Guyana Times Monday March 16, 2020

American Airlines suspends flights to Guyana P9

P10 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4227

THE BEACON OF TRUTH MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020

PRICE

GECOM, APNU/AFC destruction of democracy: Day 14

Recount to start today, Region 4 first on list

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE: Coronavirus threat

Court to utilise Skype for further remanded P14 prisoners

...Caricom’s supervision, but GECOM still in charge – Commissioner

...GECOM’s 15-day deadline to announce results "not See stories on pages 3, 9 & 11 mandatory" – Ramkarran

AFC accepts fraudulent, P9 illegal Region 4 RO’s declaration as credible …says Gaskin's expression of lack of transparency not shared by party

Missing mentally ill woman found dead in Lusignan P10

The containers with the ballot boxes from the March 2, 2020 National and Regional Elections were transported to GECOM's Headquarters on Sunday to facilitate the recount that is being supervised by a high-level team from Caricom

Stealing elections will 7 homeless in result in isolation Craig, Linden fires – US Senator warns Page 2

See story on page 7

GPHC implements stricter measures as cases of COVID-19 increase See story on page 10

COVID-19

Food handlers warned to take precautionary safety measures

P8

P12 What pet caregivers, veterinarians need to know about coronavirus

2 NEWS

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Early morning fire leaves 5 homeless in Linden

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Linden family of five has been left to make alternative arrangements after a fire of unknown origin destroyed their home on Sunday.

According to reports, the fire broke out sometime between 04:40h and 06:10h, causing severe internal damage to the Lot 25 Half Mile, Wismar home which is owned by 53-year-old David Anthony and his wife Ronique Anthony.

Guyana Times understands that the couple was at work at an interior location at the time of the incident, however, their teenage children were asleep inside the house.

Fire ravages Craig house, 2 homeless

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fire suspected to be electrical in origin completely razed a wooden building at Craig Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD), on Sunday morning.

The fire reportedly started at about 02:15h in the upper flat of the two-storey home and quickly engulfed the house.

The occupants of the house, Reni Parmanand and her daughter, Angela

The remainder of the house

The house that was destroyed by the fire

The children recalled being awakened by the smell

of smoke sometime after 04:00h as they observed the front bedroom situated on the eastern side of the three-bedroom flat concrete structure engulfed in flames. They reportedly then exited the house and raised an alarm.

The Linden Fire Station responded and managed to contain and extinguish the fire which by that time had already engulfed the entire home.

The couple has estimated their losses within the millions as nothing was saved during the course of the incident. An investigation has since been launched by the Linden Fire Department.

Reni Parmanand, the owner of the house

Parmanand, were awakened by the smell of smoke emanating from the upper flat of the house.

Without hesitation, they

ran out of the house and raised an alarm. They were unable to salvage any household items from the burning building.

Guyana Times understands that fire tenders took a long time to arrive on the scene by which time, the house was completely engulfed.

When Guyana Times visited the scene on Sunday, the occupants had already left the premises.

Marva Williams, who lives next door, recalled that she was in bed when she was awakened to her neighbour, shouting “fire”.

“Well, last night I went sleeping and around like 2 o’clock I hear somebody call-

ing for Marva fire! Fire! So, is when I look out through the window, upstairs was already in fire and the fire was coming out. So, I just picked up my children and we come outside.”

Williams indicated that the electricity was fluctuating prior to the fire and it is suspected that the fire might have been electrical “Well last night (Saturday) we had blackout like two time. One around 23:30h and when I wake up like 2 o’clock it had the second one and around 02:15h then I hear the fire,” Williams explained.

An investigation has been launched into the cause of the fire.

NEWS

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MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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

Monday, March 16 – 10:30h – 12:00h and Tuesday, March 17 – 12:00h – 13:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, March 16 – 09:45h – 11:15h and Tuesday, March 17 – 11:10h – 12:40h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Expect sunny skies throughout the day. There will be partly cloudy conditions at night.

Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to North Easterly to North North-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 09:24h and 22:12h reaching maximum heights of 2.30 metres and 2.11 metres.

Low Tide: 15:36h reaching a minimum height of 0.94 metre.

GECOM, APNU/AFC destruction of democracy: Day 14

Recount to start today, Region 4 first on list

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he recounting of all the ballots cast at the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections is expected to get underway sometime today, with Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), where the tabulation process was embroiled in controversy and allegations of fraud, to be the first that will be recounted.

This was agreed upon when the independent high-level team fielded by the Caribbean Community (Caricom) met with the seven-member Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Sunday evening to finalise the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the recounting process.

According to GECOM Commissioners, Sase Gunraj and Vincent Alexander, the regional team made the suggestion that the largest vot-

Opposition-nominated Commissioner Sase Gunraj

It was emphasised that the Caricom team is just here for the supervision of the recounting process, which will mirror the normal GECOM recounting process.

Following the declaration of the Region Four re-

of Government at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cynthia BarrowGiles; Chief Electoral Officer of Barbados, Angela Taylor; and Chief Elections Officer of Trinidad and Tobago, Fern Narcis-Scope.

They arrived in Guyana on Saturday evening and were joined by the Caricom Chair, Mia Mottley.

This morning, the Caricom team will accompany the Chief Elections Officers to scout out a location to determine its suitability for the recounts after which the other logistics will be put in place to commence the recount.

In addition, an agreement between the two political leaders who agreed to this process, and Caricom, will also have to be signed for the record.

According to Commissioner Gunraj, he

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One of the containers arriving on a truck at GECOM Headquarters on Sunday

ing district be the first to be recounted since it is also the largest voting district, and will be done when everyone will be “fresh”.

Following the more than three-hour-long meeting on Sunday night, Gunraj, who is an Opposition-nominated Commissioner, explained to reporters that the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, provided a framework of how the recounting process will be conducted and the Commission collectively fine-tuned that work plan by making some edits and incorporating suggestions. After the Caricom team joined the meeting just over an hour later, some additional changes were made to finalise the agreement.

