Guyana Times Thursday 19, 2020

Guyana being deprived of opportunity for global respect – Sir Shridath Ramphal

P13

…urges Guyana’s interest be placed above narrow considerations Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4230

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020

PRICE

GECOM, APNU/AFC destruction of democracy: Day 18

“We cannot continue to hold up an entire nation with selfish action” – Ali

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Police must be used to protect, not limit civil rights ꟷ former P14 Top Cop …urges GPF not to “throw away honour to the dogs”

Page 3

…PPP will continue fight for democracy ꟷ Jagdeo …as PSC, GCCI slam Police's growing hostility towards party agents, observers

Public outrage over Granger’s COVID-19 edict See story on page 10

...seen as potentially violative of citizens' constitutional rights …Health Minister’s wide powers would be unlawful otherwise—AG admits

NEW GPC ramps up production of COVID-19 treatment Page 9

…first in Caribbean to do so Serious, persistent electoral Amid post-election chaos Page Norway puts 15 malpractice in Guyana – Commonwealth observers brake on climate NEW GPC manufacturing plant at Farm, East Bank Demerara

…cite failure of GECOM to stop blatant disregard of rule of law

Page 7

aid to Guyana Page 7

Guyana records 5th COVID-19 case

P15 Fire set to PPP/C activist's home

Govt failed to adequately enforce P13 labour laws – US State Dept

…points to discrimination against unions

Security P11 boosted outside diplomatic missions after threats of mass protest

P15 No party permits will be granted ꟷ Police

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THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, March 19 – 02:00h – 03:30h and 14:30h – 16:00h and Friday, March 20 – 03:00h – 04:30h and 14:30h – 16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

“We cannot continue to hold up an entire nation with selfish action” – Ali

…PPP will continue fight for democracy – Jagdeo

Thursday, March 19 –13:30h – 15:00h and Friday, March 20 –14:15h – 15:45h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times - 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily

WEATHER TODAY

Sunny conditions will prevail during the day. There will be partly cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to North NorthEasterly between 1.34 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 13:27h reaching a maximum height of 2.13 metres.

Low Tide: 06:57h and 19:37h reaching minimum heights of 1.21 metres and 1.02 metres.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2020

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PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo

P

residential Candidate of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Dr Irfaan Ali, has called out incumbent President David Granger for failing to uphold the agreement he signed onto for the conduct of a regionally-supervised national recount of the March 2, 2020 polls.

In a statement on social media about the latest delay tactics by the APNU/AFC Coalition, Ali pointed out on Wednesday that it was expected that the agreement would have been implemented without any delays, so that Guyana is not “held hostage to selfish” actions and desires.

He noted that since Tuesday’s events, he has been bombarded with questions as to why the President would have his party subvert the very process he signed onto.

On Monday, President Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo signed an ‘aide memoire’ to facilitate a national recount, for which the Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley, had fielded an independent, high-level, regional team to supervise.

However, without commencing the process, the CARICOM team was forced to withdraw their services three days after arriving in Guyana, following a High Court injunction that was obtained on Tuesday by an APNU/AFC candidate - Ulita Grace Moore - blocking the recount.

On this note, Ali posited that “we in the PPP/C continue to call on all right-thinking Guyanese to ensure that our democracy is secured, and the way to securing this is to ensure that the recount is done, completed without any further delays. Whatever the result of the recount is, we have to all live by (it). We cannot continue to hold up an entire nation with selfish action. So, it’s time for us to move forward with this recount – a recount that every stakeholder has committed themselves to.”

The PPP/C Presidential Candidate further noted that Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh; the Elections Commission itself, the international community, CARICOM, and the key political players have all committed themselves to this recount. As such, he questioned the motive behind the further delaying tactic.

“What do they hope to

achieve with these delays?

What is in the best interest of Guyana today? The best interest of Guyana today is our democracy. We all as Guyanese have a right to stand up and protect our democracy, our freedom, the rule of law, respect, dignity, being part of the international community and regional bodies, the rights of our people, our economy, our health, the future of our country, avoiding sanctions. These are things that are key to us as Guyanese and Guyana as a country,” he stressed.

According to Ali, all of these issues can be fixed by ensuring that the recount is done and a legitimate government is sworn in. This, he noted, is all the PPP/C, along with the international community, regional bodies and local stakeholders, including majority of Guyanese, are calling for.

“This is not the time for us to play with our future.

This is not the time for us to have selfish desires, this is not the time for divisive politics. After the recount is completed, whoever receive the seat of government have an important responsibility… These issues are destroying our international reputation, these issues that are making us the laughing stock for the rest of the world,” he posited.

On this note, the PPP/C Presidential Candidate outlined the importance of fixing these issues, particularly in the interest of every Guyanese, and ensuring that they are part of the future of a transformed Guyana – something which all stakeholders should be included in.

“We have to be able to build trust among each other.

We have to bring down the barriers of division. We have

PPP/C Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali

to find a common ground in which we can work to empower our people to ensure all our people feel as if they have a stake in our country, in our future – a common ground in which threats and high-handed behaviour will not be tolerated; a common ground in which all our people can live in a free society in which they can look forward to a future in a democratic platform, where their rights are protected and their votes are respected. These are the things that are key, and to do this, we have to move this process forward and get the legitimate government sworn-in,” Ali asserted.

Fight for democracy

Jagdeo, who is also the General Secretary of the

Incumbent President David Granger

People’s Progressive Party (PPP), also took to his social media page on Wednesday to call out the forces seeking to derail the electoral process.

Among those he cited were figures in the Police Force.

“I want to assure Guyanese that we are fighting tirelessly against the attempted coup by the APNU+AFC, GECOM operatives, and elements of the Police Force. We are not alone in this struggle for decency and freedom,” he contended.

Jagdeo further added that, “The international community and many Guyanese organisations and individuals are part of the fight. At some point in time, you too may have to join this fight. Stay calm and await guidance. And please take all the necessary measures to stay safe from the Coronavirus.”

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guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020

Views An open letter to President David Granger

Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

The Rig-a-thon

W

ith verified and credible results still to be declared for the March 02 elections, Guyana continues to slide further into the depths of illegitimate and undemocratic rule. The genesis of the current state of affairs lies with President David Granger and Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Through its Chief Elections Officer (CEO), the first public step was taken to try and declare unverified results. The Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo’s now infamous spreadsheet is synonymous with electoral rigging.

From there, it went downhill with the Returning Officer (RO) of Region 4, twice declaring unverified and even different results with the direct intent of giving victory to the APNU/AFC. On both occasions, the international community and local stakeholders deemed his actions as lacking transparency and the results not credible.

That said, it seems inconceivable why the simple process of verification and accurate tabulation of votes cast for Region 4, is yet to be done. More baffling, is the fact that President David Granger, having claimed he does not want to be sworn in with results that lack credibility and therefore sought CARICOM’s intervention to supervise a recount, is now lamenting the departure of the Regional body’s high-level team It’s baffling in the context that it was an APNU/AFC affiliate who sought and was successful in getting an injunction to stop the very recount Mr. Granger asked CARICOM’s assistance for. It’s a classic example of giving with one hand and taking with the other only this time the world saw the sleight of hands.

Despite whatever may be happening in the coalition, Mr. Granger, if he is serious about transparency, could have stopped the filing of the injunction to allow CARICOM to commence the recount. His actions therefore raise suspicions as to whether he genuinely wants to have this imposed impasse to be resolved in a transparent manner so that Guyana and Guyanese can move on.

His consistency in defying the constitution does not offer hope of genuineness. Surely, CARICOM and its Chair must be embarrassed by his action not withstanding that resources and people’s time were wasted and the hopes of Guyanese for a swift and transparent resolution, evaporated before their eyes.

Events prior and after March 02, leave no doubt that the APNU/ AFC coalition is bent at holding on to power at any cost even if it means compromising the country’s image and the wellbeing of its citizens. In the said context, there seems no doubt of a sinister collaboration with some compromised officials at GECOM and APNU/AFC high-ranking officials.

How else can the fraudulent results be explained?

The answer lies the proverbial rigging that characterizes the People’s National Congress (PNC) which Mr. Granger leads and which, in reality, is the coalition. T Likewise, the answer to the tired question of, if APNU/AFC are so confident that it won, why resist every attempt to have a recount of the Region 4 ballots, would more than likely point to rigging. It seems Mr. Granger may have scuttled his own attempt to save face given APNU/ AFC’s injunction to stop the recount.

Historically, the PNC rigged its way throughout its tenure of almost three decades. Here again, in these modern times, it seems impossible for it to relieve itself of such propensity. The biggest irony is that Mr. Granger campaigned on the platform of honesty and decency and the coalition’s campaign thrust was centered around him.

Clearly, what the RO for Region 4 did in the presence of all, could never be decent or honest as are the results he twice declared. Given the suspected collaboration between some GECOM staff and the APNU/ AFC, the RO’s forthright and deliberate actions in question, cannot be in isolation. Why would he, after making his second declaration, deny all the Parties their constitutional right for a recount of Region 4?

Giving him the benefit of knowing right from wrong, he must have been aware that his actions were undemocratic and lacked transparency.

A transparent recount would therefore unravel whatever skullduggery might have taken place; hence the attempts to shut it down. That’s makes it easy to understand the APNU/AFC’s injunction even when CARICOM was present to supervise the recount.

None can deny that something stinks and the recent attempts to remove Party officials and Observers from the compound that houses the containers with the ballot boxes, offer an insight to the source of the stench.

As it is, Guyanese are resisting all attempts by the APNU/AFC and their collaborators to trample on democracy. The unison of the Parties and the steadfastness of the international community to not accept unverified results and a process that lacks transparency, is vital to this new struggle.

The efforts of all stakeholders, is also crucial for it must be made clear to Mr. Granger and his coalition that rigging has no place in our society.

Despite their sustained efforts through the ongoing rig-a-thon, the international community has already sent strong signals of intent if the RO’ results are used to swear in a government. In the best interest of Guyana and Guyanese, at least Mr. Granger can do the decent thing and listen and allow for honest results. After all, that’s his campaign’s theme.

Dear Mr President, I respectfully pen this open letter to you via the media in the hope that you would realise the national importance I have attached to taking this step.

I am placing my neck on the line that you are being manipulated by persons who do not have the best interest of our beloved Guyana at heart, and who are prepared to hold you hostage to their own evil intentions, and to manipulate you and the Constitution of this country to achieve their own personal and collective goals, unbothered by the catastrophic impact their actions to date are having on national morale; on the fears and anxieties of all Guyanese, whether or not they are supporters of your political party.

If perhaps you had read my earlier letters, you would have noted that I hold no brief for any political party.

By choice, I have never voted in any national and regional elections, because I pledged to serve my country and not any political party. My loyalty is to the Constitution, and you and all of your predecessors, as presidents and commanders-in-chief, knew this and respected me as a professional.

How else do you think I was appointed to, or held very senior positions in, the Armed Forces; then as Chairman of GECOM, as head of Conservation International Guyana, CEO of GTT, Chairman of NAREI, Chairman of the GGMC, Chairman of the Protected Area Trust; and as a non-political special assistant to three presidents, including you, sir, until after having been deemed by you to be not a ‘fit and proper person’; whereupon, as a principle, I chose to resign from all government appointments?

I record these things not to beat my own drum, but to emphasise that there are certain principles which must be held as sacred if we are to live our lives in unselfish service to our country and to our fellow citizens. You are at the crossroads, where you have to now choose between pampering a cabal who bode you no good and who certainly have neither the national interest nor your interest at heart.

In their warped, self-centred way, they are manipulating the Constitution, the Supreme Law, and their allies in various national institutions and services of this land to serve their purposes.

It matters not to me which political party has the majority votes and forms the

Government. What matters to me -- and I am sure to all right-thinking Guyanese, as well as the regional and international communities -- is that the electoral process reflects the will of the people through democratically held elections that are managed through processes that reflect transparency, integrity and adherence to the rule of law and to the Constitution.

Puzzled Mr President, I am puzzled by the fact that an election, which for all intents and purposes went smoothly on March 2, has degenerated into a witches’ brew of mismanagement by GECOM; where there are misinformation, threats, violence, excessive use of force, manipulation of officers and ranks, and propaganda spun by spin doctors weaving a web of deceit; and in which you seem to be entrapped.

The assessments of accredited local, regional and international observers must have been known to you, and yet you seemed to shelter under the false premise that because you allowed the GECOM to function without interference, you were somehow absolved of complicity in the deteriorating governance of the electoral process, which has made this country the laughing stock of the region, and is causing this country to rapidly degenerate into a pariah state in the assessment of those who, rightly or wrongly, are the determinants of what constitutes a failed state.

I was heartened, Mr President when, last Sunday, in this Season of Lent, and like Saul on the road to Damascus, you had an epiphany, perhaps finally awakening to the realization -- as your courageous son-in-law Dominic Gaskin did -- that something was rotten in the governance of the electoral process, and that you needed to act independently and decisively to salvage your legacy and redeem the pride lost. This was acknowledged in the statement made by the Chair of Caricom on Tuesday, 17 March 2020.

Hon Mia Mottley stated that the fielding of the Caricom Team had been at your request on Saturday, 14 March 2020, and that “its mission was to supervise the recounting of the ballots in Region 4 of the General and Regional Elections of 2 March 2020 in Guyana”. She further stated: “Given that the tabulation process has been widely viewed as not being transparent or credible,

President Granger and Mr Bharrat Jagdeo, Leader of the Opposition, agreed that the only possible solution was by way of a recount supervised by an independent team. This was seen as a significant contribution to bolstering the transparency and legitimacy of the electoral process”.

Not surprisingly, the Chair of Caricom yesterday conveyed to us this telling message: “It is clear that there are forces that do not want to see the votes recounted, for whatever reason”. And dramatically, she stated: “Any Government which is sworn in without a credible and fully transparent vote count process would lack legitimacy”.

Mr President, this statement comes from your colleague, the Hon Prime Minister of Barbados, and not from some foreign representative of a super power, whom we seem fond of accusing of interference or of “talking down” to us.

Serious allegations In my book, the Chair of Caricom made serious allegations, and since you were the one to request the Caricom team to supervise the recounting of the ballots in Region#4 (subsequently extended to all the ten Districts), I believe we are owed an explanation from you, sir, as to what conspiracy is afoot that would sabotage your laudable initiative, which was agreed to by the Leader of the Opposition and made possible by the Chair of Caricom and her colleague Heads of Government, three of whom accompanied her to Guyana to send a strong message of support, care and concern for our country, a member of the Caricom family, and for the wellbeing of all Guyanese.

That such a commendable initiative should be stillborn as a result of an injunction originating from your own party sends a worrying message that, either you are being Machiavellian, or being manipulated, or you have simply lost control over the actions of members of your own inner circle.

Whatever may be the reason for this embarrassment to you, to us citizens, and to our country’s image, it is no trivial matter. If the minions who are behind this conspiracy are not identified and excised like a cancerous tumour from the body politic, we will all suffer from the contamination, and the penalties we are likely to be faced with are an illegitimate Government and being deemed a pariah State.

Mr President, I have always held you in high esteem as a colleague and friend of nearly six decades. I have forgiven you for classifying me and other nominees for the Chairmanship of GECOM as “not fit and proper persons”, but I will not forgive you if you fail to do the honourable duty of calling off the dogs of war and excise them condignly from wherever they are hatching their moves and counter-moves.

