigans, I chose they are from the same geoto remain quiet but now that graphical area under review, the polling place which I where the DROs’ dispute the worked at was brought into controversial instructions. question, I cannot keep quiThis public statement seems et anymore. On behalf of to be in concert with the narthe Presiding Officers that rative and false allegations worked at the Montrose peddled by the APNU+AFC, Primary School, please note aimed at disenfranchising that this is a lie!… All docuelectors in PPP/C strongments for the four (4) Polling holds,” the party said. Stations were submitted to the DRO as per instructions GECOM to summon by the Clerk to the RO… The Presiding Officers original SOP attached would Meanwhile, GECOM in explain the desperation to a statement on Saturday lie! This is beyond ridiculous said it checked the poll bags now! in hope of recovering those

“PS: The Presiding missing documents but they Officers were given specifwere not found. It summoned ic instructions not to seal the DROs, who worked bethe ballot boxes without the tween Ogle to Lusignan to DRO being present to verify explain what transpired on what was placed in the boxes Elections Day but those ofand these instructions were ficers did not turn up to the complied with,” Wendy Ann meeting. However, GECOM wrote on her Facebook page. has not published to names

Several Polling Stations of the DROs who deliberatebetween Vryheid’s Lust and ly missed the meeting. La Bonne Intention, East GEOCM has since Coast Demerara, upon inclaimed that efforts would structions from the Clerk to the Returning Officer for be made to contact the Presiding Officers who were Electoral District Four, left responsible for the respecancillary documents out of tive Polling Stations. The the ballot boxes. The docuCommission will convene a ments included the Official meeting to determine the List of Electors, poll books, way forward,” the statement counterfoils, and others. explained.

Recount exposes Mingo’s fraud in Buxton, Melanie, Paradise, Anns Grove ballot boxes

…some boxes had more votes than voters – Nandlall

In one of the most scanthe PPP, 25. On the SoR, the (ballot box 4753), 80 votes the East Coast, contaminated dalous elections in recoalition received 238 votes (ballot box 4750) and 60 (box by Mingo's fraud." cent memory, former and the PPP, 25. However, 4738). "He has cumulatively in Region Four Returning Officer Mingo declared that APNU/ At Anns Grove Secondary flated APNU's votes by the Clairmont Mingo has come un AFC had received 339 votes, School, Mingo converted the thousands, with as much der fire for fraudulently addan increase of 101. 181 APNU/AFC was recorded as over 100 votes in certain ing votes to A Partnership for Ballot box 4743, which was as having in the SoP and SoR, Polling Stations. He had to in National Unity/Alliance For also located in the Melanie into 221, an increase of 40 flate these boxes by extraordiChange (APNU/AFC), and in Nursery School, had APNU/ votes. In all, this publication nary high numbers, to surpass some cases taking away votes AFC receiving 268 votes on the examined SoPs and SoRs for the margin of votes which the from the People’s Progressive SoP and the PPP, five votes. 27 Polling Stations along the PPP was leading APNU by in Party (PPP). On the SoR, APNU/AFC re East Coast which, when com the nine other regions."

The recount currently un ceived 269 votes and the PPP, pared, showed that Mingo deNandlall noted that even derway has revealed votes that five. Nonetheless, Mingo de clared 1516 extra votes in faas the recount draws to a line up almost perfectly with clared that APNU/AFC revour of APNU/AFC. close, more evidence of Mingo's the Statements of Poll (SoPs) ceived 368 votes, gifting the fraudulent tabulation will for Region Four that were re coalition an extra 99 votes. More votes than ballots come to light. According to leased by the PPP. What they A similar story of vote ma In an interview with this him, it was found that in some do not line up with are the fig nipulation exits in the Buxton/ publication, PPP Executive ballot boxes there were more ures that Mingo declared. Friendship polling division. In and it's East Coast agent on votes than voters.

Mingo’s figures would have ballot box 4723 (Friendship Elections Day, Anil Nandlall, "In some boxes, Mingo's noted that Mingo’s fraud was fraudulent number of votes pervasive and the East Coast gifted to APNU/AFC exceed of Demerara (ECD) was no ex ed the number of ballots in the ception. ballot boxes. They got more "Mingo’s fraud in Region votes than the total ballots Four was pervasive. It oc cast, on the East Coast and in curred in certain parts in certain areas in Georgetown Georgetown, on the East too." Bank. And already we have At first willing to accept discovered over 40 boxes on Mingo's declarations as facts,

APNU/AFC has now switched to calling the elections invalid because of alleged voter fraud they uncovered. These include allegations of dead and mi grated voters.