“I think we have a framework with which we can now operate…,” Gunraj asserted.

sults on Friday night, which many of the political parties that contested the March elections alleged was marred with fraud, Caricom Chairperson, Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley intervened and assembled the independent high-level team to supervise the recounting process – which was requested by incumbent President David Granger and agreed to by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who is also the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary.

The team is being led by former Attorney General and current Foreign Affairs Minister of Dominica, Francine Baron, and includes former Finance Minister of Grenada, Anthony Boatswain; Senior Lecturer in the Department

hopes and expects that the recounting process would get underway sometime this afternoon.

Government-nominated Commissioner Vincent Alexander

“I am hoping that… after lunch [today] we can start.

That is just my belief and hope, and that’s taking into consideration what has to be done,” Gunraj posited, adding that the recounting process is expected to run for more than 12 hours per day.

The proposed location for the recount is the Arthur Chung Convention Centre and according to Commissioner Alexander, during today’s site visit, they will be looking for convenience.

He further explained that since there are five members of the regional team, it is anticipated that five ballot boxes would be recounted simultaneously.

“Each will be supervising one ballot box at a time. So once the location can accommodate that, that will help us to get through the exercise as quickly as possible,” Alexander noted.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020

Views 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

Ripping the national fabric with rigging

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t is commonplace to observe at Independence that “we inherited a state and not a nation”. That is, we were given all the insignias of statehood: flag, anthem, motto, constitution, hero, etc; but when it came to what a “nation” implied, a commonality of self-identification between the people and the country, we were sorely lacking.

Ironically, each of the insignias was dubbed “national” rather than “state” symbols, and we became a member of the “United Nations”.

That we accepted the label “land of six peoples” acknowledged our diverse heritages, origins, cultures and religions. For the longest while, we formed the paradigmatic “plural society” in which the people “mingled but did not mix”.

While there were elections in Guyana from the beginning of colonisation, those were always on a restricted poll that captured only a select few, while the bulk of the population went on with their disparate lives. The introduction of the universal franchise, with its one-man one-vote principle, in 1950, however, altered the equation significantly when it came to identity.

The core necessity in this democratic scheme was to agglomerate for a party as many voters as possible, and this meant appealing to all markers with which voters identified.

Race was one of the obvious markers, the first PPP was a careful alliance of leaders drawn from all the “six races”, and in 1953 they secured a remarkable victory that brought together people from across the spectrum. The serpent of discord entered the picture when Forbes Burnham was inveigled to break away from the PPP and form his PPP (Burnham), which contested separately in the 1957 elections.

From that point, the elections that followed in 1961 and 1964 solidified the political split on racial lines, since most people of Indian origin stayed with the PPP, while those of African origin gravitated to the PNC which Burnham had launched in 1958. The move to create a “nation” had been nipped in the bud. Guyana has not really moved past that division that occurred in 1964, since the PNC kept Guyana is a political time warp by creating a dictatorship under the cover of rigged elections until 1992.

With the return of free and fair elections in that year, after prodding by the international community and especially the United States, the people of Guyana had another opportunity to resume their journey towards nationhood. Sadly, this was stymied by the PNC, who refused to accept the results of the next elections in 1997, and launched massive violent protests in the streets of Georgetown, claiming that the elections were rigged in favour of the PPP. The scabs of the sores from the sixties were ripped off and the pus of ethnic hostilities flowed once again, as armed gunmen took on the state, more specifically the Police Force, putatively on behalf of “African Guyanese”.

Their attacks became terroristic when they widened their gunsights to include innocent civilians from the IndianGuyanese community. Some brave leaders from the AfricanGuyanese community spoke out and publicly denounced the “political sophisticates” directing the violence, and declared “not in my name”; but the damage to the nation-building project was immense by the time the bandits were wiped out in 2008. By that time, drug gangs had broadened their scope of activities with rival gangs that included vigilantes, and hundreds were killed.

Politically, the PNC within the APNU/AFC coalition has created, fostered, and fanned a narrative that blames the PPP for the crime wave, vigilante and drug killings without acknowledging that it was the PPP government that had come under attack by the highly armed bandits, and that there was political nexus with them. This narrative has served to widen the racial chasms in the society.

However, with no ethnic group forming a majority in the country, the unchallenged SOPs produced by the PPP show they have bridged the racial divide to garner a majority.

This means the Guyanese people are willing to continue the nation-building project, and this might be another reason the PNC does not want the real results to be revealed.

A Palestinian man rides a donkey-drawn cart transporting an old car to a scrap yard, in Gaza City (Reuters)

The race to find a coronavirus treatment: One strategy might be just weeks away – scientists say

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n a week when the coronavirus closures and quarantines hit like falling dominoes – the lockdown in Italy, the empty workplaces and college campuses in the US, suspended sports seasons, canceled festivals – far less attention fell on the global scientific community's drive to find treatments for the new virus.

But researchers are already suggesting strategies to help patients suffering from the virus, which is marked by fever, coughing and difficulty breathing.

One treatment could be just weeks away.

With no vaccine expected anytime soon, treatments are crucial to saving the lives of thousands of the infected, especially high-risk patients – the elderly, those with compromised immune systems and those with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease and lung disease.

"I'm very hopeful and very positive. We'll get through this," said Robert Kruse, a doctor in the Department of Pathology at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. "I've been shocked this week at the measures that have been taken (to alter daily life).

They were probably the correct ones, given that they have worked in other countries."

'Time is of the essence' Kruse has been pursuing two different treatment strategies, one of which has a long history and could be available within weeks rather than months. The quickest option is likely to be the use of antibodies from recovered COVID-19 patients. As of Saturday, there were almost 72,000 such patients worldwide. The virus has infected about 150,000, killing more than 5,500.

The use of survivor antibodies, serum therapy, dates back to 1891 when it was used successfully to treat a child with diphtheria. Since then, serum from recovered patients has been used "to stem outbreaks of viral dis-

eases such as poliomyelitis, measles, mumps and influenza," according to a paper Friday in The Journal of Clinical Investigation.

"As we are in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, we recommend that institutions consider the emergency use (of serum from recovered patients) and begin preparations as soon as possible. Time is of the essence," wrote the paper's two authors, Arturo Casadevall of Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, and Liiseanne Pirofski of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.