Long-suffering We, longsuffering Guyanese, fooled by mirages of a good life, are hurting, are embarrassed, and are angry. Let this poisoned chalice pass, Mr President. If you feel you are boxed in a corner and need reinforcements, then there are enough Guyanese of goodwill and decency who would rise to the occasion and ensure the recount is completed transparently and with alacrity.

Whichever political party is finally declared to have the majority votes must be acknowledged as legitimate, and be allowed to form the Government. Such a Government must be prepared to govern in the best interest of all Guyanese, and with such inclusivity and consensus as would facilitate a sustained process of reform that all have promised yet failed to deliver to successive generations.

Mr President, when the Chair of Caricom was about to depart Guyana, she had an engagement with the media in which she stated to all Guyanese that the stability of our country was in the hands of the Returning Officer of District 4. You know only too well what has transpired since that statement. It is now your duty to exercise the leadership responsibilities vested in you, and to direct, with GECOM, the peaceful and orderly completion of the electoral process by ensuring the mission is accomplished; that is, the agreed recount of all ballots cast in the Guyana 2020 General and Regional Elections in an environment conducive to security, transparency, integrity, and credibility of the results.

If the mission succeeds, it will be a positive contribution to your legacy. I have high expectations that you will not fail us.

Thank you, Mr President, Yours sincerely, Joseph G Singh Major General (retd)

Calling off “Dogs of War” not so easy

Dear Editor, Reference is made to a most timely and important letter by Major General (retd) Joseph G. Singh, captured as a news item in a section of the media under the title, “Joe Singh calls on President to call off `Dogs of War’, let vote recount proceed,” in which

President David Granger is respectfully asked to identify and “excise” the “minions” in the PNCR who, with help from their friends outside of the party, have wilfully undermined the PNCR Party Leader in a manner unheard of.

Specifically, the President

is asked to “do the honourable duty of calling off the Dogs of War, excise them condignly from wherever they are hatching their moves and counter-moves.”

Guyana deserves nothing less, but time will tell. It may not be so easy. It is instructive and, arguably, rel-

evant to note that the older folks may recall another disruptive period when a certain Founder Leader of the PNCR once said: “He who calls off the dogs own the dogs.”

Sincerely, Rakesh Rampertab

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Open letter to Guyana Police Force Dear Editor, This is an open letter to the Guyana Police Force.

Commissioner, senior and junior officers, inspectors and other ranks of the Guyana Police Force: As I make this appeal to you, I would like you to know that I am not a member of any political party. My service in the Guyana Police Force for over 33 years has been nothing but professional, and, during that time, I strived to uphold and maintain the highest values and standards of a professional Police Force, which included staying away from political activism and sentiments.

Our beloved country is now at the edge of a precipice. Another step in the direction it has been moving since on or about March 3rd 2020 (at the GECOM Region 4 RO’s office in particular) will cause us to fall over that precipice and into unimaginable consequences from our own society and the international community. Those consequences will not only manifest into hardship and suffering for us, but also for our

children, elder and younger relatives, and our relatives of the future.

Everything in my heart tells me that the people who had socialised in what was a home for me for 33 years do not want this to happen.

Unfortunately, we cannot wish it away. My thinking and experience tell me that the anti-democratic action of a few in our society cannot bear fruit without support of the Police. Let us not throw our honour to the dogs; let not the necessity of public protection against deviance be submerged by outflows of sentimentality. It is on the Police that the society must rely for the immediate and effective protection of people’s constitutional guarantees. Let us not fail them.

The situation in our country is grave, and as we are aware, political efforts to bring us through have failed over and over.

It is left to the Police to give life and meaning to the enjoyment of civil rights by the law-abiding members of our society.

So, it is crucial that you do not act as you did at the Region 4 RO’s Office and the Arthur Chung

Convention Centre, when you evicted people who had a legal right to be there and who were advancing the protection of the construction rights of the Guyanese people.

Let us not deny that every Government needs a rigorous Police Force to protect the rights of its citizens. However, let us understand that, in a free regime, the Police are employed against the minority that are opposed to the general good, as well as against abuse and negligence of the authorities. On the other hand, in a tyrannical regime, the Police are employed against ordinary and law-abiding people, who are delivered into the hands of injustice and impunity. In the latter case, the Police Force loses its professionalism, independence and control, and the people who suffer include relatives of police ranks, their friends and themselves. Is that what we want?

Please note that, should your actions at the two places I mentioned continue, you will find yourselves separated from the community.

Such separation will cre-

ate social distance that will increase the extent to which the Force could be controlled, and the extent to which the Police are seen as visible symbols of the Government and are targeted as such.

The society took note of the selective deployment of officers and ranks in the Force, as well as the use of excessive force by them. I am also aware that our learning and experiences gave us the understanding of the nature of human suffering, as well as the understanding of the moral contradiction of achieving just ends with coercive means. I appeal to you to use those understandings in giving instructions and taking action. I appeal to you to take professional action and save our dear country from the few dissidents. The society you serve has never been so heavily dependent on you in contemporary times.

Be our heroes.

Yours sincerely, Seelall Persaud, DSM, MBA Retired Commissioner of Police

The ability to change our electoral crisis

Dear Editor, I do hope that this letter will bear upon the conscience of three persons who have the ability to change the course of our present electoral crisis.

Since December 21st, 2018, the APNU/AFC Coalition have done everything possible to ensure that they eradicated all credibility, exposing the deceitful and duplicitous nature of their leader, Mr Granger.

Guyanese at home and abroad, as well as the foreign nations, have seen how Granger says one thing today and says a totally different thing tomorrow. They have seen how he denied Ramjattan in the morning, and accepted him as his running mate in the afternoon. They have seen how he vowed to abide by the Constitution, and then brazenly flouted it.

They have seen how he orchestrated and controlled GECOM at each and every turn, and then claimed that GECOM is independent. They have seen how he disregarded Court orders, including the CCJ’s, and claimed that he respects the decision of the Courts. They have seen how he agreed to do a recount, signed an aide memoire which did nothing to aid his memory, and then put one of his candidates to file an

injunction to block the recount!

Granger is a historian, and no doubt is cognizant of the legacy which his mentor, the late Forbes Burnham, has left behind.

It took a series of name changes and baptisms to sell the PNC to the Guyanese public, and yet the PNC’s dictatorial rule is indelibly etched in the memory of those who had lived during that harsh and chaotic period of poverty and deprivation. Of course there are some exceptions!

The PNC was allowed a free reign to destroy our social and economic foundations, but, in the end, the international community came to our rescue and probably pledged that henceforth the Guyanese people would no longer be subjected to a dictatorship.

Fortunately, Granger had an opportunity to change that, which he miserably failed to do.

Under his watch, and in less than five years, his Government embarked on a course of economic destruction that put the country on a downward spiral, leading to the successful passing of the no-confidence motion.

Suffice to say that democracy is about the freedom of the people to choose a Government of their choice, and no po-

litical party should hinder the democratic process. Unfortunately, that democratic process was hijacked in plain sight of the entire world by the PNC-powered Coalition.

There is no doubt whatsoever that the PNC led by Granger has no desire to relinquish power, and will do anything to remain in power, even to the point to utterly devastating our beloved country.

One can only imagine: if the Coalition can bring so much destruction to our country in just under 5 years, what would be the result if they are allowed to remain in power as long as the PNC did from 1964 to 1992? No doubt, Granger has the ability to be far more destructive than Burnham ever was! But Granger can change his current collision course!

However, we can expect Granger to behave in that manner, since he was an ardent disciple of Burnham. But what about Moses Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan?

These two self-proclaimed disciples of Cheddi Jagan have always pledged allegiance to the late founder-leader of the PPP, and during this last 2020 Elections Campaign, Ramjattan boasted of being the true follower of Jagan.

Nagamootoo had

claimed that he was anointed by Jagan to take over the helm of the PPP, and, like Ramjattan, he was a true PPP stalwart who was wronged by Jagdeo. Both these ‘gentlemen’ fought against the 28 years of dictatorial rule, and blamed Granger for the killings in the 1973 Elections. More specifically, they vigorously fought against the PNC’s rigging of the 1968, 1973, 1980 and 1985 elections, and openly condemned those elections. Yet, now, they are deafeningly silent in the face of the most blatantly rigged election, which is condemned by all and sundry, leading to threats of economic sanctions hovering over our heads like the Sword of Damocles! Are they now willing to destroy the very people and country they so aggressively fought for?

They, too, can change our current collision course!

If not, history and posterity will condemn these people who had an opportunity to walk the decent road, but chose to sell their souls for material gains. I leave these leaders with a quote from the Bible: What does it profit a man to gain the whole world yet forfeit their soul? (Mark 8:36) Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

Usurpers of Guyana’s democracy Dear Editor, PNC-APNU-AFC-GECOM are united; do not fall for any anecdote that plays to a good cop-bad cop theme. You cannot reverse a fraud; those responsible must go.

The intent of the fraudulent election process is to “don’t stop the dictatorship”. Time has run out for the usurpers, as they try to place Guyana into a lockbox labelled “Forward Never, Backward Ever”.

The leading Government-nominated commissioner, Vincent Alexander, who gave vocal and cheerleading support to the March Madness of Mingo when Mingo on March 5, and March 13 of 2020 was making fraudulent declarations and/or having statements of poll (SOPs) read with bullet-like speed, has now come up with a Humpty Dumpty gobbledygook statement, as expressed in a section of the media dated March 18, 2020, that: “The root cause is beyond our electoral system…We have serious problems with our plurality, the distrust and quest for power from different segments.” And then, in typical Humpty Dumpty word fashioning, where the meanings of words are what Alexander chooses them to mean, Alexander said the trust issue is way beyond GECOM. When one tries to make sense of what Alexander said, you must accept that words do not have meanings beyond whatever meanings he ascribes to them. Re: “The root cause is beyond our electoral system.” Clearly, our Electoral System requires ballots to be counted at the polling stations, and the tally of the results have to be publicly displayed at the polling stations. It is a measure that took the biggest route for fraud out of our Electoral System.

Now the winner of the elections is known within a few hours of the elections by GECOM, APNU-AFC, PPP/C, and without doubt the leading Western powers.

The problem is not the Electoral System, the problems emanate from those GECOM fraudsters and their enablers from APNU-AFC, who actively undermined the functioning of the Electoral System for the count and declaration of Region 4 results, which has caused Guyana’s March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections to be mired in fraud and deception.

Alexander’s last sentence is so absurdly illogical that it is rendered meaningless, except to him. He states: “We have serious problems

with our plurality, the distrust and quest for power from different segments”. It is the purpose of the democratic system of elections in Guyana and elsewhere for the party that obtains a plurality/ majority to be declared the winner. The quest for power from different segments is the purpose of democratic party politics.

Political parties have to seek the plurality/majority by adhering to the law, not by engaging in fraud and using measures to thwart the electoral system.

Let us not forget the word “distrust” used by Alexander. Is he advocating no checks and balances in the electoral system? No party scrutineers? No umpires or referees? Or that Guyanese/political parties must just trust each other without verification?

Vincent Alexander seems to have his own dictionary, where his “words mean so many different things” in Humpty Dumpty language.

The indelible and multiple insults -- direct and indirect -- by leaders in GECOM and APNU-AFC to the global community, including CARICOM; Organization of American States; European Union; Commonwealth Secretariat; Carter Center, and their representatives: such as Caricom Chairperson and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, and other Caribbean Prime Ministers; US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch; EU Ambassador Fernando Ponz Cantó; UK High Commissioner Greg Quinn, and Canadian High Commissioner Lillian Chatterjee, will not end well for the leaders in GECOM and APNU-AFC, who have actively participated in this disgraceful, shameless and fraudulent election process.

This view is well guided by the statement from US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who at a press conference on March 17, 2020 said, “It is important to note that the individuals who seek to benefit from electoral fraud and to form illegitimate governments, regimes, will be subject to a variety of serious consequences from the United States.”

The recent rulings and orders coming from our learned judges seem to me to be rich in the use of loose and ambiguous language that, more often than not, borders on unenforceability and serve to embolden the usurpers of Guyana’s democracy.

Sincerely, Nigel Hinds

Do what is right, do what is decent

Dear Editor, I have been following very closely the events and, I dare say, sudden turns that have characterized our 2020 Elections.

It is my considered view that certain elements in the Coalition will, no matter how low they must go, give up office, having lost to the PPP/C. I have, through social media, followed many of those who have been named public leaders of this unadulterated plan to undermine the voting process. From their social media posts, at least prior to their real intents becoming exposed, they have portrayed themselves as God-fearing and righteous persons. Some have posted their appearances in places of worship and in being engaged in charitable exercises. Their posts caused me to conclude that at least these people had some level of decency.

But this, alas, was a mirage, and now, with their masks off, they have shown themselves to us all.

They have chosen to hold on to flimsy excuses while they seek to bully their way to stay in office.

Clearly, their hearts are not with

the people, but they appear to be concerned only with the power and perks of political office. These are people, as I said, who claimed to be men and women of high moral and religious values.

It is hard for me to imagine that people who went around the country and sought to convince Guyanese that they were “decent” and “honest” can do what I deem as vile and despicable things to our people and nation. I have to wonder what is the reason/s for their attitude. They must know that even the sands of the hourglass will, at one time or the other, run out.

What is their plan then? Is it to plunder and destroy the country? I ask: What will that achieve? It is all who will suffer, and it is they and their families who will have to live with such an ignominious stain.

I urge the cabal, you still have a little time: do what is right, do what is decent, do what is honest in the interest of all of Guyana’s children. Please, I urge.

Yours faithfully, Liebert Alleyne

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THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020

Page

Foundation

Guyana Times is pleased to publish the Education Ministry’s 2020 National Grade Six Assessment Practice Tests, complete with answers. This is the first part of Mathematics Paper 1. Look out for the second part of Paper 1 and the entire answer key on Friday. The 2020 Paper Two Practice Test for all the subjects will be published in the Sunday Magazine of March 22.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

NATIONAL GRADE SIX ASSESSMENT PRACTICE TEST

PAPER 1

MARCH 12, 2020 Reading Time: 10 minutes Writing Time: 60 minutes

READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY 1. This test has 40 questions. You have 1 hour 10 minutes to answer them.

2. Each question has four possible answers:

MATHEMATICS

(A), (B), (C) and (D). Read each question carefully then choose the correct answer.

3. On your answer sheet, find the number that matches the question you intend to answer.

4. Shade the circle which has the same letter A, B, C or D, next to the answer you have chosen.

1. Two million, two hundred two when written in figures, is (A) 2 000 002 (B) 2 000 202 (C) 2 002 202 (D) 2 202 002 2. Seven times 12 can be written as (A) 7 + 12 (B) 7 x 12 (C) 7 - 12 (D) 7 ÷ 12 3. What fraction in the diagram below is shaded?

(A) 4/2 (B) 3/2 (C) 2/2 (D) 1/2 4. The Highest Common Factor of 9 and 24 is (A) 3 (B) 9 (C) 15 (D) 24 5. What is the sum of 0.6 and 5?

(A) 30 (B) 11 (C) 5.6 (D) 1.1 6. Study the members of the set below then answer the question.