The PPP has since found hundreds of cases where persons whom APNU/AFC claimed were out of the juris diction but voted, were, in fact, present in Guyana at the time of the March 2 General and Regional Elections.

allowed APNU/AFC to win the elections, had it not been for the united condemnation of the local and international community against the lack of credibility when he tabulated the figures.

A sample of just a few lo cations on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) will show ex actly how the votes were manipulated in a futile attempt to rig the elections, gifting APNU/AFC with over 1500 votes it did not earn.

A case in point is ballot box 4739 (Melanie Playfield tent) in the Enterprise division, where the SoP showed APNU/ AFC receiving 263 votes to the 10 received by the PPP. The Statement of Recount (SoR) generated by the recount lines up exactly to these figures. However, Mingo declared that APNU/AFC received 363 votes, an increase of 100.

Ballot box 4737 at a second Polling Station in the Melanie Playfield also showed increas es. Based on the SoP, APNU/ AFC received 236 votes while the PPP received 12. The SoR also shows APNU/AFC receiv ing 237 votes to the PPP’s 12. When Mingo made his decla ration, however, APNU/AFC miraculously gained 287 votes, a 50-vote inflation.

In ballot box 4738 (also in a Melanie Playfield tent), APNU/AFC got 206 votes based on the SoP and SoR, while the PPP received 15 votes. By the time Mingo was through with this ballot box, the number had changed to 266 for APNU/AFC, a 60-vote inflation.

Another case was ballot box 4740 (Melanie Nursery School), also in the Enterprise division. On the SoP, APNU/ AFC received 239 votes and Primary School), both the SoP and the SoR show APNU/AFC as having received 269 votes. But despite the area being widely perceived as an APNU/ AFC stronghold, Mingo felt the need to declare that APNU/ AFC received 299 votes, an in crease of 30.

The media itself has car ried several such exposés, with APNU/AFC claims even be ing denied by a Berbice couple, Shirley and Aubrey Nicholson of Kortberaadt Village, who said that not only were they in Guyana on Elections Day, they voted for the coalition.

A plethora of other persons have also come forward de bunking the coalition’s claims that they were out of the coun try on Elections Day.

Other boxes

There is also the case of ballot box 4724 (Buxton/ Friendship division), at the same Polling Station. Mingo declared APNU/AFC as hav ing received 388 votes… despite the SoP saying the coalition got 358 and the SoR, 357. In contrast, the PPP got two votes. Thus, Mingo inflated APNU/AFC’s votes by 31.

In addition, ballot box 4720 (Buxton Secondary School). The SoP showed APNU/AFC receiving 236 votes to two votes for the PPP. The SoR showed APNU/AFC claim ing 237 votes, with no change to the PPP’s tally. However, Mingo declared 256 votes to APNU/AFC, an inexplicable increase of 19 votes.

The results in other Polling Stations in Buxton were also tampered with, including bal lot box 4721 in Tipperary Hall. There, APNU/AFC got 247 in the SoP and 248 in the SoR. However, Mingo's tabulation showed APNU/AFC with 291 votes.

Mingo added as much as 94 extra votes at the Company Road Primary School Polling Station 4718. APNU/AFC got 337 in both the SoP and SoR, while PPP got 14. However, Mingo declared APNU/AFC as having 431 votes.

Meanwhile, fraudulent figures were a prevalent fea ture in Melanie and Paradise, where Mingo added 70 votes

Political parties must respect recount results – GGDMA A s the curtains draw sworn-in based on non-credstantial assistance will be Ann Lynch, for the US on the much-anible results “will not receive given to an illegitimate reGovernment along with ticipated nationdesired public support and gime. All Guyanese will British High Commissioner, al ballot recount from the international recognition”. face the harsh consequencGreg Quinn, Canadian March 2 polls, the Guyana The statement also highes as access to the fundHigh Commissioner, Gold and Diamond Miners lighted the consequences of ing made available by the Lilian Chatterjee, and Association (GGDMA) has sanctions on the country’s World Bank, the IDB, the the Ambassador of the called on all political parthird-world economy. United Nations, and other European Union, Fernando ties to support and respect The mining association global partners will be meaPonz-Canto. the national elections readded that it is concerngre at best and non-existent Acknowledging “there count. ing that Guyana could face at worst. We urge all parwill be disappointment for

The organisation on sanctions that would cripties to work diligently tothose who have lost”, dipSaturday joined the calls ple our fledgeling economy. wards concluding a sound lomatic representatives for expressed by several inter“We need the support and process that provides the the United States, Canada national and local entities backing of our internationdemocratic outcome that and the European Union that Guyana should move al partners to not only purall Guyanese need and de(EU) called on party leaders forward in a democratic and chase our exports, but also, serve,” the association to commit to constitutional peaceful environment. as a net importer, to give pointed out. reform and reconciliation to