All of the strategies, including the use of serum from recovered patients, have drawbacks.

Transfusion of serum carries potential side effects, including fever, allergic reactions, and a very small risk of infectious disease transmission.

Collecting large amounts of serum from recovered patients could be a sizable task.

It could turn out that serum from one recovered patient is only enough to save a single sick one, explained Kruse at Johns Hopkins.

"It's a logistical challenge to put it together, but at the very least there are no hurdles (from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) to producing the therapy."

Kruse advanced another technique in a paper published in late January in the journal F1000 Research.

His method seeks to take advantage of the new coronavirus' ability to latch onto

and enter cells.

Scientists often talk about "cell receptors," which are essentially doors that allow a virus to enter the cell.

The "door" the new coronavirus is entering through is known as the ACE-2 protein. Kruse's technique involves detaching the external portion of ACE-2, which would act as a decoy for the virus. The virus would bind to the decoy, leaving it unable to reach the actual door into the cell, and thus, unable to cause infection.

"It won't realize, 'Oh gosh, this isn't a cell,'" Kruse explained in an interview.

"The virus can't mutate away from this."

Kruse's decoy therapy would not be available until fall at the earliest. However, a similar version of the strategy is currently being tested in trials in China.

Using a drug for a new purpose A faster option involves what's called "repurposing" a drug.

This is when a drug that has already been found safe and approved for treatment of one disease also is found useful in treating another. One example is the drug Sildenafil, which is sold as Viagra and used to treat both erectile dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension.

There are three ways in which scientists try to find an existing drug that can treat a new condition.

The rational method involves using drugs that have characteristics and targets

that suggest they might be used to treat the new condition.

The computational method involves examining protein structures and using them to predict an existing drug that might work.

The final method takes advantage of the vast drug libraries possessed by companies and academic institutions. High-speed technology allows researchers to screen thousands of drugs very quickly to determine whether they will act against a specific target.

Considerable hope, interest and money have been invested in one drug not previously approved, remdesivir.

The drug was previously tested against Ebola, but failed in trials.

Gilead Sciences, a Foster City, California-based biopharmaceutical company, announced that two clinical studies of the drug are beginning this month. Two more clinical trials of the drug are already underway in China.

In the U.S., the clinical trials process is slow and painstaking, taking several years and sometimes much longer.

'The idea is right' Another approach to the new virus championed by numerous researchers is the use of lab-made proteins called monoclonal antibodies.

These confer what's called "passive immunity" and have been used previously to treat cancer, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular disease and many other conditions.

"The use of monoclonal antibodies is a new era in infectious disease prevention which overcomes many drawbacks associated with serum therapy ... in terms of specificity, purity, low risk of blood-borne pathogen contamination and safety," wrote the authors of a recent paper in the Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020

5

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

A compromise on voting rights will send a message that elections are useless and electoral fraud is acceptable Dear Editor, There is a grave threat to the legacy of universal suffrage in Guyana. Indeed, recent events have exposed the dark side of Guyana’s electoral process and shown how elections as a matter of free speech may no longer exist.

When I grew up as a teen under the illegal rule of Mr Forbes Burnham and the PNC during the eighties, elections seemed a waste of tax and time. We had illusions instead of free and fair election.

Today, the illusions and worse shall return if all of the rights assured to voters by the Constitution, as opposed to some, are not fully enjoyed. Most voters may not have been involved in the electoral fraud witnessed, but all will be consumed by

its aftermath—or the death of free and fair elections as an exercise in representational Government.

People truly have a right to organise into political parties and contest in an electoral process. But there is no right to participate in and undermine such a process simultaneously. Manipulation is not participation.

Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of any democracy. Electors must be allowed to vote and organise a Government of their choice freely. The electors cannot have one right but not the other.

Everyone, especially the international community, must ensure that voters are afforded a complete opportunity to enjoy all and not just some of their voting rights.

A right to vote, a right to a

transparent count, and a right to form a Government of their choice.

These rights when fully enjoyed create a basis upon which a Parliament is to exist and self rule is to occur in Guyana’s fragile democracy. Said another way, there is no substitute for this democracy. It may appear to be harsh but its alternative is worse.

Therefore, the public must not compromise on any of their voting rights, and be vigilant against any negotiation that will result in their erosion. Any reduction of voting rights will send a loud message that elections are now useless and fraud is acceptable.

Further, once voting rights start to erode, there will likely be a rapid decline of all other rights, including

Recount must be done under professional atmosphere Dear Editor, A recount of the SoPs or of the votes is needed.

However, these must be done under a professional atmosphere and one that is devoid of dysfunction.

As it stands, the GECOM staff cannot be trusted. Naturally, everyone was shocked to witness the dysfunction of the GECOM employees during the tabulation process.

But these employees will

be allowed to continue to play major roles in the recount process to do more damage.

In many parts of the world, they would have been fired and they would have been forced to face the consequences of the law.

A recount should never move forward under these employees.

Also, the tabulation must be done in a highly transparent manner, espe-

cially since GECOM cannot be trusted. To this end, it would be reasonable to tabulate the results in a televised process. This will definitely keep GECOM honest and it will eliminate a string of problems.

Further, Guyanese are highly appreciative of our diplomats and our observers during these elections.

Sincerely, Dr Annie Baliram

a right to own property or a right to be secured in one’s person. If voting rights go, it will be a green light to anarchy.

In other words, as a fa-

mous Irish poet stated in his Second Coming, “Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.”

Once anarchy comes,

there may not be a “second coming” or spiritual revival for Guyana.

Sincerely, Rakesh Rampertab

Show some intelligence Dear Editor, Anyone with a modicum of intelligence knows that the 2020 election to date is being rigged in favour of the incumbent.

The same person would have concluded that 34+32 does not equal 65, all of the constitutional infractions,

blatant racism, D’Urban Park and other frauds, and, the relative treatment of sugar workers before his eyes should force his resignation.

Even at this stage, Dominic Gaskin can spare the intelligence of others, if not his own, and resign for

The race to find a...