Set A = {Months of the year beginning with J} How many members are in the set?

(A) 3 (B) 6 (C) 9 (D) 12 7. Fifteen PERCENT means fifteen out of every (A) cent.

(B) ten.

(C) hundred.

(D) thousand.

8. Jaiwantie is about 3 ______ taller than Rawl.

(A) centimetres (B) metres (C) hectometres (D) kilometres 9. Which answer below has the same meaning in time as

Sample Question 1. The sum of 4 and 5 is (A) 1 ANSWER SHEET (B) 9 A B C D (C) 20 (D) 45 The correct answer is “9”, so (B) has been shaded.

5. If you want to change your answer erase it completely before you fill in your new choice. quence below?

this digital clock?

(A) Thirty five minutes past eleven (B) Thirty five minutes to one (C) Twenty five minutes to twelve (D) Twenty five minutes to one

A) 25 and 51 (C) 26 and 64

10. Angles are measured in (A) centimetres.

(B) degrees.

(C) litres.

(D) percentage.

11. The tally set shown here (A) 3 (C) 15

6. When the supervisor tells you to begin, turn the page and work as quickly and as carefully as you can.

7. If you try a question and find that you cannot answer it, leave it and go on to the next one.

You may return to that question later.

8. You must not use calculators for this assessment.

DO NOT TURN OVER THIS PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO.

(B) 25 and 55 (D) 26 and 65

16. When 10 is added to the LCM of 6 and 9, the result is (A) 18 (B) 28 (C) 54 (D) 66

(B) 4 (D) 18

, represents

17. Study the pattern below then select the number of dots that will complete the 5th in the pattern.

Study the set of scores below then answer questions 12 to 14.

1, 6, 4, 6, 7, 3, 2, 3 12. What is the mean of the data set?

(A) 1 (B) 3 (C) 4 (D) 7 13. Calculate the median of the same set of scores.

(A) 3 (B) 3.5 (C) 4 (D) 4.5 14. If the highest and the lowest scores were removed from the data set, what would be the new mean?

(A) 3 (B) 4 (C) 6 (D) 7

(A) 15 (C) 20

(B) 18 (D) 21

18. Which of the statements below is incorrect?

(A) (19 + 36) + 4 = 19 + (4 + 36) (B) 12 x (15 + 7) = 12 x 15 + 12 x 7 (C) 42 + 13 = 40 + 2 + 13 (D) 24 ÷ (4 + 8) = 24 ÷ 4 + 24 ÷ 8 Study the Venn diagram below, then answer questions 19 and 20.

15. Which TWO numbers will correctly complete the se-

19. How many animals cannot live in water?

(A) 3 (B) 5 (C) 7 (D) 15 20. What percentage of the animals in the Venn Diagram can live both on land and in water?

(A) 15 (B) 33.3 (C) 20 (D) 66.6

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 1 ANSWER KEY 25. B 26. B 27. C 28. A 29. B 30. C

31. B 32. A 33. D 34. D 35. C 36. B

37. D 38. D 39. B 40. B

NEWS

7

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Serious, persistent electoral malpractice in Guyana – Commonwealth observers …cite failure of GECOM to stop blatant disregard of rule of law

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n light of the ongoing electoral fiasco, another international observer mission – The Commonwealth Observer Group, has withdrawn from Guyana, citing serious and persistent electoral malpractice following the March 2 polling day and the failure of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to stop the blatant disregard for the rule of law and electoral ethics.

The Observer Group, which was headed by former Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur, withdrew from Guyana on Sunday, March 15.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Commonwealth Mission contended that the tabulation processes conducted by the Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) Returning Officer (RO), Clairmont Mingo, were not credible, transparent and inclusive.

In fact, the Mission noted that the series of events that it observed in the tabulation of Region Four results between March 3 and March

14 were of grave concern.

Among the issues highlighted by the Group include the repeated cessation of the tabulation process for a variety of irregular reasons and the unlawful declaration made by Mingo on March 5, despite the tabulation process being halted.

According to the Commonwealth Group, it did not observe any material or substantive impediments inside the tabulation room, which might have prevented the resumption of the tabulation process.

“It is the Group’s clear view that robust exchanges between political party agents in the room only occurred when the Guyana Elections Commission repeatedly halted the tabulation process… The unlawful 5 March declaration of Mr Mingo was undertaken under heavy Police guard; and his departure from the tabulation centre was guided and guarded by six Police Officers,” the missive from the international group stated.

It further outlined the

continued failure of the RO to comply with the March 11 and 13 orders and judgements of the acting Chief Justice, Roxane George.

The Group noted that the Chief Justice made it patently clear on March 13 that actual Statements of Poll should be shown to entitled parties present, adding that for the avoidance of doubt, she even demonstrated herself how this should be done and enquired “what was the difficulty in doing so” during the contempt of court proceedings.

“However, on resuming the tabulation after leaving the court on 13 March, Mr Mingo refused all requests from those entitled to be present to view the actual Statements of Poll and did not display the spreadsheet being populated. This compromised the process of ascertaining the credibility of the Statements of Poll relied on by Mr Mingo to tabulate the results; and, it was impossible for party agents and those entitled to be present to observe that the numbers being called out were being

Govt failed to adequately enforce labour laws – US State Dept …points to discrimination against unions

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report compiled by the United States State Department has found that while there were penalties for persons who violate the labour laws, the Government throughout 2019 did not effectively enforce such laws.

This is contained in the Department’s 2019 report on human rights in Guyana. According to the Department, a frequent complaint from unions was that the Government actively discriminated against certain unions.

“The Government did not effectively enforce applicable laws. Penalties for violation of labour laws are small fines the Government frequently did not impose. These penalties were insufficient to deter violations. Administrative and judicial proceedings regarding violations often were subject to lengthy delays and appeals.”

Some Public-Sector employee unions, the report stated, continued to allege anti-union discrimination by the Government, asserting the administration violated workers’ rights and did not effectively enforce the law. The unions, the US State Department said, were concerned that employers used hiring practices, such as contract labour and temporary labour, to avoid hiring workers with

bargaining rights.

In expounding on the functions of the Social Protection Ministry, the State Department noted that the Ministry was required to certify all collec-

t i v e bargaining agreements.

Individual unions, it explained, directly negotiate collective bargaining status.

“By law, unions must have 40 per cent support of workers, a provision the International Labour Organisation criticised. The Government may declare strikes illegal if the union leadership does not approve them or if the union does not meet the requirements specified in collective bargaining agreements. Public employees providing essential services may strike if they provide a one-month notice to the Department of Public Service and leave a

skeleton staff in place.

“The ILO [International Labour Organisation] noted that not all sectors deemed essential by the Government adhered to international definitions, including the services provided by the Transport and Harbours Department and the National Drainage and Irrigation Board.

Arbitration is compulsory for public employees, and such employees engaging in illegal strikes are subject to sanctions or imprisonment.”

Government has had a turbulent relationship with a number of unions, including the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU). This relationship has seen the members of both protesting against the Government.

In GAWU’s case, it has complained bitterly about the scant attention the Government has paid to the plight of thousands of sugar workers, who have been dismissed en masse as the Government moved to shut down sugar estates.

The GTU has meanwhile complained of Government not granting requested salary increases. Debunching also proved to be a source of contention between the union and the Government.

accurately entered on the spreadsheet,” the observer group stated.

In fact, it went on to say that in multiple instances, the number of votes announced by the RO during Friday’s tabulation differed from those which had previously been agreed by all parties present during the first March 4 tabulation process.

In some cases, it added, this resulted in tabulation totals reflecting more voters than were entered on the list of eligible electors for certain polling stations.

“At no point did the leadership of the Guyana Electoral Commission halt or rectify these blatant instances of disregard for the rule of law and electoral ethics, despite its vested authority to independently ensure credible elections,” the international observer stressed.

The Commonwealth Group further posited that despite the serious and persistent electoral malpractice observed by the Group from March 3 to march 14, the Group welcomed the Caribbean Community (Caricom) initiative, at the invitation of President David Granger, to deploy a High-Level Team to Guyana to supervise a recount of the ballots. However, the

Head of the Commonwealth Observer Mission to Guyana, Owen Arthur

Group expressed regret that the Team has now departed Guyana having been unable to complete their task.

Nevertheless, the Commonwealth Observer Group commended Guyanese for peacefully exercising their right to vote for the Government of their choice on March 2, adding that this is a sacred constitutional and universal right which will be respected when every Guyanese vote is transparently and credibly counted.

The Group, which was deployed by the Commonwealth Secretary General, Baroness Patricia Scotland, will be submitting its full report to the Baroness, who will then forward it to the Government of Guyana, the Chairperson of GECOM, leaders of political parties, and to all other 53 Commonwealth Governments.

In its preliminary report on March 4, the Observer Mission flagged GECOM over, among other things, its finalisation of Polling Stations and the signing of the Code of Conduct by political parties mere days before Election Day. The Group also highlighted the “urgent need” for constitutional and electoral reforms, specifically comprehensive reforms in the voter registration system, including legislative reform.

The Commonwealth Mission’s withdrawal comes on the heels of the Organisation of the American States (OAS) pulling its Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) last week, saying that it had no option than to withdraw from Guyana, since the ascertainment methodology that was used did not meet the required standard of fairness and transparency.

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Taxi driver to face Judge, jury over rape of teen

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rincipal Magistrate Sherdel MarcusIsaacs on Wednesday committed taxi driver Lindon Daniels to stand trial at the Demerara High Court for raping a female passenger.

The accused was in February 2019 slapped with three rape charges for offences committed against female passengers on different occasions.

A Preliminary Inquiry (PI) was conducted into the first charge levelled against Daniels; this stated that the accused on January 30, 2019, at Kuru Kuru, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara (EBD), engaged in sexu-

Another day…

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Convicted: Lindon Daniels

al penetration of a woman over the age of 17. For this charge, Magistrate Marcus-Isaacs ruled that sufficient evidence was presented throughout the PI and thus committed him to stand trial.

Daniels was granted $300,000 bail until the commencement and determination of the High Court trial.

Two other charges brought against the accused detailed that on February 18, 2019, at New Providence, EBD, he engaged in sexual penetration of a woman over the age of 17.

Moreover, on February 13, 2019, at New Providence, he engaged in sexual penetration of a girl under the age of 16.

These matters are still being heard at a city magistrate’s court.

It was reported that Daniels on the day in question while transporting the victims in his motor vehicle to their destinations diverted to isolated areas where he committed the act.

Linden man jailed for burglarising woman’s home

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agistrate Rondel Weever on Wednesday jailed a 38-year-old Linden labourer after he pleaded guilty to burglarising the home of a 62-year-old woman.

Winston Crawford was jailed for two years when he appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court. The court heard that Crawford, also called “Bald Head”, of Block 22, Wismar, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) burglarised the South Amelia’s Ward home of Phyllis Crawford, between March 12 and 13. The court heard that Crawford is a labourer at a sawmill located in South Amelia’s Ward.

…in the rigging circus n the states, if asked how your day was, to signal it was pretty routine, some would respond with a figurative or actual shrug, “Another day, another dollar!” Well, for Guyanese, after March 3rd, we’d have to say, “Another day, another twist on the rigging front!”

After the last-ditch effort with the injunction to derail the recount, the PNC bought some time till Friday, when the affected parties will rebut to have it discharged.

But, in the morning after, some folks were still scratching their heads that Justice Holder would issue an injunction in a matter that’s riveted the attention of the world (only slight hyperbole!) so cavalierly! Immediately, one of the attorneys on the petition screamed, “Wasn’t me!!” In our small Guyana pond, does Holder expect us to believe he didn’t realise there was a “Case of an Absent Attorney”?? No wonder Basil Williams – a legal dim bulb, if ever there was one – dissed him in open court!!

Another development was one advanced by the Caricom head, Mia Mottley, who told Granger after the Caricom oversight team for the recount had to leave: “It is clear that there are FORCES that do not want to see the votes recounted for whatever reason.” Well, let’s take the second point first: “for WHATEVER reason”? Listen, there’s only one reason for all this sturm and drang – to “give David another term”!! Isn’t that what the PNC campaigned for??

Then we come to the mysterious “forces” behind the said tragedy-that-is-a-farce. This one has taken on some traction. Granger, “honest and decent man with integrity”, is now under the sway of some Svengali-like “faction” who’re now pulling the strings for him not to go ahead and “do the right thing”.

All your Eyewitness can say is “bollocks!!” Even if there were something to this – and your Eyewitness doesn’t for a moment think so – then Granger had it coming to him!!

At the PNC’s 2011 Biennial Congress, when he was made “PNC Leader”, didn’t Granger allow the Georgetown membership led by Volda Lawrence (who’d rigged out Aubrey Norton in 2009!!) to rig him in – after the deal he cut with Robert Corbin??

What did he expect?? Did he start to believe all the BS about him and his unctuous image as being their “Leader”??

Hell, it was an investment the hardliners made, and they want their returns when the oil money starts rolling in!!

So, your Eyewitness will have none of this “factions” business to explain the blatant rigging the world is seeing.

There are factions in every party; heck, there are factions in every family!!

Wasn’t it a “faction” that unilaterally appointed Patterson to fix the rig!!

Granger wants to rig the election and have it too!! …another power grab In George Orwell’s classic dissection of the totalitarian imperative, ‘1984’, he describes several stratagems dictators will deploy to control the “proles”. One of them was “perpetual war”, which justifies controls being imposed on every aspect of the peoples’ lives. And war becomes “peace”!! Burnham used the Venezuelan border controversy after 1969 to build his Disciplined Forces to such levels that almost every citizen had his own soldier “guarding” him. And ballot boxes!!

Well, Granger’s built up his Disciplined Forces almost back to Burnhamite strength. But no war was in sight!!

The COVID-19 crisis, then, became a god-sent opportunity, and Granger didn’t waste any time. Even while everyone was focused on the elections’ hijinks, Granger gazetted a directive under the Public Health Ordinance that pretty much made Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence more powerful than General George MacArthur in Japan, as Supreme Commander after the Americans dropped their 2 atomic bombs!!

The Police can now seize your property, burn your belongings, and detain you on suspicion of having any infectious disease!! …another supplication Last Christmas, Volda Lawrence invoked Jesus Christ at the MoPH to be “in charge”. Not taking any chances, last Sunday at Seven Ponds, she invoked Burnham as “Odo” and the “Kabaka”.

To help with the elections rigging!!

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

9 NEW GPC ramps up production of COVID-19 treatment NEWS

THURSDAY MARCH 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…1st in Caribbean to do so

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harmaceutical manufacturing company NEW GPC on Wednesday announced that in response to the outbreak of novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19), it has ramped up production of chloroquine tablets.

In a press release, the company said that while there was no vaccine for the virus at this time and one was not expected for at least another year, chloroquine is one of the drugs that have been cited as an effective treatment for COVID-19.

The drug, NEW GPC said, has tested favourably in the US, Japan, Italy, France, and other European countries in the front line in battling the pandemic.

“Studies have shown that chloroquine blocks the viral infection by increasing the endosomal pH needed for viral attachment,” the press release said.

The release continued that typical is the report from the Deputy Head of China National Center for Biotechnology Development, Sun Yanrong.

“He said that chloroquine, an anti-malarial medication, was selected after several screening rounds of thousands of existing drugs.