According to the us access to many of the On Friday, the internaensure every Guyanese, reGGDMA, all political pargoods we rely on in our daitional community was very gardless of party affiliation, ties must “respect the proly lives.” vocal about the need for sees how their Government cess of the recount and folAccording to the stakeholders to “peacefulwill work in their best interlow the laws of Guyana. GGDMA, the COVID-19 ly accept the wishes of the est. The GGDMA repeats its pandemic has heightened Guyanese population”, sayAccording to the plenicall for the transition of the need for funding – ing, “as this process conpotentiary representatives, Government to only take something which cannot be cludes, it is important for with the recount process place in line with transparput at risk. all stakeholders to uphold concluded, “those who are ent and democratic princi“Thus far, no signifithe integrity of the process.” elected must take on this ples that lead to credible recant funding for our fight The sentiments were responsibility with humility sults.” against the COVID-19 discommunicated in a joint and demonstrate that they

It further indicated that ease has been forthcoming statement on Friday by will govern for the benefit of any Government that is and it is unlikely that subAmbassadors Sarahevery Guyanese citizen.”

COVID-19 Pandemic: Business continuity planning D uring crisis period, the intellectual resources of a business organization becomes more crucial for the survival and longterm continuity of the business. Business continuity and disaster recovery plans are being tested by rapidly evolving challenges, namely, travel restrictions, and as large-scale remote working becomes a reality (Accenture, 2020).

The spread of COVID-19 has proven to be rapid and difficult to control. Therefore, the means to contain it and actions taken ought to be equally agile and focused. Such actions need to be in line with the organization’s business continuity planning.

Empathetic Leadership and communications are two key areas that aid human resilience in difficult times:

(i) Adopt pragmatic, collaborative approach to help adapt to new ways of running the business and make things happen in a timely, empathetic manner. Recognition where due can help to improve wellbeing and engagement across teams – both locally and globally – which contributes to maintaining business continuity. (ii) Emphasize a strong and active communications strategy when dealing with a major crisis. Communications to employees, clients, suppliers and partners should be rolled out as part of a phased approach. Following the initial priority communications, daily ongoing updates are recommended.

Accenture (2020) recommends the following actions for organizations looking to address what to do immediately, in the short and long term. (1) Prevent: What to do now – take immediate steps to ensure safety and well-being of employees.

Prioritize actions that put your people first and exploit global business services offer: • Enable people to work and connect with colleagues from diverse, safe and secure locations • Create safe and secure working environments through regular sanitization • De-densify workplaces by limiting the number of people working together, curbing large meetings and ensuring that protocols are followed in canteens, elevators and areas of common use. • Limit all non-essential business travel and client visits. • Align with local health and safety guidelines (2) Prepare: what to do next – identify priority processes and establish a command center to manage virtual workforce. • Take actions to meet the needs of key stakeholders: identify priorities - Critical processes, including functions such as employee payroll, healthcare and supply chain (to keep goods moving and services ongoing). - Highly important processes and other services such as payments and necessary services in healthcare, insurance and banking. - Important / other processes such as order management and reporting. • Establish a command center for a virtual workforce to measure quality, productivity, compliance, insights and intelligence, people engagement and workforce well-being. (3) Predict: What to do for the long-term – be proactive and establish a comprehensive, customer – oriented plan that is sustainable.

Prioritize actions that will help you pre-empt the impact of volatility:

• Bring together highly skilled, distributed teams that can log in anytime, anywhere and deliver on customer commitments at scale. • Build a broader ecosystem around the organization’s workforce to enable collaboration across a broader set of priorities – including health care and childcare. This will lead to improved morale and engagement levels resulting in better business outcomes.

Five steps to operational resilience

1) Establish a resilient culture: in a highly volatile world, being calm, dedicated and compassionate in all situations should be actively encouraged. Organizations should continue to execute work in a collaborative manner – with critical knowledge workers augmented by digital capabilities. Success depends on proactively addressing and managing critical situations through applying innovative solutions. Identify opportunities to adapt and reshape priorities and develop new business models to create an evolved work environment. 2) Create broader ecosystems based on social collaboration: move beyond employee workspaces to broader ecosystems that employees can access, such as healthcare or childcare. Consider how all these environments can be woven into new forms of collaboration with an improved sense of corporate social responsibility. How executives think and plan for employee expenses is likely to change to include home offices, childcare support etc. An organization’s workforce could include niche, skilled, flexible and part-time workers who form part of its broader ecosystem. 3) Employ agile, elastic work models: the best combination of working from home and office, depending on the nature and type of work and relevant skills required, can be enabled by technology, data, security, and cloud computing. Current investments in technology and the related infrastructure make such scenarios possible; in the future, this fluid approach is likely to become the new normal. Elastic workplaces using agile leading practices, align with millennial expectations – “log in anywhere anytime” – employment that focus on key priorities across business functions such as finance and human resources to resolve new or unexpected issues. -----Cited from Accenture, Continuity in Crisis (2020).