The biotechnology company Regeneron, based in Tarrytown, New York, started work searching for a monoclonal antibody "for this particular virus in early/mid-January," said Christos Kyratsous, the company's vice president for infectious diseases and viral vector technologies. "But really we started working on it decades ago when we began building our unique end-to-end drug discovery and development technologies."

Gregory Poland, director of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group, said the use of monoclonal antibodies "needs to be designed and tested in this specific disease, but I wouldn't see any reason it wouldn't

work. The idea is right."

Like other scientists, Poland was less hopeful that a vaccine would be developed anytime soon.

"We won't have a vaccine for this outbreak," he said. "It will be before the next (outbreak)."

Monoclonal antibodies do have pitfalls. They require extensive testing.

Also, viruses can mutate and escape from the antibodies. Companies sometimes target two different parts of the virus to make it harder for the virus to mutate and elude the antibodies.

Ajay K. Sethi, associate professor of population health sciences at the University of WisconsinMadison, expressed sup-

he knows that were it not for the international observers he would be in a cushiony position courtesy of the illegal Granger Administration.

Show some intelligence.

Sincerely, Name withheld

FROM PAGE 4

port for the development of monoclonal antibodies.

"In my opinion, trying a strategy like monoclonal antibodies to provide passive immunity is a good idea," Sethi said. He added that given the technique's past successes, "it is hopeful, but not surprising."

Strategies for combating the new coronavirus will likely require reaching patients early before they get too sick. Toward that end, Kruse said he believes the U.S. should pursue the much broader coronavirus testing policy that South Korea adopted.

"Maybe in the next few weeks we will get to the point where we are testing everyone," he said. (USA Today)

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MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020

Page

T

hink of the healthiest foods as “go” foods. These are foods like steamed or raw veggies and skim or low-fat milk that are good to eat almost anytime.

Foods that are OK to eat sometimes are “slow” foods.

Foods like hamburgers or pancakes aren’t off limits — but they shouldn’t be eaten every day. At most, you’ll want to eat these foods just a couple of times a week. Avoid if the potential for illness is present.

Some foods should make you stop, think, and say, “Whoa!

Should I eat that?” These foods are the least healthy. They are the most likely to cause weight problems, especially if a person eats them all the time. “Whoa!” foods are once-in-a-while foods, like French fries or ice cream.

Go Foods

Eat these almost anytime: Almost all fresh vegetables without added fat (such as butter) or sauces All fresh fruits (fruits and vegetables should add up to half your plate) Whole-grain breads, pitas, and tortillas Whole-grain pasta, brown rice Milk Low-fat yogurt Part-skim, reduced-fat cheese Extra-lean ground beef Chicken and turkey without skin Tuna canned in water Fish and shellfish that have been baked, broiled, steamed, or grilled Beans, split peas, and lentils Egg whites Sweets and snacks Sweets and snacks are never “go” foods. Even though some sweets and snacks are lower in fat and calories, people should

Foundation limit the amount of sweets and snacks they eat so they don’t take in more calories than their bodies need.

Spreads and condiments These should be eaten in small amounts: Ketchup Mustard Mayonnaise Sour cream Vinegar Drinks Water (at least 8-ouunce glasses) Coconut water

eight

Slow Foods

Eat these sometimes: All vegetables in added fat and sauces Oven-baked fries Avocados 100% fruit juice Dried fruits White bread and pasta that’s not whole grain French toast, waffles, and pancakes Biscuits Granola Processed cheese spreads Broiled hamburgers Chicken and turkey with the skin Tuna canned in oil Ham Low-fat hot dogs Canadian bacon Peanut butter Nuts Whole eggs cooked without added fat, such as boiled or poached Ice milk bars Frozen fruitjuice bars Low-fat frozen yogurt Low-fat ice cream

Fig bars Ginger snaps Baked chips Sports drinks

Whoa Foods

Eat these once in a while: French fries Fruits canned in heavy syrup Doughnuts, muffins, croissants, and sweet rolls Sweetened breakfast cereals Crackers that have hydrogenated oils (trans fats) Fried hamburgers Fried chicken Bacon Fried fish and shellfish Chicken nuggets Hot dogs Lunch meats Pepperoni Sausage Ribs Cookies, cakes, and pies Cheesecake Ice cream Chocolate candy Chips Buttered microwave popcorn Stick margarine Lard Salt pork Gravy Regular creamy salad dressing Cheese sauce Cream cheese

To keep on the go, kids should avoid as much as possible Slow and Whoa Foods Cream cheese dips Regular soda Sweetened iced teas and

lemonade *Vegetable and olive oils that have no saturated or trans fats and can be eaten daily, but in limited portions to meet daily calorie needs.

(Adapted from kidshealth.org)

A

cinquain is a five-line poem, often inspired by nature Example:

bee yellow stripes gathering, buzzing, humming making honey for the hive workers Use this template to help you write your own cinquain: Line 1: One-word title, a noun that identifies your subject Line 2: Two adjectives that describe your subject Line 3: Three action “ing” verbs that describe something your subject does Line 4: A phrase that describes something about your subject Line 5: A noun that is a synonym or another way to name your subject (startwithabook.org)

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MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Stealing elections will result in isolation – US Senator warns

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he pressure continues to mount on the coalition Government and President David Granger to keep Guyana’s democracy alive as another United States Senator joined the calls for the Government to adhere to democratic principles.

In a statement via his social media account, United States Senator, Rick Scott addressed the situation in Guyana. Scott noted that the will of Guyanese, expressed in the votes they cast, is paramount.

“Guyanese authorities must respect the will of their citizens and the courts. Stealing elections will result in nothing but isolation. Guyana’s future is bright but only if it remains democratic,” Scott said, also reposting a joint statement from the United States, United Kingdom,

President David Granger

Canada and the European Union.

In that joint statement, the locally accredited western diplomats had complained of having to leave the Region Four tabulation process on Friday last, as it was clear that a transparent and credible process was not put in place by the

Recount to...

The Governmentnominated Commissioner added that during this simultaneous count, each political party will be allowed a representative to witness the process.

Given that RO Mingo had deemed the counting agents for all the parties “not duly appointed”, it was explained that this recounting process has now superseded the RO’s decision.