The studies evidenced ‘certain curative effect’ with ‘fairly good efficacy’ and patients treated demonstrated a better drop in fever, improvement of lung CT images, and required a shorter

NEW GPC, Farm, East Bank Demerara

time to recover compared to parallel groups. No obvious serious adverse reactions were observed and reported in the more than 100 participants in the trials.”

Chloroquine is a 70-yearold drug, which as men-

tioned earlier, is used to fight malaria and autoimmune diseases. It is safe to use and relatively cheap. NEW GPC is licensed to manufacture this product and has been doing so for many years. This drug requires a doctor’s pre-

scription.

NEW GPC is the Caribbean’s largest manufacturer of pharmaceuticals.

The company has manufactured anti-retrovirals to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic and Tamiflu to treat

the outbreak of bird flu.

NEW GPC is US FDA approved and is licensed by the Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department.

The company noted that the production of chloroquine by the NEW GPC would give a boost not only to the fight to control the effects of the COVID-19 virus, “but also to give a boost to our local moribund economy. The company has already received its first order from the Caribbean”.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which started in China in late 2019, has now been defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a pandemic.

Guyana has already recorded five cases.

Guyana records 5th COVID-19 case

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uyana has confirmed its fifth case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

This announcement was made by the Public Health Ministry on Wednesday.

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence made the announcement explaining that the country’s fifth victim is a relative of Patient zero – a 52-year-old female, who travelled from New York and brought the deadly virus to these shores.

Lawrence, in a message, noted that the Ministry, through the activated Health Emergency Operations Centre, continues to locate and quarantine other persons who came into close contact with the woman and her immediate relatives.

“To date, due to the diligence of our health personnel who are working assiduously to contain the spread of COVID-19, the numbers have been kept down. We can ill afford to become complacent and in some cases even nonchalant and laid back. The threat is real; it is not discriminatory and so we must all shoulder our responsibility resolutely and be resilient in adherence to the precautionary measures that have been established,” Lawrence noted.

She also emphasised that the COVID-19 situation in Guyana presently remained under control; however, this does not mean that preventative measures and other mechanisms must be forsaken. She said some measures taken to combat the spread of COVID-19 include the closure of schools for sanitisation exercises, closure of airports to international incoming flights, shift system at workplaces for public servants, and temporary cessation of large gatherings for two weeks.

Guyana’s Patient Zero entered the country on March 5 and travelled to her Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home be-

fore becoming fatally ill.

Before dying, she visited a private medical institution where she was suspected of having the virus, owing to her symptoms, and was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she died on Wednesday last.

Posthumous tests revealed she was positive for COVID-19 which caused an immediate panic in the healthcare system. Further tests have revealed that her husband, child and a relative are all carriers of the virus.

Initially, the Public Health Ministry placed the family under self-isolation.

However, there were reports of the family allegedly holding a wake for Patient Zero, which resulted in a number of persons coming into contact with them.

In an effort to contain the spread and better monitor the confirmed cases, the Health Ministry decided to impose a mandatory quarantine on those who tested positive. They are currently being housed in a facility prepared by the Ministry on

the West Coast of Demerara.

It was only after four confirmed cases were detected in Guyana that it was announced that the Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) would be partially shutting down the country’s two main airports – Cheddi Jagan International Airport and Eugene F Correira International Airport.

This announcement was made by GCAA Director General Egbert Field on Tuesday.

The closures took effect from midnight Wednesday.

Priority will be given to outgoing flights, cargo flights, medevac flights or technical stops of aircraft that require fuel, and specially authorised flights.

According to the World Health Organisation, Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

Coronavirus disease

(COVID-19) is a new strain that was discovered in 2019 and had not been previously identified in humans.

Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people.

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, se-

vere acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death.

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs and avoiding close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

Additionally, the Health

Ministry advises that the only facility in Guyana that is capable of testing for COVID-19 is the National Reference Lab operated by the Ministry.

Local health authorities have advised that if anyone is experiencing symptoms of coronavirus, they should contact the hotline on 2311166, 624-3067, 624-2819 or 624-6674 and a team would be sent to their location.

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Public outrage over Granger’s COVID-19 edict ...seen as potentially violative of citizens' constitutional rights …Health Minister’s wide powers would be unlawful otherwise – AG admits

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Public Health Ordinance that has conferred Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence with new far-reaching ministerial powers in order to confront the coronavirus pandemic is be-ing met with public consternation and many expressing concern – through social media and other platforms – calling the new measures “overkill”, “draconian” and with the po-tential to be abused to control the populace for reasons not related to the stated pur-poses.

The public firestorm led to Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams hav-ing to defend the move by Government, even as he conceded that the new powers given to Williams would have been unconstitutional without the blessings of the President.

According to Williams, the “very wide powers” that have been given to the Public Health Minister under the Public Health Ordinance is “in the interest of protecting the nation a as a whole”.

Williams offered the rationalisation on Wednesday during an interview with the State media and noted that the powers now con-

President David Granger

ferred to the Minister would have been "un-constitutional" otherwise.

The directive authorises the Public Health Minister and other Government functionaries to commit certain acts, which if there was no exception, would have been breach of citi-zens' constitutional rights and freedoms, according to the Attorney General.

According to Williams, while many of the powers and measures now in place are already reposed in the Central Board of Health, there can be situations where there is need for immediate recourse.

Such situations, he pos-

its, allow for the Ordinance to have the President assume all of the powers and delegate them to the Minister within the legal framework.

The Attorney General, in responding to the widespread concerns over the draconian na-ture of the proposals, has since contended the provisions “will not be utilised whimsically or capriciously.” In view of other abuse of powers by the Administration over the last five years, the assurance was viewed with scepticism by most analysts.

According to the Official Gazette, under the order, the Public Health Ministry shall take measures to “restrain, segregate and isolate persons suffering from the disease, or who may be, likely from exposure to the infection, suffer from the disease”.

Additionally, the Public Health Ministry "shall speedily bury or cremate the corpse of per-sons that died as a result of the coronavirus in addition to providing curative care".

More alarmingly, it directed that the Public Health Minister may “remove, disinfect, and destroy the personal effects, goods,

buildings and any other article, material or thing exposed to infection from the disease”. In no other country was any such authority given since the virus only survives on surfaces for a limited time.

The Minister has also been empowered to prohibit or restrict the movement of persons within, to and from an infected area.

The Order also empowers the Minister to call on the Guyana Police Force to provide en-forcement assistance, as it relates to its duties under the Order.

The Order has also called on the Ministries of Education and Health to take measures to control the spread of COVID-19 across educational institutions and with respect to immi-gration matters.

Defending the Executive Order, Williams cited hypothetical examples where a person could be infected but still allowed to mingle in the population while harbouring infected beddings and surroundings.

The Attorney General suggested that in the national interest, the new powers would al-low for the lawful detention of such a person in

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence

a designated facility and the destruction of property.

He spoke too of infected persons refusing to be removed from their homes, as among the reasons for the ‘wide powers’.

Asked about the financial aspect of the Ordinance, Minister Williams said Governments could always expend funds from the coffers in the event of emergencies and natural dis-asters such as breaches to the seawall.

Qualifying his position further, the Attorney General noted that in each of the countries currently dealing with the coronavi-

rus a priority in measures is gathering the funds to prevent and control the spread of the pandemic.

Guyana Times on Wednesday reported that Head of State, David Granger has written a ‘blank cheque’ for the Health, Education and Citizenship Ministries in order to meet expenditure related to meeting the demands of COVID-19.

The move comes under an Executive Order issued by the President under the Public Health Ordinance and was signed by the President on Monday.

According to the order, the Finance Minister shall expend from the Consolidated Fund such sums of money as may be necessary for the effectual carrying out of identified measures to be undertaken by the various Ministries.

The Order, which has since been gazetted, states that the “President considers that im-mediate action is necessary to address COVID-19 and declares COVID-19 as an infectious disease” warranting the special orders.

The Executive Order is to remain in force until withdrawn by the president.

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Security boosted outside diplomatic missions after threats of mass protest voting district, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

In fact, the ABCE countries (United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union) have warned of serious consequences if a president is sworn in under

ble officials for the tabulation process in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

The Heads of Missions further outlined in the joint missive their concerns about intimidation tactics they have observed against those seeking to ensure that

walked out of the office of the Region Four Returning Officer (RO),Clairmont Mingo, which was housed in the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Command Centre located on High and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown.

Police outside the US Embassy and the Canadian High Commission on Young Street, Georgetown on Wednesday morning

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here was a heavy Police presence outside the offices of some of the major foreign missions here on Wednesday morning, following threats of mass protest action against the diplomats, who have been critical of the lack of transparency and credibility in the 2020 elections.

There was heightened law enforcement presence outside the United States Embassy and the Canadian High Commission, both located on Young Street, Georgetown, and the British High Commission on Main Street, Georgetown.

The ranks had even cordoned off the western carriageway of Main Street in order to secure the British High Commission, diverting traffic from that section between New Market and Lamaha Streets.

British High Commissioner Gregory Quinn confirmed to Guyana Times that the amplified security is just a precau-

tionary measure stemming from the threats on social media.

“In the light of social media comments against the High Commission, we sought additional support from the authorities,” Quinn explained in an invited comment on Wednesday.

This newspaper was told that persons have been threatening persons at the Canadian High Commission on social media.

Meanwhile, when contacted, Public Relations Officer of the US Embassy, Violeta Talandis, did not comment on the issue, saying the embassy’s functioning was normal.

“It’s a normal business day,” she insisted, adding that the only change was the cancellation of visa services in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Threats

Nevertheless, acting Divisional Commander Phillip Azore told this publication on Tuesday morn-

ing, “There are threats of mass protests in front of those locations. So, we just put Police there to ensure it’s secure and in keeping in accordance with the law.”

A social media post, seen

by Guyana Times, urged persons to begin a “mass protest… at 9:00am” on Wednesday in front of the British and Canadian High Commissions.

However, no such protest action was held and by midday, the Police had also cleared from outside the diplomatic missions.

Efforts by this newspaper to ascertain whether security will be beefed up thereon outside or around these foreign missions, were futile as the acting Commander redirected the questions.

The Heads of these diplomatic missions in Guyana have strongly condemned the continued attempts to derail the electoral process in Guyana, particularly during the tabulation process of the country’s largest

The western carriageway of Main Street, Georgetown outside the British High Commission was blocked off from public access

these circumstances, which they say, lack credibility and transparency.

A joint statement on Friday saw US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch, British High Commissioner Greg Quinn, Canadian High Commissioner Lilian Chatterjee, and EU Ambassador Fernando Ponz-Canto saying that there was clearly no transparency and credibility put in place by responsi-

a credible process was followed.

Reminding that they were all long-standing friends of Guyana, whose countries have supported its development over many decades, the foreign envoys cautioned against leading the country into isolation.

On Friday last, the Heads of Missions, who are all accredited as local observers to monitor the electoral process, had

The diplomats did not return to monitor the tabulation process, which continued on Friday and eventually ended with the RO declaring the region’s results but not without widespread allegations of electoral fraud from many representatives of the various political parties that contested the March 2 elections as well as from other observers.

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Guyana being deprived of opportunity for global respect – Sir Shridath Ramphal …urges Guyana’s interest be placed above narrow considerations

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t a time when it matters the most, Guyana is being denied the opportunity for global respect along with regional and international approval owing to the ongoing fiasco in relation to the March 2 General and Regional Elections.

This was related by longstanding statesman and local voice of reason, Sir Shridath Ramphal when he issued a statement on Wednesday.

“In the darkness of disagreement, Caricom’s helpful intervention in trying to resolve the general elections process at the request of both President Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, was a ray of light.

All Guyana should have welcomed it, as most Guyanese did. It is a wholly legitimate role of Community that must not be smothered under any pretext whatever,” he said.

Sir Shridath went on to add, “It is utterly regrettable that despite the highest-level agreement between the political leaders of Guyana and five Caricom Heads of Government acting for the Community, the invited Caricom team to oversee the recount of the votes has had to withdraw. Guyana is being deprived of regional and international approval and

Sir Shridath Ramphal

the opportunity for global respect at a time when it matters most.”

However, he explained that all hope is not lost, since Caricom has not yet closed the door to proving the preciousness of its familial ties with Guyana, adding that the regional body could still play the role Guyana’s two political leaders agreed it should.

“What is required now is for all to place the interest of the nation above other narrow considerations that could mar the country’s prospects and retard the strides

that the people of Guyana have made collectively. I urge that peace and progress be pursued lawfully and transparently,” he urged.

Ramphal is one of the legal minds on Guyana’s team for the International Court of Justice case against Venezuela on the border controversy. The public hearings in the case were set to commence on March 23, but were postponed owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ramphal, a former Commonwealth Secretary General and Foreign Minister of Guyana, has consistently stressed Venezuela’s claims to twothirds of Guyana’s territory are simply “baseless”, The boundary between the countries was decided by an international tribunal on Venezuela’s insistence in 1899. Between 1901 and 1905, a mixed boundary commission appointed by the two countries then carried out a survey and demarcation of the boundary.

The claim centres on the Essequibo region, which is rich in resources that have driven some key economic sectors in Guyana over the years. On March 29, 2018, Guyana filed an application requesting the ICJ con-

President David Granger

firm the legal validity and binding effect of the 1899 Arbitral Award.

Venezuela did not submit a response signalling its participation in the proceedings. The hearings will be held at The Hague in the Netherlands.

In June 2018, the Venezuelan Government issued an official statement outlining its decision not to participate in the United Nations Secretary Generalchosen procedure regarding its claim.

This announcement followed several months after

the decision was made by the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, to refer the matter to the ICJ as a means of resolving the ongoing controversy.

According to Guyana’s application to the World Court, for more than 60 years, Venezuela had consistently recognised and respected the validity of the binding force of the 1899 Award and the 1905 Map was agreed by both sides in furtherance of the Award.

“Venezuela had only changed its position formally in 1962 as the United Kingdom was making final preparations for the independence of British Guiana and had threatened not to recognise the new State, or its boundaries, unless the United Kingdom agreed to set aside the 1899 Award and cede to Venezuela all

of the territories west of the Essequibo River, amounting to some two-thirds of Guyana’s territory,” Guyana submitted in its application to the World Court.

The court document further noted that while Venezuela has never produced any evidence to justify its belated repudiation of the 1899 Award, the neighbouring country has used it as an excuse to occupy territory awarded to Guyana, to inhibit Guyana’s economic development, and to violate Guyana’s sovereignty and sovereign rights.

The UN Secretary General’s authority to choose the ICJ as the means for resolving the controversy is rooted in the Geneva Agreement of 1966, negotiated just before Guyana attained independence.

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PSC, GCCI slam Police’s growing hostility towards party agents, observers

PSC Chairman Gerry Gouveia

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eaders in the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) have come out in criticism of the role played by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in evicting party agents from the location where they were keeping watch over the ballots.

In a video message on Tuesday, PSC Chairman, Retired Captain Gerry Gouveia questioned who gave the orders to the Police.

According to Gouveia, par-

ty agents had a legitimate right to be at the location and therefore, the actions of the Police are questionable.

Gouveia noted that up until the fumigation crew and the Police arrived, the process of waiting for the recount was a peaceful one.