To be continued…

By: JC. Bhagwandin, MSc., Exec Cert.

(The author is a macro-finance and research analyst, lecturer and business & financial consultant. The views expressed are exclusively his own and do not necessarily represent those of this newspaper and the institutions he represents. For comments, send to jbbankingadvice@gmail.com).

NEWS 25 SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM “I love this country” – overjoyed stranded Guyanese

…as 137 return home …over 1000 stuck in US – GCAA Director

A passenger being disinfected upon arrival at CJIA

One hundred and thirand well given that the ty-seven Guyanese US is one of those counreturned to their tries that was walloped by home soil on Saturday afCOVID-19. ter being stranded in the “I have been out of United States amid the Guyana since February coronavirus pandemic for 19, 2020, and it feels fanover three months. tastic that I have a second

The passengers arlife right now being back in rived at the Cheddi Jagan Guyana. I miss my country International Airport via terribly…When the aircraft Eastern Airlines flight 321, touch down, tears came. I which came directly from am happy to be home,” he the Miami International posited. Airport. Some 1000 These stranded Guyanese have been Guyanese have been pleadstranded in the United ing with authorities to help States following the closure them return home, as such, of Guyana’s borders, includlast month, they received ing airspace, from March 18 approval by the Guyana - one week after recording Government to be repatriits first imported COVID-19 ated. death. However, before they

A feeling of relief comreturned, they had to combined with a whirlwind of plete a repatriation form other high emotions conand submit a COVID-19 sumed the passengers who Polymerase Chain Reaction relayed to <<<Guyana (PCR) test 48 hours prior Times>>> that they are to arrival, which had to be delighted to be home with sent to the Foreign Affairs their families. Ministry and then to the

“I love this country, and Public Health Ministry. I could not wait to come Only persons with negative home, and I thank God that results were permitted to I am here and without no return. sickness. I was over there Director General of since the 8 of March, and I the Guyana Civil Aviation was quarantined over there Authority (GCAA), Lt Col all the time, I never leave to (ret’d) Egbert Field stated go anywhere,” those were that he is happy that these the words of Drupappie persons were able to return Mohan – a Guyanese who home without any glitchhad been stranded in the es given that the Foreign US for three months. Affairs Ministry only start

Another incoming pased the process two weeks senger, Nicole Griffith, ago. stated that she was in the “A lot had to be done for US since February but got this to be very successful. stuck there before she could There were a lot of logistihave returned to Guyana. cal problems because some

“I am happy to be back. of these passengers were It is an extraordinary feelscatted all over the United ing to be back where I beStates,” he stated. long, but it does not end The Head is calling for here. There are a lot more the Foreign Affairs Ministry people that are left behind, to start the selections proand the struggle contincess early, given that there ues for them,” Griffith exare over 1000 stranded plained. Guyanese in the US.

Further, this publiOnce that is done, he is cation caught up with urging the authorities to alformer Deputy Mayor low passengers to provide of Georgetown, Lionel their test results to the airJaikaran, who explained line rather than having it that he is happy he is alive submitted to the Foreign

Affairs Ministry and then the Public Health Ministry.

“From the GCAA, I would advise that those PCR tests should not be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Public Health. They should be retained by the passenger and the airline should take the responsibility to ensure that the passengers [have] a negative PCR test,” the GCAA Head posited.

He also explained to this publication that the relevant authorities in Guyana are currently working on having some stranded Guyanese in Trinidad and some 70 students in Barbados repatriated to Guyana in the coming weeks.

Lionel Jaikaran

He noted that another flight is expected to arrive sometime during the new week. Further, in welcoming the passengers, caretaker Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence stated that the flight was possible due to measures put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“The fact that today [Saturday] we can be

Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lt Col (ret’d) Egbert Field

able to open our airport for Guyanese who are in various countries, today [Saturday], we specifically looked at the USA to begin to come home is because we would have been able to put in place several elements needed to ensure that we will be able to cushion any

Nicole Griffith

effects that will spill out from persons travelling from high-risk countries to Guyana,” she stated.

These persons are now mandated to spend one week in self-quarantine at home. Over the course of the seven days, they are not permitted to leave their homes for any reason other than to seek emergency medical attention. (Shemar Alleyne)