Apart from the regional team and GECOM staffers, parties’ representatives and observers, as well as other persons prescribed by the law, will be present during the recount.

Moreover, it was noted that what the ballot boxes contain during this recount process will be the final elections results.

During Sunday night’s meeting, the Caricom and GECOM teams also discussed the use of Statements of Poll (SoPs) during this recounting process and according to Gunraj, a decision was taken not use that form but another document.

“There is no need, as we speak, for the use of physical Statements of Poll in the form that you are accustomed to… We have taken a

responsible officials.

The ABCE diplomats, United States Ambassador, Sarah-Ann Lynch; British High Commissioner, Greg Quinn; Canadian High Commissioner, Lilian Chatterjee, and the Ambassador of the European Union (EU), Fernando Ponz-Canto, had

FROM PAGE 3

decision to use a document that has all the hallmarks of a SoP, all the required fields…,” the Oppositionnominated Commissioner noted.

He explained that since there was a total of 2339 Polling Stations, there are not sufficient SoP forms available to facilitate the recounts of all those ballot boxes, hence the use of another document.

Both GECOM Commissioners assured

that these materials will be produced and available in time for the commencement of today’s count.

Neither of the two Commissioners could anticipate how long the recounts will last, but noted that there are provisions in the law to extend the 15day timeline for the declaration of elections results.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 17, 2020, will be 15 days since Guyanese cast their votes.

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

“We must be clear that in the absence of a credible process, as directed by the Honourable Chief Justice [Roxane George], it is our view that any results for Region 4 which will impact the overall results of the 2 March elections will not be credible and a President sworn in on the basis of those results will not be considered legitimate,” they had posited.

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

Reminding that they are 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.

“The betterment of Guyana and its people has always been our interest. In that spirit, we urge all parties to not do anything which could lead to Guyana’s isolation,” the joint statement from the ABCE diplomatic community detailed.

The Heads of Missions,

US Senator Rick Scott

who were all accredited as local observers to monitor the electoral process, had not returned to the tabulation process, which continued on Friday but not without more concerns raised over the methodology used by the Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, who insisted on using excerpts from the Statements of Poll instead of the original SoPs as ordered and reasserted by the Chief Justice.

The ABCE diplomats had previously expressed deep concern over “credible allegations of electoral fraud which may influence the results of this election”.

In a previous statement, the Heads of Mission had called “…on all to ensure proper procedures are in place to yield a credible election result. A fair and free process is vital for

the maintenance and reinforcement of democracy in Guyana.”

They had also implored with incumbent President David Granger to avoid a transition of Government, which they believe would be unconstitutional as it would be based on a vote tabulation process that lacked credibility and transparency. US officials and politicians have taken a tough stance on any election rigging in Guyana. United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo himself weighed in on the matter when he discussed Guyana with Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister, Chrystia Freeland.

Pompeo, in a tweet, said he spoke about several issues including “support for democratic transition in Guyana”.

8 NEWS

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

COVID-19

Food handlers warned to take precautionary safety measures No end…

T hus far, research has not proven that the coronavirus known as COVID-19 can be transmitted through food but as a precautionary measure, the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department is urging food handlers to maintain food safety and sanitation practices.

With Guyana being crowned with its first case of COVID-19 on Wednesday, many persons are taking precautionary measures to guarantee their safety.

According to the Public Health Ministry, the virus

Director of the GovernmentAnalyst Food and Drug Department, Marlon Cole

is transmitted from person to person contact and respiratory droplets. However, there is a possibility that the virus can be passed by having physical contact with food sellers. Nevertheless, the Centers for Disease Control stated that there is no evidence to support COVID-19 transmission through food.

Director of the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department, Marlon Cole told the media that while the virus is not known to be contracted through food, food handlers

must maintain sanitation practices.

“Ensure you keep hot food hot, you keep cold food cold, make sure those who are handling the food are qualified food handlers and do make sure that there is running water, soap, and hand sanitisers to clean the hands and sanitise surfaces. It is important that they would practice what we preach at food handling seminars”, he explained.

Cole further noted that now that there is a demand for sanitisation supplies, his Department will be on the lookout for bogus products.

“Persons tend to take the opportunity to flood markets with substandard items, we would have to be vigilant as a Department and play our role to ensure that the items that prepared to be bacterial resilient, have the necessary content that they are supposed to have,” he said.

The COVID-19 virus is expected to last three to four days on surfaces depending on the temperature.

Further, the Director stated that his Department will also be checking for the authenticity of food items.

He said because of the country’s climate, it is unlikely that the virus will survive in the country for long.

“This is a tropical region, and the survival of the virus, though in other countries it tends to last between seven to nine hours on fabrics, that might not be the case here.

However, we still have to ensure that our officers are protected…”, he explained.

Meanwhile, the death rate of the virus has risen to 5397, leaving a recovery rate of 93 per cent globally.

Y

…in sight our Eyewitness is reminded of the old saw about the fella who thought at long last – after trekking through the dark – he saw a light at the end of the tunnel – only to discover to his demise, it was actually a train hurtling towards him!! And this is how your Eyewitness’ been thinking all night about this Caricom intervention to oversee a recount of all the ballots countrywide.

He has absolutely no problem with the idea of the recount. After all, what could be more logical on a disputed count of anything than starting afresh – in the presence of a referee?? But the present system of counting votes also had its logic, didn’t it?? You start counting at the point of voting, you then agglomerate those totals per region, and then it’s all put together by the Commission and a declaration of the winner is made!

But right in front of our eyes, we saw the system gamed in Reg 4 by the RO and his helpers on the GECOM staff!! And all the while, Granger smirks unctuously about allowing GECOM to operate independently!!

That’s like saying when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon, the fellas in Houston had absolutely nothing to do with it!! Your Eyewitness might be idealistic, but he ain’t stupid!! Didn’t Granger inform all of us he was the “man with the plan”?

So the question is, after going to all this trouble to muck up the works to get the fudged declaration on the Reg 4 count – in the face of the anger of the international community - would he now throw in his hand?? Just doesn’t make sense – unless, of course, he’s got something up his sleeve! Just like your Eyewitness’ been saying for years Granger would rig the elections – he didn’t know exactly HOW, but the rig was always in – the upcoming recount would never have been agreed to if Granger didn’t know the outcome. And that outcome would be gamed – just like the Reg 4 SoPs tabulation.