Some party agents were in the compound while others were camped outside. When the fumigation crew came, however, the first effort was made to clear the area.

The PSC later reinforced its Chairman’s message in a statement on Wednesday, in which it urged the Police to act in an impartial way.

According to the Commission in its statement, it has observed instances where the Police Force seemed to be acting under direct political instructions.

“In particular, members of the Commission and its Elections Observers witnessed the deliberate and forceful intervention of heavily armed Police in preventing the oversight of the Statements of Poll at GECOM by physically removing accredited political party representatives, accredited observers, including Private Sector observ-

GCCI President Nicholas Boyer

ers, and the members of the media. This resulted in the exposure of the Statements of Poll to possible fraudulent alteration.”

Attempted arrest

The PSC also recalled that on Monday night, the Police attempted to arrest a Commissioner of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Robeson Benn, despite his legal right to be present at the location overseeing the ballot boxes.

It was only recently that

Police Commissioner Leslie James had announced that he would have an open-door policy to treat directly with concerns from the general public. Despite this, however, the PSC noted that repeated phone calls to the Commissioner have failed to get through to him.

“Further, the PSC cites the complete failure of the Police to prevent mass crowds of the governing party’s political supporters actively harassing and threatening accredited observers, party officials, and media professionals in the course of their respective functions both outside of GECOM and at other places.”

“The PSC now calls upon the Commissioner of Police to execute his duties as head of the Guyana Police Force to ensure that every member of the Force acts in accordance with its mandate set out in Article 197 (4) of the Constitution of Guyana and the provisions of the Police Act, Cap. 16:01. The PSC remains ready and available to engage the Commissioner on these matters,” it said, going on to remind of the wide range of organisations it represents.

Top Cop Leslie James

GCCI

The GCCI, which was an accredited observer during the recent elections, also expressed concern in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the Chamber, it is concerned over the growing hostility from the Police towards accredited party agents and observers.

According to the GCCI, they witnessed the Police threaten party agents with arrest when they questioned why they were being evicted from the Conference Centre.

GCCI, which is headed

by businessman Nicholas Boyer, therefore, urged the Police to cease the acts of intimidation and exercise restraint, and called on all right-thinking Guyanese to denounce such actions.

“Members of the GCCI’s electoral observer team were present on the evening of March 16th 2020, at the compound of the Arthur Chung International Conference Centre (ACICC) when a group of accredited observers and party agents who had convened a peaceful gathering outside of the building were confronted

by Riot Police and forced to leave the premises.”

The GCCI, added that it could confirm that the observers and party representatives who attempted to question ranks and gain clarity on the orders were subsequently threatened with incarceration.

“The GCCI condemns all attempts of intimidation by the GPF as such actions set an uncomfortable precedent for the treatment of those involved in elections observation, and also brings the GPF’s professionalism and impartiality into question.”

Police must be used to protect, not limit civil rights – former Top Cop …urges GPF not to “throw away honour to the dogs”

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former Commissioner of Police has come out in criticism of the actions of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Monday evening when they let loose on hapless party agents standing watch over the ballot boxes at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).

Police were accused of using excessive force when they evicted party agents who had a legitimate right to be there from the compound. According to retired

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, in an open letter on Wednesday, this is not the rightful purpose of officers and ranks in the Guyana Police Force.

“My thinking and experiences tell me that anti-democratic action of a few in our society cannot bear fruit without support of the Police. Let us not throw our honour to the dogs. It is on the Police that the society must rely for the immediate and effective protection of people’s consti-

“My thinking and experiences tell me that anti-democratic action of a few in our society cannot bear fruit without support of the Police. Let us not throw our honour to the dogs. It is on the Police that the society must rely for the immediate and effective protection of people’s constitutional guarantees. Let us not fail them” – Seelall Persaud, former Commissioner of Police

tutional guarantees. Let us not fail them,” the former Top Cop urged.

He added that the situation in Guyana was grave and, “as we are aware, political efforts to bring us through have failed over and over. It is left to the Police to give life and meaning to the enjoyment of civil rights by the law-abiding members of our society.”

According to Persaud, Guyana is already at the edge of a precipice that started since the drama started at the Former Top Cop Seelall Persaud

Region Four Returning Office that led to the fraudulent declaration of the Region Four results by Returning Officer (RO) Clairmont Mingo.

“So, it is crucial that you do not act as you did at the Region Four RO’s Office and the Arthur Chung Convention Center when you evicted people who had a legal right to be there and who were advancing the protection of Construction Rights of the Guyanese People.”

Another step in the direction it was moving since on or about March 3, 2020, he added, will cause Guyana to fall over into “unimaginable consequences from our own society and the international community. Consequences that will not only manifest into hardship and suffering for us but also for our children, elder and younger relatives and our relatives of the future”.

Community relations

The Police Force depends in large part on tips from the general public to solve crime.

In recent years, the Force’s leadership has worked on

building trust between the community and the Police.

According to Persaud, however, the Force’s recent actions have gone some way in eroding that trust.

He also noted that it was only in a tyrannical regime that the Police are let loose against ordinary, law-abiding citizens. According to Persaud, in a free regime, the Police are only used against those opposed to the general good.

“Please note that should your actions at the two places I mentioned continue, you will find yourselves separated from the community. Such separation will create social distance that will increase the extent to which the Force could be controlled and the extent to which the Police are seen as visible symbols of the Government and targeted as such,” he said.

The society, he pointed out, took note of the selective deployment of officers and ranks in the Force as well as the use of excessive force by them. “I appeal to you to take professional action and save our dear country from the few dissidents. The society you served had never been so heavily dependent on you in contemporary times. Be our

heroes,” Persaud appealed.

Conference Centre

After days of procrastination and the derailment of the verification of Region Four results, an agreement was brokered with the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to supervise a recount on Monday, of the votes from all the regions.

In fact, it was President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo who had agreed to Caricom’s help. The Arthur Chung Conference n Centre was chosen as the venue for the recount. The various party agents waited all day, but no recount occurred as GECOM first announced that an agreement would have to be signed, then that it was awaiting legal advice.

As the party agents stood guard over the ballot boxes, a fumigation crew from the Public Health Ministry and then Police dressed in riot gear arrived and began herding party agents out of the compound.

People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) GECOM Commissioner Robeson Benn had to be taken to the hospital after he was dragged by Police.

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Fire set to PPP Norway puts brakes on activist’s home climate aid to Guyana Amid post-election chaos

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orway has put the brakes on the release of NOK 393 million (US$36.2M) climate aid to Guyana in light of the current political situation following the March 2, General and Regional Elections.

Development Today, an independent online journal specialising in political, business and environmental issues, reported that the Climate Ministry in Oslo made this statement on Friday. ““No further decisions will be made on…planning or spending” of this money until a legitimate government is in place,” Development Today reported.

In December 2019, Government had announced that the remaining payments under the Guyana Norway Agreement to the tune of Gy$9.1 billion (US$50 million) had been released, but Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had tempered expectations by pointing out that Guyana will not have access to this money until after the General and Regional Elections.

Those elections were held on March 2, 2020 but the results have been marred by discredited results in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

Guyana had, in 2009, signed with Norway a historic forest protection accord which saw the coun-

try receiving payments for sustaining its rainforests to absorb global carbon emissions. A total of US$250 million were to be paid to Guyana over a five-year period.

Some US$200 million has already been paid over, and the final tranche was released in December 2019.

Jagdeo, a former Head of State had led the project under the ‘Low Carbon Development Strategy’ (LCDS).

Of the US$200 million already paid to Guyana, US$80 million has been injected to fund a 100-megawatt solar energy project.

That money was initially earmarked for the Amaila

Falls Hydro (AFH) Project.

The Amaila Falls Hydro Project was the flagship of the PPP’s Low Carbon Development Strategy. The project was expected to deliver electricity to Guyana’s capital, Georgetown, and its second-largest town, Linden, by an electric transmission line.

It would have assisted Guyana Power and Light to get adequate electricity supply, thus providing cheaper and more reliable power to citizens and businesses. However, the then Opposition (APNU/AFC), who had controlled the National Assembly by a oneseat majority, scrapped the project.

Wanted: Medellin Orlando Evans

Wanted: Carlos Evans

2 wanted for murder of WCB businessman

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Dead: Tony Bisnauth

he Guyana Police Force has issued wanted bulletins for two suspects in the murder of 78-year-old West Coast Berbice (WCB) businessman Tony Bisnauth, who was shot dead during a robbery at Rosignol, West Coast Berbice on Friday last.

Those wanted for questioning are: Medellin Orlando Evans, called “Mello”, 32, of Lot 61 Railway Line, Rosignol, WCB; and Carlos Evans,

called “Beast”, 28, of Lot 12 Section ‘C’, D’ Edward Village, WCB. Persons with information that may lead to the arrest of these two suspects are asked to contact the Police on 232-0291, 232-0313, 3302222, 226-3650, 226-1326, 911, or at the nearest Police station.

All information will be treated with the strictest confidence.

On Friday last, businessman Tony Bisnauth, called ‘Uncle Tony’ and ‘England Man’, of Cotton Tree, WCB, was shot dead by bandits who stormed his birthday celebration at Stelling Road, Rosignol.

According to Police reports, Bisnauth’s reputed wife, Sunita Khani, operates a business -- Sandra’s Snackette at Stelling Road -- and on the night in question, the couple were hosting relatives and friends in front of the snackette to celebrate the businessman’s birthday when three masked males,

two of whom were armed with handguns and the other with a chopper, pounced on them.

Khani told the Police that the bandits brandished their weapons and demanded valuables from those at the gathering. However, the guests refused to comply, and a scuffle ensued during which the suspects discharged several rounds, fatally injuring Bisnauth and wounding two others.

Those injured were 47-year-old Nateram Bridgelall, called ‘Bobby’, an electrician, and 25-year-

No party permits will be granted – Police

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he Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Tuesday announced that no applications for barbecue, fair, party or public event permits would be processed until further notice.

The decision to not process these applications is “in pursuance of mitigatory measures against coronavirus (COVID-19) to dissuade large gatherings and assemblies”, the GPF has said.

Regional Police Commanders across the country were instructed not to entertain such requests.

Following the discovery of COVID-19 cases in Guyana, several major national entertainment events were cancelled.

So far, the Mayor and Town Council of Linden has cancelled the Linden Town

Week. Also, the Rupununi Rodeo has been cancelled in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

The Magnum Stage Show, which was expected to feature international artistes, has been postponed. The organisers of the Guyana Carnival have also announced that they too would be postponing their event.

Police Commissioner Leslie James on Tuesday, at a press conference, stated that the GPF was joining the rest of the world by im-

plementing the measures to protect ranks from the disease.

Guyana has so far recorded five cases of COVID-19.

The cases are all linked to one family. One of the family members, a 52-yearold woman, who flew home from New York in early March, was the first case recorded and died from the virus while the others subsequently tested positive. The family members have all been taken to a mandatory quarantine facility on the West Coast of Demerara.

old Mahendra Nagamootoo, called ‘Karan’, a carpenter, both of Stelling Road, Rosignol, WCB. The suspects then relieved persons of their cash, jewellery and cellphones before making good their escape.

The victims were rushed to the Fort Wellington Hospital, where the 78-yearold businessman was pronounced dead on arrival.

The burnt chair and scorched wall in the activist’s house

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fire was set to the home of a Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) activist on the Corentyne, East Berbice, Region Six, on Tuesday night.

This is the second time in three nights that the suspects have gone to the activist’s home. Guyana Times understands that the first attack was on Saturday, but the men, who managed to open the window, did not go into the building. However, on Tuesday night, they wrenched opened a window and set fire to a plastic chair inside the house. A small section of the wall where the chair was situated was also scorched as a result of the fire.

Neighbours saw the flames billowing inside the building and alerted family members of the activist, who were asleep. The fire was quickly extinguished without much damage to the home and belongings inside.

The political activist, speaking under the condition of anonymity, said he and his family are now living in fear, since it is the second time that his house

has been targeted since the weekend.

“On Saturday, at about 9 O’clock, two persons come and break the northside window, and my wife and my three children were at home alone and they were screaming for about 10 minutes, and when neighbours came, then they (perpetrators) go away; but they did not get to go into the house,” he related.

He explained that about one and a half weeks ago, two persons riding a motorcycle were in the community enquiring about him and trying to find out where he lives. Also, on Saturday, there were persons in a car driving around the community trying to find out where he lives. Then, hours later, there was the first attack on his home.

“This is political. They did not come to carry away anything, just to destroy property or to get at me,” he insisted.

Meanwhile, another senior official of the same party in Berbice has also called in the Police to investigate threats on his life.

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guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020

Regional

Chile’s Pinera declares 90-day state of IMF denies Venezuela catastrophe over coronavirus outbreak emergency aid to help fight coronavirus C hilean President Sebastian Pinera on Wednesday declared a 90-day state of catastrophe as cases of the new coronavirus mounted in the nation, giving the Government extraordinary powers to restrict freedom of movement and assure food supply and basic services.

A military official will oversee the 90-day measure, which is set to take effect this morning. More restrictive actions would be implemented progressively, as dictated by the advance of the virus.

“This state (of catastrophe) is aimed at...preparing ourselves to confront what lies ahead,” Pinera said in a speech from the La Moneda presidential palace.

A custom worker checks a person's temperature at the border between Chile and Peru, after Chile's Government's announcement of the border closure in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at Chacalluta check point, Arica, Chile, March 17, 2020 (Ibar Silva photo)

Pinera said there were 238 cases of coronavirus confirmed in Chile, but no deaths. The country has

closed schools, shut down its borders, and limited public gatherings as the number of cases has multi-

plied.

Pinera said the order would also assure more security for hospitals, protect supply chains for medicines, and allow the Government to enforce quarantines and isolation measures.

The move is likely to stamp out any remaining protests over inequality after they were reignited in early March following several turbulent months of demonstrations and riots in late 2019.

Chilean politicians earlier this week began discussions to postpone a referendum on a new constitution scheduled for April 26. A new magn a carta was a central demand of widespread social protests, but those have faded with the pandemic. (Reuters)

Jamaica records 1st COVID-19 death, sets aside J$25B for fight against disease

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amaica has recorded its first COVID-19 death, the Health Ministry announced Wednesday afternoon.

The 79-year-old man from Clarendon died on Wednesday about 15:00h at the isolation facility at the Mandeville Regional Hospital after his condition started to deteriorate.

He was being prepared to be transferred to the University Hospital of the West Indies for intensive care when he died.

The man had diabetes and hypertension and had returned from New York, United States. He had tested positive today.

He had presented at the Lionel Town Hospital in Clarendon with symptoms on March 16.

Two more positive cases have also been confirmed, bringing the country's total confirmed COVID-19 cases to 15.

Meanwhile, a day after Prime Minister Andrew Holness promised an eco-

nomic response to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Government on Tuesday outlined a J$25 billion fiscal stimulus package to cushion the impact of the virus on businesses and workers.

Describing it as “the largest fiscal stimulus in Jamaica's history”, Finance Minister, Dr Nigel Clarke told the House of Representatives “pumping $25 billion into the economy at a time of uncertainty like this helps to support

economic activity” in the country.

The banking sector, he said, has volunteered to forgo the reduction of the asset tax that he had outlined in his budget presentation last week for one year, thereby adding J$3 billion to the J$7 billion COVID-19 contingency he announced in his speech.