There are so many variables. Remember it was Granger who suggested the move and he picked the Referee – Caricom. Is he also going to pick the methodology? We’re told the boxes are in sealed containers? Wouldn’t these containers have to be moved to one location? Then, after the count by the Caricom, what will be the role of GECOM, since the law says only that body can pronounce authoritatively on the final result?

Suppose they refuse to announce? And we can go on and on ‘cause the PNC and Granger will be going on and on!!

As Burnham said, “Back to back; belly to belly – a done dead a ‘ready!!” …to the Mingoing OK, Your Eyewitness has been around the block – and some on these elections. Even in ordinary social interactions, there’s a certain amount of hypocrisy used. We really shouldn’t tell that buffoon who’s been lecturing you about coronavirus for the past hour that he’s full of sh*t, should you?? We call it “good manners” as we roll our eyes as discretely as we can!!

And, of course, in politics the hypocrisy is on display even more glaringly. Volda Lawrence chairs a party that boasts it introduced “social cohesion” and then goes on to say she only has “wuk for PNC people”.

But this hypocrisy on the rigging of the election in Reg 4 takes hypocrisy to levels that deserve a new name to describe it!! Maybe the word “Mingo” might work since everyone and their (foreign) uncle saw how this fella and his myrmidons insisted they were following the “letter and spirit” of the legislation to tabulate the SoPs while simultaneously committing a blatant heist!!

Aye bai…don’t mingo me!! You t’ink me schupit??

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

….to PNC depravity The PNC have destroyed their credibility to such an extent that even some of their supporters on social media wondered if they orchestrated the “first corona virus” announcement as misdirection for their rigging operations!!

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

NEWS

9

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

AFC accepts fraudulent, illegal Region 4 RO’s declaration as credible …says Gaskin’s expression of lack of transparency not shared by party

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ncreasingly isolated, the coalition was further shaken on Friday when Alliance For Change (AFC) executive Dominic Gaskin expressed doubts over the controversial Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) declaration and urged more transparency in the process.

AFC Chairman Raphael Trotman was asked about Gaskin’s comments when he appeared at a press conference on Saturday.

However, Trotman sought to distance the party from Gaskin’s comments and noted that they are his personal opinions.

“Up until last evening (Friday) all of us, as citizens, wanted to see the process continued and finalised but in terms of what the letter of the Representation of the People’s Act said and what the Chief Justice ordered.”

“Mr Gaskin has his own personal views. I can say that the overwhelmingly majority of the AFC membership and leadership does not share that view. And I believe that following last night’s declaration… So, we respect Mr Gaskin’s personal views, but they are certainly not the AFC’s views,” Trotman added.

In a social media post on Friday, Gaskin had expressed concern about the process at GECOM; becoming the only dissenting voice from the governing party. Nearly everyone else, from the diplomatic community to civil society to United States politicians, have said the process lacked transparency.

Gaskin, who is also

lack credibility have somehow gotten it wrong. I have a difficulty understanding why GECOM, specifically the Region Four RO, would not be bending over backwards to convince the various observers that his tabulation process was sound and all his results credible,” he also said.

The leading AFC executive member conceded “If our election results are as widely rejected as they appear likely to be, then there can be no winners. We all

AFC Chairman Raphael Trotman

President David Granger’s son-in-law, stated in his post that “given all that has taken place over the last twelve days, I am not sufficiently convinced that the results of the Region Four elections as declared by the GECOM (Guyana Elections Commission) RO (Returning Officer) last Thursday (March 5) accurately reflect the results recorded on the various Statements of Poll collected from the 879 Polling Stations.

Gaskin admitted that it is unlikely that all the credible observers who criticised the election process could have somehow gotten it wrong. He also questioned why GECOM and Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo appeared so reluctant to conduct the process in a transparent manner.

“I have a difficulty accepting that all the persons and organisations who have so far deemed the process to

lose. This is not what I campaigned for.”

As such, Gaskin has since demanded that GECOM publish their SoPs “for all to see. If not, it can never hold credible elections in Guyana again.

In his statement, Gaskin also alluded to a “few rotten eggs” seeking to divide the nation and he urged GECOM to publish the Statements of Poll or lose credibility.

“Unfortunately, none of us can prevent GECOM

AFC executive and former Business Minister Dominic Gaskin

from taking this process to its obvious conclusion, however, I believe the nation deserves to see all the numbers on which GECOM intends to base its final declaration.”

“It is a shame that good Guyanese are now turning on each other simply because a few rotten eggs are attempting to pull us apart.

Time to tone down the hate, accept that we’re all in the same shit storm, and work our way out of it,” Gaskin had added.

GECOM’s 15-day deadline to announce results “not mandatory” – Ramkarran

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he 15-day deadline referenced in the Representation of the People Act, within which the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) must announce results for a General and Regional Elections is directory and not mandatory.

As such, the “swearing-in of the President after the 15-day deadline will attract no legal consequences.”

This is according to former Speaker of the National Assembly, Senior Counsel (SC), Ralph Ramkarran.

He gave his views over the weekend in a public social media platform and argued that the 15-day deadline is clearly “directory” and not “mandatory.”

These are interpretations by courts of the effect of timelines when provided for in legislation, according to Ramkarran.

The Presidential Candidate for the recently

March 2, 2020, which means GECOM has until tomorrow, to give a final declaration of the total results.

Cautiously optimistic

Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran, SC

formed A New and United Guyana (ANUG) qualified his position further, saying when a timeline is “directory,” no consequences arise if it is violated.

General and Regional Elections were held on

With a nationwide recount with specific focus on Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), GECOM would likely miss the 15-day deadline, which Ramkarran has since dismissed as directory and not mandatory.

Speaking to the controversies surrounding the counting of the votes for Region Four, Ramkarran welcomed the initiative by President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, to have a recount.

According to ANUG’s Presidential Candidate, “this agreement is of tremendous importance to Guyana because it may help to resolve the impasse over the election results, the fabrication of which threatens to plunge Guyana once

again into undemocratic rule and international sanctions.”

He said ANUG is cautiously optimistic about the recount which would be overseen by Caribbean Community (Caricom) experts, led by Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley.

According to Ramkarran, ANUG is conscious of efforts that have been made to count the votes and declare the results and that “several of these efforts have been done in blatant violation of court orders.”

As such, “the public will understand when we declare that we are deeply fearful and suspicious that the APNU/AFC will utilise every effort, including intimidation, to derail the effort of Caricom.”

Ramkarran reminded that ANUG had requested a recount within the stipulated time but, as is to be expected, all requests for recounts were rejected.

10 NEWS

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

American Airlines suspends flights to Guyana, 4 other countries amid COVID-19 concerns

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merican Airlines on Saturday announced that with effect from Monday, March 16, 2020, it will be suspending all flight in and out of Guyana. The airline stated that it will recommence operations on May 6.

A statement issued by the airline related that the flights that were already scheduled for March 16 will operate as scheduled, while the suspension will take effect afterwards.

It was further announced that the airline will be waiving all change of date fees for those passengers already booked on its service.

“This suspension will last through May 6. This change is in response to decreased demand and changes to US Government travel

An American Airlines plane

restrictions due to the coronavirus (COVID-19)”, they said.

Meanwhile, short-haul flights to the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico, and parts

of Central America will continue.

Flights that were scheduled to move off from parts of Europe will also be suspended, and some seasonal

GPHC implements stricter measures as cases of COVID-19 increase

W

ith the situation seeming to change by the day, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has announced that it is taking steps to protect its staff and patients from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

In a statement released on Sunday, the hospital said that effective of March 16, all individuals entering the hospital will need to use the Emergency Department entrance.

“The hospital can only be accessed from the main gate at the East, Middle and New Market street entrances. All staff is required to present their GPHC issued identification card to security, to access the compound…

Staff who do not have their IDs should be identified by another member of staff”, the statement stated.

The hospital also announced that patients visiting the hospital will be thoroughly screened to limit the potential spread of infection.

“All patients entering the hospital will be screened at

flights will be delayed. The statement further stated that there will be a reduction of flights to several cities across the United States.

Up to date, Guyana has recorded four cases of the coronavirus. All four cases are linked to one family. It was reported that three of the COVID-19 victims travelled from Queens, New York, to Guyana on a Caribbean Airlines flight.

One of those three persons, a 52-year-old woman, was the first to be tested positive for the virus after she died at the Georgetown Hospital. After that discovery, her husband and her daughter along with another relative have also tested positive for the virus.

The US is now reporting close to 3000 cases of the coronavirus in 49 states, including the two cities where American Airlines operates daily flights to Guyana from. With Guyana now having four cases of the virus, health officials say that number is expected to climb.

Missing mentally ill woman found dead in Lusignan

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The body of the woman being removed by undertakers

wo days after she was reported missing, 70-year-old “Auntie Drupattie” was found in a clump of bushes at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, on Sunday morning.

According to reports, the woman, who is said to be of unsound mind, was last seen walking the streets by her neighbours on Friday afternoon.

However, when contacted, Commander of Regional Police Division 4 (C) Assistant Commissioner Andries-Junor said that the woman died of natural causes and as such dismissed any reports that she

might have died from coronavirus.

“The woman died of natural causes; she did not die from the coronavirus. She is mentally ill and lives with her son who is epileptic. She ventured out into the bushes and fell. She was found in a pasture,” he explained.

One resident, who is close to the woman’s family, stated “Aunty was not well mentally her children usually secured her in the home. Unfortunately, yesterday she walked out unseen and was missing until she was found dead this morning.”

Investigations are ongoing.

Repairs to DHB retractor span completed

T The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation

all entrances before entering the hospital compound.

All patients presenting with respiratory symptoms will be given a face mask, and will be directed to the East Street entrance where they will be triaged…” the statement said.

In the meantime, GPHC is encouraging persons to keep abreast of information that is being disseminated by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), the Georgetown Public

Hospital, and the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).

As of today, Guyana has recorded four news cases of COVID-19.

The patients who have been tested positive most recently have been identified as the husband of the 52-year-old woman who died from the virus earlier last week and one of their children, according to reports, and another occupant of the house.

Tests were conducted on all of the occupants of the house as a precautionary measure.

he Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) has completed repair works to the retractor span which was damaged after a car careened off the floating structure on Monday last.

Managing Director Rawlston Adams during an interview with Guyana Times stated that the retractor span was tested and can now facilitate marine traffic.

“We have completed repairs and we had retraction this morning and we will have another retraction tonight. Marine was able to pass. We had five this morning (Sunday) and we are expected to have five or six tonight,” Adams stated.

He noted that the driver of the car will be sanctioned and the possibility exists that he will have to pay for

The Demerara Harbour Bridge

the repairs.

On Monday last, a motor car was proceeding along the bridge when it made a plunge off the retractor span, resulting in damages. While the entire vehicle fell into the water, the driver was saved and taken into custody.

A crew from the DHB management was deployed to assess the situation as

these damages would prevent vessels from passing.

Meanwhile, in September 2019, a barge and tug slammed into a section of the bridge, causing major damages which resulted in the bridge being closed to vehicular and marine traffic.

The owner of the vessel was slapped with a bill of $100 million.

11 Caricom’s supervision but GECOM still in charge – Commissioner NEWS

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…says elections body aiming to avoid litigation

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hile a delegation from the C a r i b b e a n Community (Caricom) is in Guyana to oversee the recount of votes agreed to between Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and President David Granger, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) will still be in charge of managing the process.

This was emphasised at the conclusion of the first meeting on Sunday at GECOM’s High Street, Kingston, Georgetown,

headquarters.

The full Commission of the elections body and Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield met with the high-level team which included Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque.

According to People’s Progressive Party (PPP) nominated Commissioner Sase Gunraj, their preliminary meeting was intended to start ironing out some of the logistics for conducting the recount. Gunraj was hopeful that the process could be started by today.

“There weren’t many questions from the group.