There were also grants set aside for individuals and businesses affected by the outbreak. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

Prime Minister Allen Chastanet

the routine process of contact tracing and that, “some of the close Prime Minister's contacts also voluntarily placed themselves into quarantine as a precaution, while we awaited the results.

“Along with the result for the Honourable Prime Minister, the Ministry of Health also received other results for patients in isolation and they are all negative," the statement said.

(CMC)

St Lucia PM tests negative for COVID-19

P

rime Minister Allen Chastanet has tested negative for the COVID-19 after he had been experiencing a “mild cough following a recent travel history to Miami for medical attention” the Health Ministry said Wednesday.

It said that in an abundance of caution Chastanet had opted to place himself into voluntary quarantine and that a sample was taken for testing by the rele-

vant authorities.

“The sample was sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency. The result was received late on the same day, March 17, 2020 and it is negative for COVID-19. The Honourable Prime Minister has been informed of his results. He is in stable condition and good spirits,” the statement said.

The Health Ministry said that prior to receiving the results, it had commenced

LIAT restricts flights to T&T, Guyana, Martinique and Guadeloupe

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egional carrier LIAT has restricted flights to Caribbean territories where entry to non-nationals have been barred.

A release from the airline said restrictions have been placed on entry to Trinidad, Guyana, Guadeloupe and Martinique.

These changes took effect from March 17.

Entry into Trinidad and Tobago is restricted for the next 14 days with the exception of nationals.

With effect from midnight

March 18, the Georgetown Flight Information Region shall be closed to all international arrivals for a period of 14 days. The Cheddi Jagan International and Eugene F Correia International Airport shall remain closed to all international flights.

LIAT will suspend all flights into and out of Eugene F Correia International Airport, Guyana from March 19 – April 1.

Travel restrictions for French West Indies (Martinique And

Guadeloupe): LIAT will suspend all flights into and out of Martinique and Guadeloupe from March 19-April 3.

All passengers booked during the affected period will be allowed to rebook or cancel their bookings based on the LIAT Waiver Policy – COVID-19.

The following flights have been cancelled from March 17-23: LI 397 from Antigua to Trinidad, LI 397 from Trinidad to Ogle, Guyana, LI 398 from Ogle, Guyana to Trinidad, LI 398

from Trinidad to Antigua, LI 521 from Barbados to Ogle, Guyana, LI 512 from Ogle, Guyana to Barbados, LI 393 from Barbados to Ogle, Guyana, LI 392 from Ogle, Guyana to Barbados, LI 523 from Grenada to Trinidad, LI 727 from Grenada to Trinidad, LI 726 from Trinidad to St Vincent and LI 308 from Trinidad to St Vincent.

The new LIAT schedule will operate effective March 18. (Excerpt from Loopcayman.com)

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he International Monetary Fund (IMF) has rejected Venezuela's request for a US$5 billion loan to help it cope with the coronavirus pandemic.

Venezuela became the first country to request an emergency loan from the IMF on Tuesday and there are international concerns that its ravaged economy and public services will not cope with the spread of the virus.

However, the IMF rebuffed the request, claiming a lack of certainty over the legitimacy of President Nicolás Maduro's Government.

"Unfortunately, the Fund is not in a position to consider this request," because there is "no clarity" on international recognition of the country's government, the Washington-based institution said.

"As we have mentioned before, IMF engagement with member countries is predicated on official government recognition by the international community, as reflected in the IMF's

membership. There is no clarity on recognition at this time," the statement said.

President Maduro is not recognised as the country's leader by the West. The successor to Hugo Chávez is resisting a challenge to his rule by Juan Guaidó, an Opposition Leader backed by the United States and 50 other countries. The US, the largest shareholder of the IMF, has a veto over its coronavirus aid measures.

Guaidó, who declared himself acting president, branded President Maduro a usurper over his 2018 re-election in polls widely seen as fraudulent.

US sanctions and other international pressure have failed to dislodge President Maduro, who is backed by Venezuela's creditors China and Russia and retains the support of the powerful military.

President Maduro ordered a nationwide quarantine after the number of people infected with the virus nearly doubled to 33 on Monday. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Cuba and Jamaica to hold discussions about anti-viral drug

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he Jamaican Government is planning to have discussions with Cuba to get more information about its antiviral drug, Interferon Alpha 2B, which is said to be among medications being tried in the fight against the coronavirus.

Speaking at a press briefing at Jamaica House on Tuesday, Health and Wellness Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, said the discussion would focus on the drug and its effectiveness.

“Cuba and Jamaica enjoy very positive relations, and we are expecting a number of nurses to bolster our public health response towards this threat, based on the long tradition of working together that we have,” he said.

“To the extent that there is a new pharmaceutical response to COVID-19, we will be very interested to learn more about that, and so the conversation will continue in that regard,” the Minister said.

Leader of the Opposition, Dr Peter Phillips during his budget presentation in Parliament Tuesday said he had contacted the Government of Cuba in relation to assistance in the form of drugs to treat COVID-19 and added that

Health and Wellness Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton

he has written to Prime Minister Andrew Holness on the matter.

However, Dr Tufton advised that the country's medical team would first have to get the drug vetted by the standards agency before it was registered for use and made available to the Jamaican public.

“I have had discussions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade to enquire [about the drug], and to the extent that the drug represents a promise that has been placed in the public domain, we will certainly investigate and determine how best to use it,” he said. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

guyanatimesgy.com

OILNEWS Oil plummets 26% to 18-year low as global price war escalates

O

il prices plunged yet again on Wednesday, shedding as much as 26 per cent and falling to an 18-year low. The losses came as the resource battles a coronavirus-driven demand slowdown, as well as the continued escalation of a global price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia.

West Texas Intermediate crude fell as much as 26 per cent, to US$20.06 per barrel. Brent crude, the international benchmark, fell more than 14 per cent, to US$24.52 per barrel at intraday lows.

The commodity has slumped — shedding as much as 51 per cent this month alone — during the coronavirus pandemic. Global demand has taken a hit amid a wave of cancelled trips for airlines and cruise ships.

The outbreak also sparked a global price war between the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies as they could not agree on further production cuts.

Saudi Arabia and Russia are both preparing to boost production as soon as April. Saudi authorities have issued a statement nearly every day for the past week and a half raising the stakes in its showdown with Russia. Earlier this month, the kingdom said it would increase production to 12.3 million barrels per day from about 9.7 million.

That could send supply levels to a record, according to IHS Markit. The shock to supply and demand has slashed Wall Street’s outlook for the commodity.

Goldman Sachs has cut its forecasts twice in recent weeks and now thinks Brent could fall to US$20 per barrel. On Wednesday, analysts at Mizuho said the OPEC battle could lead to negative prices (Business Insider)

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020

17

Around the World

Global coronavirus cases surpass 200,000, as Italy deaths rise by record 475 in a day

A

s the number of infected pass the 200,000 mark globally, the number of people dying from coronavirus in Italy has risen by 475 in one day to nearly 3000 – the biggest increase since the outbreak.

There are a total of 35,713 confirmed cases in the country, with more than 4000 having successfully recovered.

Lombardy, the worst-hit region, recorded 319 deaths in one day.

Italy is the world’s worst affected country after China, where the virus originated last year. At least 8758 people have died, most in China.

The vast majority of the more than 200,000 confirmed cases – 80 per

cent – have occurred in Europe and the Western Pacific region, which includes much of Asia, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says.

Many countries have taken drastic measures, including social distancing and cancelling major events to help slow transmission and reduce pressure on the health systems.

“But to suppress and control epidemics, countries must isolate, test, treat and trace,” the WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday.

Italy has been on lockdown for almost two weeks as authorities try to halt the progress of the virus.

People have been asked to stay indoors – but the number of deaths has

continued to spiral.

The WHO’s emergencies director, Mike Ryan, said this was probably due to the “astonishing” number of cases within the health systems, as well as the high number of elderly people in the population at large.

Dr Tedros hailed the beginning of the first vaccine trial so soon after the emergence of the virus as “an incredible achievement”.

The first human trial of a vaccine began in the US at the Kaiser Permanente research facility in Seattle earlier this week. But experts warn that it will be many months before it is clear if it will work. (Excerpt from BBC News)

EU entry ban hits travellers as lockdown widens

T

ravellers from outside the European Union are being turned away from airports and borders after the 27-country bloc imposed a 30-day ban to halt the spread of coronavirus.

A group flying in from Turkey was turned away from Germany’s biggest airport in Frankfurt late on Tuesday, DPA news agency reports.

Meanwhile, Spain now has 598 dead and 13,716 infections. In France, the number of confirmed cases grew by more than 16 per cent on Tuesday, reaching 7730, while the death toll rose to 175, with seven per cent of the dead aged under 65. In the UK, the number of dead has reached 104. Germany has 12 deaths and 8198 cases. In a TV address, Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Germans to abide by restrictions aimed

The whole of Italy has been on lockdown for almost two weeks

at combating the pandemic. Belgium has 14 deaths and 1486 cases.

In many countries, people have

been urged to stay at home as much as possible and only essential travel is allowed. (Excerpt from BBC News)

US-Canada border to close amid virus crisis

U

S President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have agreed to close the USCanada border to all non-essential travel in an attempt to curb the spread of coronavirus.

“We will be, by mutual consent, temporarily closing

our northern border with Canada,” Trump tweeted.

He said trade would not be affected.

Both countries had already issued sweeping travel bans, but had maintained exemptions for each other.

Canada relies on the US for approximately 75 per cent of its exports.

The two leaders discussed the changes on Wednesday, Trudeau said.

“I want to be clear though that essential travel will still continue,” he said at a press conference.

“No matter who you are or what you do, this is a time when you should be focused on your health and that of

your neighbours. Not: are you going to lose your job, are you going to run out of money for food or medications.”

Details of the final deal have yet to be released in writing, but both leaders have stressed that cross-border trade will not be blocked.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

hina has effectively expelled journalists from three US newspapers in retaliation for restrictions on its news outlets in the United States.

Its Foreign Ministry ordered reporters from

the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal to return media passes within 10 days.

The papers criticised the move, which will affect at least 13 reporters.

The Times said it was a mistake for China to cut itself off while the WSJ called it an attack on press freedom.

“We unequivocally condemn any action by China to expel US reporters,” said

Washington Post Executive Editor Marty Baron. He said the decision was particularly regrettable because it came during the global crisis over the coronavirus.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Side effects of COVID-19: Why China to restrict US Journalists from 3 major newspapers it is oil hoarding time for India C

I

ndia runs on coal and travels on oil. Oil and coal and their products make up four of the top five imports for India. In value terms, crude oil is the single largest import contributor and has consistently accounted for more than 20 per cent of India’s imports basket.

Any fluctuation in crude oil prices is bound to impact Indian economy. Inflation, current account deficit (CAD), fiscal deficit and overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate get favourably or adversely impacted.

The RBI in January estimated that a crude price shock will be followed by high CAD to GDP ratio if price increase is passed on directly to the final consumers.

There have been suggestions that India should stockpile oil when the prices are favourable in the international markets. The current prices of crude oil present one such situation for India. The crude oil fell below US$30 per barrel on Monday. On Wednesday, the prices fell below US$26 per barrel.

The favourable oil situation for India is punctuated by the novel coronavirus spread. It has reduced demand for oil sharply in many countries. India’s current SPR or crude oil reserve is about 39 million barrels. (Excerpt from India Today)

Dow closes down 1338 pts, having earlier erased all Trump gains

C

oronavirus fears continued to inject unprecedented volatility into US markets on Wednesday, hammering stock prices, roiling oil prices and even taking the shine off of gold.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 1338 points or 6.3 per cent – its lowest level since February 2017.

During the session, the 30-share index crossed a milestone, falling more than seven per cent to erase all of its gains since US President

Wednesday marked a sharp reversal from Tuesday, when more emergency moves by the US Federal Reserve to unclog credit markets – and details of the White House’s one-trillion-dollar stimulus plan for countering the disruptions of coronavirus – helped lure buyers back into stocks

Donald Trump took office, before recovering some ground in the final stretch of trading.

The broader S&P 500 – a gauge for the health of US retirement and college savings accounts – closed down 5.17 per cent. At one point, the index tumbled more than seven per cent, tripping circuit breakers to halt trading for 15 minutes.

The Nasdaq Composite Index finished the session down 4.7 per cent. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

PEANUTS

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Forget about what isn’t going your way and focus on what is. Taking the path of least resistance will lead to gains that you won’t want to miss. Romance is featured.

Use charm to dodge a negative narrative. As long as you are honest, you will be able to outmaneuver others. You’ll have regrets if you lend or borrow money or possessions.

Check personal documents and make the necessary adjustments. If you offer to help someone who could use your expertise and advice, you will be given something unexpected and valuable in return.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

A clash is likely to take place if you address a sensitive issue with someone who doesn’t share your opinion.

You’ll do better if you focus on a cause you believe in.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Extra time and effort will lead to substantial gains. A partnership with someone like-minded will motivate you to do more. A challenging opportunity will lead to more responsibility and a higher income.

LIBRA

Take on a creative project that you find stimulating. Use your talent and skills to make personal improvements. Someone from a different cultural background will inspire you.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Helping others is admirable, but at what expense, is the question.

Know when you have done enough, and back away before someone takes you for granted. Protect your reputation.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

void emotional disputes. Focus on what’s essential and finish what you start. Refuse to let anyone back you into a corner. A personal change is in your best interest.

You may feel like having SAGITTARIUS some fun, but don’t go over(Nov. 23board or associate with exDec. 21) cessive or deceptive people.

Say no to temptation and yes to a healthy lifestyle.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Make the changes that will help you achieve your financial and professional goals. Discuss your longterm plans with a loved one.

An unexpected gift, offer or proposal is heading your way.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

If you offer to help someone, you will start your day off right. Your kindness and generosity will bring about a positive turn of events.

Honesty and integrity will pay off.

SOLUTION FOR YESTERDAY’S PUZZLE

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Intelligence coupled with insight will lead you to the winner’s circle. Use your imagination to come up with a plan that will help you outsmart anyone who challenges you.

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020

19

Coronavirus:

T

he United States Tennis Association (USTA) says it has not ruled out the possibility of switching the US Open to a later date, after the French Open was moved back to September.

USTA says it is assessing all options, but is not currently implementing any changes to its schedule. The US Open, which is played in New York, is due to begin on 31 August.

USTA has also criticised the French Tennis Federation's unilateral decision to move the dates of Roland Garros.

The event in Paris was due to be played from May 24 to June 7, but will instead take place from September 20 to October 4. That means it will begin just one week after the completion of the US Open.

"At a time when the world is coming together, we recognise that such a decision should not be made unilaterally," the USTA statement said.

"Therefore, the USTA would only [act] in full consultation with the other Grand Slam tournaments, the WTA and ATP, the ITF and our partners, including the Laver Cup." The new dates for the

French Open mean it would clash with a string of ATP and WTA events, including the start of the traditional Asian leg of the season.

It is also scheduled at the same time as the Laver Cup - the annual men's team event between Europe and the Rest of the World. This competition is the brainchild of Roger Federer's Team8 agency, and is supported by the US Open, the Australian Open and the ATP Tour.

This year's event is already sold out, and the response from the Laver Cup to the French Federation's decision was curt.

"This announcement came as a surprise to us and our partners," it said in a statement.

"It raises many questions, and we are assessing the situation.

At this time, we want our fans, sponsors, broadcasters, staff, volunteers, players and the great city of Boston to know that we intend to hold Laver Cup 2020 as currently scheduled."

The French Federation said on Thursday that the "current

Flushing Meadows traditionally hosts the final Grand Slam of the year

confinement measures have made it impossible for us to continue with our preparations".

In a conference call with reporters, it said it would be unthinkable for the season's only clay-court Grand Slam not to go ahead.

It said it chose the fortnight that would cause the least inconvenience to the other tours, but admitted it simply informed

them - rather than consulted them - about the decision.

Britain's Jamie Murray was among a group of players to express his surprise.

"Strong move by French Open/FFT to move to end of Sept," the Scot posted on Twitter. “I thought the powers that be in tennis were supposed to be all about working together these days?

The frustration will be that the FFT acted on its own, with no regard for any of the other stakeholders in tennis."

There is already friction between the Grand Slams and some of the players, who do not feel they receive a large enough share of the profits generated.

Meanwhile, the All England Club says it "continues to plan" for Wimbledon and the grass-

court season, albeit with a limited onsite team.

But Chief Executive Richard Lewis said in a statement that "it remains a continuously evolving situation, and we will act responsibly, in the best interests of wider society".

This year's Wimbledon is due to take place between June 29 and July 12. (BBC Sport)

Coronavirus: −the stats from Barcelona's worst season since Rijkaard

E

ven before the coronavirus pandemic hit Spain, it had been an uneasy season for Barcelona, despite the Blaugrana sitting top of La Liga by two points when the division's suspension was confirmed.

It remains to be seen whether the 2019-20 season resumes at all; it is not outside the realms of possibility that the campaign is voided across Europe, even if the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) insists it would be finished.

If it were to be nulled, one gets the feeling that few associated with Barcelona would be especially angry to see the back of 2019-20, even if it means the title is no longer attainable, as strange as that sounds.

With the help of OPTA data, we've taken a look back at Barcelona's campaign, and despite the issues surrounding the club, Lionel Messi unsurprisingly still comes out well…

Barca in 2019-20

58: - Barca have 58 points at the 27-match mark, making it their worst haul at this point of the season since 2007/08 – the campaign before Pep Guardiola took charge – when they had 54 at this stage. Frank Rijkaard was in charge at the time.

1: - Ernesto Valverde became the first La Liga coach, since Radomir Antic in 1991-92, to be dismissed in the same season he was top of the table during Spain's winter break. Johan Cruyff's Barca won the title that year.

63: - Barca's haul of 63 goals is also the fewest they have managed after 27 matches since netting 52 in 2007/08, when they finished third.

5: - Five defeats have already been inflicted upon Barca this season, more than in any of the previous 11 La Liga seasons.

Messi shoulders the burden

31: - With 19 goals, Messi is La Liga's

top scorer this season. But that's by no means all he has contributed; the Argentinian dynamo has also provided 12 assists in La Liga, more than any other player.

2: - Indeed, Messi is one of only two players to reach double figures for both goals and assists across Europe's top five leagues. The other player is Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho (G:14, A:15).

438: - Messi became the leading alltime goal-scorer across Europe's top five leagues as well, having taken his tally to 438 from 474 matches. His eternal rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, remains on his heels, however; the Portugal icon having 437 from 540 outings.

The rest

1,002: - Quique Setien joined Barca with a reputation of having an obsession for possession. So, it's perhaps unsurprising that in his La Liga debut with the club, he became only the third coach since records began in 2005-06 to oversee a team that attempted over 1,000 passes in a single match. Against Granada, Barca tried 1,002.

3: - Ansu Fati became the third youngest goal-scorer in La Liga history (16 years, 304 days) when he scored against Osasuna in August. Only Fabrice Olinga (16 years, 98 days) and Iker Muniain (16 years, 289 days) were younger when they opened their respective accounts.

(Sportsmax)

E

ngland bowler James Anderson says he is feeling "a bit anxious" because of the impact coronavirus could have on his professional and personal life.

A possible rescheduling of the cricket season will be discussed on Thursday. The 2020 County Championship is due to begin on 12 April, while England are set to play West Indies in a three-Test series starting on 4 June.

"Cricket and sport is not the be all and end all but it is my livelihood, it's all I know," Anderson, 37, said. "There's a chance we might not even bowl a ball this summer."

The England and Wales Cricket Board (EWCB) has said all options are being looked at, including postponements and playing games behind closed doors. England's tour to Sri Lanka was called off last week, while England and Nottinghamshire batsman Alex Hales and six Surrey men's players are all self-isolating.

Hampshire Chairman Rod Bransgrove has said one

contingency may be "playing no cricket at all" this season.

Anderson, England's leading wicket-taker in Tests, last played in the second Test against South Africa in January, before a rib injury ruled him out of the rest of the series.

He had been left out of the squad for England's cancelled two-Test tour of Sri Lanka in the hope of being fully fit for the start of the summer.

"The season is unlikely to start," Anderson said in speaking to the BBC's Tailenders podcast. "It's still a little bit hazy as to what's going to happen. I feel a little bit anxious; just the ‘not knowing’ is giving me a bit of anxiety.

Also, trying to keep a young family healthy. I am trying to stay calm, follow the guidelines.

"My wife's mum and dad live in Spain, so they are in lockdown. They are in the age group where there are concerns. The anxiety is building up in our house because of not knowing what will happen in the next few months." (BBC Sport)

20

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

-considering rescheduling CPL to December

E

Captains Jason Holder and Joe Root pose with the Wisden Trophy

ngland's home series against the West Indies could be rescheduled to September, or even played in the Caribbean, because of the COVID-19 crisis.

At present, the sides are scheduled to play three Tests in England, with the

first due to start at The Kia Oval on June 4. But with it now all but inevitable that the start of the English domestic season will be significantly delayed, and with COVID-19 cases in the UK anticipated to peak in June, it seems highly unlikely that the series would proceed as planned.

ESPNcricinfo understands that the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) have held several discussions in recent days. The options under consideration include the possibility of rescheduling the series with September being the most obvious time - or staging it in the Caribbean.

It is understood that CWI have also offered to host England's three-Test series against Pakistan, scheduled to start on July 30.

While there are COVID-19 cases in the Caribbean, the virus appears at this stage to have taken hold far more in the UK. There have, for example, been only two cases reported in both Barbados and St Lucia, and one in Antigua.

"I've spoken to Tom Harrison a couple of times in the last few days," Jonny Grave, CWI's CEO, told ESPNcricinfo, "and assured him that we will be as flexible, supportive and helpful as possible.

"To that end, yes, we have offered to host the series here in the Caribbean, if that is deemed helpful. The ECB would retain all commercial and broadcast rights.

"This is not about us trying to take advantage of the situation; it's about the cricket community working together at a difficult time for everyone. And

Coronavirus:

D

e Blasio took to social media after the Nets announced four players had tested positive for COVID-19, including injured superstar Kevin Durant, whose positive test comes after the Utah Jazz pair of Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell had contracted the virus, which continues to disrupt sports across the globe, with the NBA on hiatus.

one of the many great things about the Caribbean is (that) we can play cricket all year round. There has long been a special relationship between the cricket communities in the Caribbean and England, and we wanted to make it clear we will do everything we can to help."

England are also scheduled to host Ireland for three ODIs in mid-September. It is possible, however, that two England squads: one Test and the other limited-overs, could be in action in different places at the same time.

West Indies also have other commitments later in the year. They are scheduled to host New Zealand (in three ODIs and three T20Is) between July 8 and July 19, before South Africa arrive (for two Tests and five T20Is) between July 23 and August 16.

Financially, the series against England is more valuable to CWI however, so it remains possible those tours could also be rescheduled.

CWI are also understood to be considering the possibility of rescheduling the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) to December, if necessary.

This would see it

running for just three or four weeks -probably requiring the need for several double-headers over the Christmas and New Year period -- and put it in competition with Australia's Big Bash League.

In a fast-moving situation, it seems all possibilities will be considered, and it is far too early to confirm any details. (cricinfo)

Coronavirus:

In response to testing criticism, NBA spokesperson Mike Bass told ESPN: "Public health authorities and team doctors have been concerned that, given NBA players' direct contact with each other and close interactions with the general public, in addition to their frequent travel, they could accelerate the spread of the virus.

De Blasio questioned the Nets as the world struggles to contain coronavirus, with at least 7,900 deaths.

"Following two players testing positive last week, others were tested, and five additional players tested positive.

"We wish them [Nets] a speedy recovery," De Blasio wrote in a tweet. "But, with all due respect, an entire NBA team should NOT get tested for COVID-19 while there are critically ill patients waiting to be tested. Tests should not be for the wealthy, but for the sick."

"Hopefully, by these players choosing to make their test results public, they have drawn attention to the critical need for young people to follow CDC recommendations in order to protect others, particularly those with underlying health conditions and the elderly." (sportsmax)

A

t least until the end of April, all road cycling events have been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Union Cycliste International (UCI) announced on Wednesday.

Just three days after announcing a suspension on all events until April 3, the UCI extended the hiatus in the calendar following a meeting

with race organisers, teams and riders.

The resumption date will be reviewed during the intervening period, with events on the calendar at that point, the three Grand Tours and the sport's Monuments, to be given priority in any rescheduling procedure.

The Giro d'Italia, which was due to start on May 9, has already been postponed; while the Tour of Flanders, Paris/Roubaix, and Liege/Bastogne/Liege - three of the five Monuments - will no longer take place as planned.

A UCI statement read: "With this decision, cycling wishes to be able to guarantee the visibility of our sport, which will find itself in competition with other major international sports events, while ensuring the best possible exposure for the most-viewed races.

"Moreover, the UCI would like to make

clear that the men’s and women's road season may be extended until November 1, 2020.

"The principle of flexibility could also be envisaged when it comes to the number of cyclists entered by teams at events.

"These decisions will be submitted to the UCI Management Committee and the Professional Cycling Council (PCC) for approval.

"Finally, the UCI proposed that cycling's stakeholders hold regular meetings to better anticipate the resumption when the time comes.

"For disciplines other than road, the UCI will make a detailed announcement at a later date."

Mitchelton-Scott, Movistar, Astana and Jumbo-Visma were among a host of teams to pull out of races at the start of March due to the coronavirus outbreak. (sportsmax)

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020

Early Season Classic…

21

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T

he middle-distance 800-metre event is always one of the most challenging ones, pushing track athletes to balance their speed and stamina in order to produce excellent performances.

With the juniors and seniors competing together at the Early Season Classic held over the past weekend, it was interesting to see how both groups of athletes would respond to the challenges they confronted.

When the dust had finally settled on the 800m event, the final race on Sunday, Adriel Austin of the Running Brave Athletics Club (RBAC) and Devaun ‘Scooby’ Barrington of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) emerged victors in the respective female and male events.

CARIFTA hopeful Adriel Austin was quite pleased with winning the gold medal, although she had not stuck to some aspects of her game plan.

“I realized I went through my first lap very fast, according to my coach; but it was good! It was good!” she noted.

This 16-year-old, who had won bronze in her pet event at the 2019 CARIFTA Games, highlighted her prime fitness in the previous year, and shared that it is her goal to get back to that stage, or even to better it.

“It was tough getting back to where I was last year, but I think I can do another personal best at CARIFTA,” Austin explained.

Having also taken gold in the 400m event over the weekend, Austin said that while it is still early in the athletics season, she is working towards recording another personal best time in the near future.

“To me, I didn’t really (like) the time I did, but I know I can improve on it. I’m looking to do a 02:09m here,” she confided.

Running Brave’s Adriel Austin won the 400m An experienced campaigner and 800m events

“The guy that got second, Courtly Bobb, it was a good showing for a junior to do 01:54m in Guyana. It’s really good! The future of athletics is looking bright with regards to the youngsters coming through the system,” he opined. (Jemima Holmes)

Devaun Barrington, crossing the finish line

Third round action in the Essequibo Coast T/20 Bash…

I

mpressive performances were recorded at various grounds across Region Two in the third round of play in the ongoing Essequibo Coast T/20 Bash.

At the Pomona Ground

The Cotton Field Strikers defeated the Jaguars Over40 by 87 runs. Winning the toss and batting first, Strikers posted 170-5 in 20 overs, with Carlos Yhap making 51, Rajeev Kissoon 28, and Yashpaul Singh 25.

Bowling for the Jaguars, E. R. Latchman took 1-17 and Paton 1-35.

Replying, Jaguars made 84 all out in 16.4 overs, with Nisan Khan contributing 38. Bowling for Strikers, Rajendra Benni took 4-16, Ghansham Jainarine took 2-5, & Eon Dookie 2-23.

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223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

from the GDF took gold in the male 800m event.

Commonly referred to as ‘Scooby’, Devaun Barrington declared how gratified he was for the win, and shared that the quality of athletes in the event caused him to push harder for success.

This athlete also expressed optimism that he could better the time he took to cross the finish line.

“I just want to give thanks and praise to ‘The Most High’. This was my first 800m (race) for the year, and a lot of pressure was on me to deliver.

These young guys have been running excellent throughout the season, so coming out here and opening with a 01:52m shows great signs of things to come,” he declared.

“The race ran exactly into my strategic plan, so it was well executed on my behalf,” Barrington went on to state.

Highlighting the impressive performance of Courtly Bobb of the Police Progressive Youth Club, Barrington said that Bobb placing second in the race speaks to the high quality of the current crop of young athletes, and is a great sign for the future of athletics in Guyana.

Punraj Singh bagged 7 wickets for 8 runs

defeated New Opportunity Corps by 28 runs. Batting first, Knight Riders scored 138 all out in 19 overs, with Norwayne Fredericks contributing 32 and Norman Fredericks 22.

Bowling for NOC, Miguel Jones took 2-18, Akenie Adams took 2-20 and Joshua Paul took 2-30.

NOC replied with 111 all out in 19 overs, with David Williams making 30 and Kevon Boodie making 23.

Bowling for Knight Riders, Garfield Philips took 4-9 and Saif Ally took 3-23.

At the Golden Fleece Ground

Golden Fleece defeated Scheme Gunners by 3 wickets. Batting first, Scheme Gunners scored 74 for 6 in 15 overs.

Bowling for Golden Fleece, T. Sankar took 2-9, R.Nankishore took 1-9, and Eiknauth Persaud took 1-13.

Golden Fleece replied with 77 for 7 in 12.5 overs, with S. Horrilall scoring 20 and Jeewan Singh making 18 as the main run-scorers.

Bowling for Scheme Gunners, R. Latchman took 2-6, I. Wahab took 2-18, and R. Mohamed took 2-21.

Young Achievers defeated Jaguars Sports Club by 35 runs. Batting first, Achievers made 77 all out in 17.5 overs, with Nouraj Mohan scoring 28.

Bowling for Jaguars, A. Thomas took 4-10, A. Wazim took 3-11, and O. Gibson took 2-13.

Jaguars could score only 42 in 11.3 overs, with F. Mohamed top-scoring with 14.

Bowling for Achievers,

Danesh Narine took 3-5, Navesh Ramdial took 3-10, and Nouraj Mohan took 2-9.

At the Affiance Ground

Affiance Sports Club defeated Spartan Challengers by 73 runs. Batting first, Affiance made 182 for 4 in 20 overs, with D. Sookdeo scoring 62, Yogesh Singh 44, and Eishwar Singh 33.

Bowling for Challengers, Adjhodia Lall took 2-28 and Kushial Hemraj took 2-32.

Challengers responded with 109 in 16.4 overs, with Alex Clementson contributing 45 and Kamesh Lall 27.

Bowling for Affiance, Ganesh Mangal took 3-18 and Omesh Yogeshur took 3-21.

Queenstown defeated WD’s Gunners by 5 wickets.

Gunners posted 119-8 in 20 overs, with Damian Warten contributing 25 and Hemant Beharry 14.

Bowling for Queenstown, Akil Wallace took 4-33, and Herel Green and Romal Hubbard each took a wicket.

Queenstown responded with 120 for 5 in 16 overs.

Johnathan Fernandes contributed 70 and Herel Green 18.

Bowling for the Gunners, Suresh Persaud took 3-26 and Ron Calendar 2-13.

At the Imam Bacchus Ground

A destructive spell of swing bowling from Punraj Singh saw the Bacchus Bulls defeat Lima United by 10 wickets.

Winning the toss and batting first, Lima United were routed for 29 in 7.1 overs, with Faizal Karim making 14.

Punraj Singh grabbed 7 for 8, and Lallbachan Narine

took 3 for 16.

Bulls responded with 30 without loss, made in 4 overs, with Mohindra Balbadar contributing 17 not out and Neiland Codogan doing likewise with 10.

Walton Hall Sports Club defeated United Warriors by 36 runs. Batting first, Walton Hall made 164 for 6 in 20 overs, with Vishwanauth Lall scoring 54, Uvin Balgobin 30, and Devendra Balgobin 25.

Bowling for the Warriors, S. Boucher took 4-25 and Shaquille Rigby 2-26.

Warriors responded with 128 for 8 in 20 overs, with Orlando Jailall scoring 44, Kurty Jones 22, and S.V. Dusraj 21.

Bowling for Walton Hall, Suresh Persaud took 2-31 and N. Bahadur took 2-26.

At the Reliance Ground

Reliance Hustlers defeated Crown X1 by 89 runs.

Winning the toss and batting first, Hustlers made 262 for 3 in 20 overs, of which Ramesh Narine made 107 not out, Abdool Nadir made 80, and Mark Austin 36.

Bowling for Crown X1, S. Rajbanie took 1-17 and R. Taijballi took 1-33.

Crown X1 responded with 173 for 7 in 20 overs. B. Dasrat and A. Persaud each scored 26, while S. Rajbani scored 21; they were the main run- getters.

Bowling for the Hustlers, S. Fraser took 3-24 and M.Pearson took 2-33.

At the Walton Hall Ground

Devonshire Castle defeated Reliance Sports Club by 24 runs. Batting first, Castle scored 163 for 8 in 20 overs.

Ramesh Narine scored 107

Anthony Persaud made 44, Dinesh Chattergoon made 31 and Suruj Lall 30.

Bowling for Reliance, Ravindra Doodnauth took 4-19 and Basil Persaud took 2-37.

Reliance ended their reply on 139 for 7 in 20 overs. Elroy Stephney made 37 and Basil Persaud 23.

Bowling for Castle, Dinesh Chattergoon took 3-28 and R. Persaud took 2-18.

Rising Stars defeated Charity Sports Club by 97 runs. Winning the toss and batting, Rising Star made 191 for 9 in 20 overs. Latchman Rohit contributed 66, Kemol Savory 40, Gavin Sharma 30, and Mavindra Dindayal 23.

Bowling for Charity, Sanjeev Ramdeen took 4-19 and Hassan Rahim took 3-11.

Charity posted 94 all out in 15.2 overs, with Suresh Dindial contributing 26 and Ezra McAlmond 25.

Bowling for Rising Stars, Quintin Sampson took 4-18, Ansar Khan took 2-13, and Otis Roberts took 2-14.

22

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Andrew Ifill Knockout Basketball Tournament…

UG Trojans Coach Warren Wilson (at left)

By Timothy Jaikarran

T

he Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) decided, on Thursday March 12), to postpone the start of the inaugural Andrew Ifill Knockout Tournament fol-

lowing announcement of the country’s first case of the COVID-19 virus being detected.

Coach of the University of Guyana Trojans team, Warren Wilson, is however confident that when the tournament resumes,

his side would dominate the proceedings.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport, Wilson was asked how the squad was preparing despite the COVID-19 setback, and he responded as follows: “Our U21 and Open

teams have a good mix of people. Once they keep their minds on (the task ahead), I am confident they can come out on top.

“Unfortunately, when I looked at the fixtures, only one of the U21 teams will stand a chance, because one of the games we will have to play (against) ourselves, meaning ‘UG A’ would battle ‘UG B’.

“But I know that both sides will play with heart, and I know that in the end, as a team, we will do well.”

Wilson noted that despite not being able to practise because of the current pandem-

T

Region 3 Masters T20 Matchup…

he President and Executives of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) would like to extend hearty congratulations to the management and players of the Berbice Trophy Stall Under-15 and Female teams for winning their respective inter-county tournaments organised by the

ic, the players are going out on their own to work on the basics, such as ball handling. He said they are trying to stay as fit as possible and maintain a healthy lifestyle, so the team won’t be lackadaisical when the tournament resumes.

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

collective unit to select the best Berbice teams.

“Over the last two years, the BCB has organised numerous cricket tournaments at all levels, and has made a great effort to invest heavily in junior and female cricket. We have also organised countrywide coaching sessions in efforts to make sure

Under-21 divisions. Eagles, Colts, Sonics, UG-A 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.

Sarwan, N a n d Persaud & Co. Ltd, and New York Business Group for their sponsorship of our junior and female tournaments.

“We were a little

I

n the Region Three Masters T20I matchup involving teams resident west of the Demerara river, the West Bank Demerara Masters have extended their winning streak by defeating the Parika EBE Masters in what can only be called a one-sided affair.

Parika Masters won the toss and elected to bat. Never in the game, they were bowled out for 129 in 20 overs, a score that was little more than a-run-a ball.

They fell to the West Demerara side because they were never able to get partnerships going, and picked the wrong deliveries to play their shots.

They played a below-par game, the disciplined line-and-length bowling being too much for them.

H. Coulscel with 25 not out (3x4,1x6), R Rambandu with 22 (3x4), and Y Armstrong with 20 (2x4) were the top scorers for Parika.

Bowling for West Bank Demerara Masters, Seecharran Persaud took 4 wickets for 16 runs in 4 overs; Abid Haniff took 2 wickets for 22 runs in 4 overs; and Seenarine Mathura took 2 wickets for 22 runs in 4 overs.

In reply, West Bank Demerara Masters overtook that score in 14.1 overs and for the loss of only 2 wickets. They played their natural game, and Elroy Fernandes was again among the runs,

Berbice Female team

Master blaster Elroy Fernandes

sending almost every delivery to the boundary.

He bludgeoned a quick-fire 72 (5x4,7x6) with able support of 15 each from Mathura (1x6) and Chabiraj Ramcharran (2x4).

Bowling for Parika Masters, Ajit took 1 wicket for 30 runs from 4 overs, and R Rambarose took 1 wicket for 24 runs from 2.1 overs.

Guyana Cricket Board.

The Under 15 team played unbeaten to lift the Dave’s Imports title, while the females brought home the Superbet 50-Over title. Additionally, the Under 17 team finished as runners-up to Demerara in the Rubis Inter-County Tournament.

The BCB is extending special congratulations to Managers Ameer Rahaman and Angela Haniff, along with coaches Leslie Solomon and Winston Smith.

“Our winning captains Rampertab Ramnauth and Shabika Gajnabi led by example, and were outstanding role models to their charges. The BCB is quite delighted at the success of our teams, as it is just reward for the hard work, dedication and combined effort of every board executive, club official, and the coaching staff.

“Special mention must also be made of the Balram Samaroo-led Selection Committee, (which) worked as a

Berbice U-15 team

that they are able to be the best cricketers on the field.

“The BCB would like to salute our main coaching sponsors Mr. Brian Ramphal and Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh of the United States.

“This success was also made possible through the support of Mike’s Pharmacy, Lewison General Store, Ramnaresh

disappointed in not winning the Under17 Inter-County, but have committed ourselves to working hard to do so in 2021.

Mr. Ramesh Sunich, the proud sponsor of all Berbice intercounty teams, also deserves to be recognized for his support of Berbice Cricket,” the BCB has said.

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020

23

CWI/PCL Regional 4-Day tournament…

Story and Photos By Brandon Corlette

R

ecording three wins and three defeats in eight matches of the CWI PCL Regional 4-Day Championships has been something rare for five-time defending champions the Guyana Jaguars in previous seasons.

A team will not always win, and this is certainly true for the Guyana Jaguars, but with two rounds remaining in this Regional 4-Day season, Jaguars must take time to ponder on their performance with a view to correcting their mistakes and preparing for another season.

The Jaguars certainly cannot be expected to get it correct every time, b u t one has t o

seven wickets at the Kensington Oval.

As expected, Jaguars bounced back by thumping Trinidad and Tobago Red Force into a 219-run defeat; but in the following match, which was a thriller, the Jamaica Scorpions recording a seven-wicket win over the Jaguars at Providence.

Then, riding on the back of centuries from Leon Johnson and Christopher Barnwell, Jaguars drew their match against Windward Islands Volcanoes, and thereafter inflicted a seven-wicket defeat upon Jamaica Scorpions in their return clash.

But the Leeward Islands held out for a draw against Jaguars in the return clash at Providence, while the 235-run defeat inflicted on the Jaguars by the Barbados Pride is as fresh as a rose in everyone’s memory.

Jaguars batsmen have simply failed to score hundreds, and the bowling has solely revolved around Veerasammy Permaul, who has taken 50 wickets in eight matches.

In previous seasons, Jaguars would have benefited from the efforts of fast bowlers Keemo Paul, Romario Shepherd, Clinton Pestano et al. This time around, these players have moved up and gained West Indies selection, while Pestano has been injured.

This season, Smith has been bringing in the fast bowling points with his 20 wickets. Hence the bowling effort by Jaguars this season has not been collective, compared to other seasons.

24.23. Despite his poor performances, he has been getting an extended run in the starting XI. His fellow opener Chandrapaul Hemraj has 329 runs with an average of 36.55 in only six matches. He is one of the many batsmen who failed to convert his three half-centuries into triple figures.

Raymon Reifer, who has Team Guyana Jaguars been the reliable campaigner for a wickets at an average of 29.30, with number of seasons, has 230 runs but two five-wicket hauls. has not recorded a single half-centuReifer (16) Keon Joseph (12) and ry.

Kevin Sinclair (12) have been in the Permaul has been exceptional wickets. After the eight rounds of with his 50 wickets. His best bowling what is described as a mixed seafigures are 8-18, and he has a match son, Jaguars are tied in third posihaul of 15-77. tion with Jamaica Scorpions on 91.8 Smith, in second position, has 20

points.

If all goes well, and the global pandemic of coronavirus subsides so that play in the 4-Day Championships resumes, Jaguars will be hoping to finish on a high, and hope for a miracle to retain their title.

Poor performers, top performers

Veerasammy Permaul

wonder whether the time has finally arrived for Johnson and his team to hand over that Regional 4-Day trophy to another team.

Mixed season

Reflecting on the Jaguars season, they began in commanding fashion, rolling over the Leeward Islands by 10 wickets in their opening match in Antigua. Steam train Nial Smith announced himself with 6-55 in a ‘player of the match’ effort.

Then Jaguars’ second match saw Barbados Pride trampling them by

Telling it like it is, the Jaguars’ batting has been below par. After the eight rounds played, only two centuries have been recorded.

Johnson has led from the front with 472 runs in the 14 innings in which he batted. He has a high-score of 189* at an average of 36.30.

Barnwell, who has been wearing the “Mr. Consistent” tag in Regional cricket, has 435 runs at an average of 33.37.

Vishaul Singh has scored 381 runs, after missing out on two centuries; while Anthony Bramble has 339 runs.

The left-handed opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul has been struggling, and has only 315 runs at

Vishaul Singh

Leon Johnson

COVID-19 restrictions…

By Jemima Holmes

the public Health Department, based on that, we will decide,” t is no secret that the constant Mendonca said. spread of the coronavirus has Along with the virus come seriously impacted sports’ suggestions for self-quarantining activities worldwide, and now and social distancing, which the effect has trickled down to would directly impact gathering Guyana. for and playing of football Football Coordinator Troy indefinitely. To this end, Mendonca sat down with this Mendonca shared that the publication to discuss the impact uncertainty of containing the of the virus on the sport. Petra virus is unfair for sport in Guyana Organization, of which Troy and the wider world.

Mendonca is the Co-Director, was “As you know, we were slated forced to halt the 2020 edition to have at least nine tournaments of the Milo School’s Football for this year, and again, because Tournament amid COVID-19 of the nature of the sport, which concerns. In addition, many of the is gathering, that in itself will organization’s tournaments are in definitely affect us. limbo as Guyanese and the wider “Because we would have world watch and wait for the virus Co-Director Troy Mendonca had our futsal next, then the to be contained.

ExxonMobil; hopefully, the Guyoil Speaking exclusively with the Evening News league, Pee Wee Under 11 Boys and Girls. So, you Sport, Mendonca shared that it is still too early to know, to have all those programmes on hold and make a final decision on the state of the tournament, not know what the future holds is a bit unfair to which was initially postponed due to political unrest especially the players, and the sport as a whole,” he following Guyana’s elections, and then suspended explained. after Guyana recorded its first coronavirus case.

“But it’s a worldwide pandemic, and we have “It is early for us to decide if we’re going to to wait and see where to go from here,” Mendonca continue or cancel the entire tournament, because went on to say. we are yet to know how the coronavirus will react The Petra Co Director went on to share that in these conditions, if the country’s going to get it while the pandemic directly injures the staging of under control. Whatever advice is being given by sports’ activities, it will also trickle down to group

Organization is prepared to ride out the storm, and he promised that their long list of tournaments which positively contribute to the National Football set-up will be staged once calm is returned to the nation.

“Most of our events are grassroots, especially at the school level, so we will definitely want to continue playing.

Because, as you know, over the years, there would have been a lot of players w h o graduate from our

I

A glimpse of the Milo 2020 action before it was put on hold

training, preventing athletes from practising in groups.

“Being a businessman and an organizer, everything basically came to a standstill, and it will have serious rippling effects. Being an organized sport, that is a real setback,” Mendonca explained.

Nonetheless, Mendonca shared that the Petra

tournaments into the national grid, so definitely what we’ve been doing has a place in the National setup for the sport; so, definitely, we would want to continue to do our programmes,” Mendonca assured.

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020

Sports is no longer our game, sports it’s our business

guyanatimesgy.com

Early Season Classic…

COVID-19 restrictions…

Page 21

Page 23 A glimpse of the Milo 2020 action before it was put on hold

Running Brave’s Adriel Austin won the 400m and 800m events

Page 23

CWI/PCL Regional 4-Day tournament…

Team Guyana Jaguars

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