They have stressed that their function is to oversee the process, not manage the process. It remains GECOM’s process. That’s why we have the responsibility, at GECOM itself, to settle the issues concerning the running of the recount.”

“I’m satisfied, based on my research and reading of the law, that we are allowed as a constitutional body to set our processes and deal with it. I made a suggestion, which is consid-

GECOM in charge of countrywide recount – Granger tells Caricom team

P

President David Granger

r e s i d e n t i a l Candidate for the coalition A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC), Head of State and President, David Granger says the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) must be in charge of the “total recount” of votes cast in the March 2, General and Regional Elections.

The President, in an address to the nation on Saturday, disclosed that he has been in contact with Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley, and “proposed that the Caricom initiative should operate within the legal framework of the Constitution of Guyana and respect the role of the Elections Commission and the rulings of the Supreme Court; It will not act independently.”

The Caribbean Community initiative came to be “as result of the delays and statements by the observer missions,” according to Granger, who recounted that Caricom sent a five-member delegation of Prime Ministers to Guyana on a two-day mission last week, “to work with stakeholders to craft a path forward out of the present political situation.”

Prime Minister Mottley – who is also Chairperson of Caricom – was accompanied by

Prime Ministers Dr Keith Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica, Dr Keith Mitchell of Grenada and Dr Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

In response to the Caricom initiative by the five Prime Ministers, Granger told the nation: “I agreed that a total national recount could be done to satisfy the questions raised by the observers and the citizenry”.

He was adamant, however, that the Elections Commission was the sole authority for making a declaration of the results of the General and Regional Elections and that GECOM be allowed to craft the Terms of Reference (ToRs) governing the relationship between the Caricom initiative and the Elections Commission.

The President said too that the “organisational structure – which should embody supervisory and technical elements – should be determined by the Elections Commission”.

Government, he said, looks forward to a total national recount being completed as soon as possible, “under the auspices of the Elections Commission”.

The specialist team arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) onboard a military airplane Saturday evening, ahead of the recount and is chaired by Francine Baron, former Attorney General and Foreign Minister.

Other members of the team include Anthony Boatswain, former Minister of Finance of Grenada, and Cynthia Barrow-Giles, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Government of UWI. They were joined by Trinidad and Tobago Chief Elections Officer (CEO)

Barbados Prime Minister and Caricom Chairperson, Mia Amor Mottley

Fern Narcis-Scope and Barbados’ Chief Electoral Officer, Angela Taylor.

The international community, including observers and the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada and the European Union had described the tabulation process for Region Four as one that lacked credibility and transparency.

Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque, in a subsequent statement, said for the avoidance of doubt, Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had agreed to a recount of all regions and not just Region Four.

Jagdeo, who is also General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), explained that he has no objections to a national recount.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, Prime Ministerial Candidate of the People’s Progressive Party, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips said that the recount would ensure that the will of Guyanese was respected.

“Finally, we have an opportunity once again to ensure the will of the people is respected in this democratic process… we’re looking forward for the completion of this activity…,” Phillips said.

GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj

ered by the Commission, in law, that we are allowed to do this,” he added.

Meanwhile, Government nominated Commissioner Charles Corbin said that GECOM will be seeking to do everything “by the book”.

Initial refusal

Earlier on Sunday, the three PPP Commissioners on the elections body and the team from Caricom had to wait several hours for a meeting to be called by the Commission.

The PPP had alleged that the Government nominated Commissioners – Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin and Desmond Trotman –

were reportedly refusing to meet since at the time they were claiming that they were not officially notified of a recount and that Caricom will oversee the process. However, the meeting was subsequently called and all the Commissioners were present.

The team from Caricom will be Chaired by Francine Baron, former Attorney General and Foreign Minister and comprise Anthony Boatswain, former Minister of Finance of Grenada and Cynthia Barrow-Giles, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Government of UWI. They will also be accompanied by two electoral officials from Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.

The international community, including observers and the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada and the European Union had described the tabulation process for Region Four as one that lacks credibility and transparency.

An agreement was reached based on a request that was made and agreed to by President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo after a meeting. Prior to the

announcement by Caricom, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had approached the court to secure its request for a recount of the votes for Region Four.

The matter was held at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrate’s Court on Saturday, before Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George as the High Court in Georgetown was being fumigated. The PPP/C had feared GECOM would deny its requests for a recount, and as such, approached the court on that basis. However, during the proceedings, the Caricom Chair made her statement, which was then brought to the attention of the CJ. Efforts were then made to have the statement authenticated, after which, the GECOM Chair, Justice Claudette Singh was asked to address the court.

According to PPP/C attorney, Anil Nandlall, Justice Singh gave a commitment to facilitate the recount.

GECOM had previously been taken to court by Nandlall, who on behalf of a private citizen had sought and was granted an injunction preventing GECOM from declaring the elections without completely verifying the Region Four results.

12 NEWS

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Family of dead geologist still to receive compensation from company …mother claims she was told to take private action

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lmost six months have passed and the relatives of Ryan Taylor are still to receive any form of compensation from the Australian-owned mining company, Troy Resources.

Taylor was killed while working on the construction of a “bench” in a mining pit operated by Troy’s Karouni, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) operation on October 8, 2019.

It was reported that a slippage occurred thus leading to Taylor being crushed by fallen rubble.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times, Taylor’s mother, June Taylor relayed that she has been receiving the “royal run around” from the Social Protection Ministry to ensure that Troy Resources is held accountable for her son’s death and more so, get them to offer a financial settlement since the now dead man was the sole breadwinner for the family.

“All what I do, I in get no help. I am not hearing nothing, nothing, nothing everything just left and that was it. Nobody in coping because he was the breadwinner of the family. He was the breadwinner for the children, he was the breadwinner for me. I am struggling to get things done. People don’t know, so it is a struggle for me to get finances to get things done.

I does work but my salary cannot meet up to it,” the

Dead: Ryan Taylor

grieving mother stated.

According to her, she met with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company on November 8, 2019, who assured her that he would intervene, but since then, no contact was made with her or any member of the family.

With the entire process being frustrating, the woman explained that she visited the Social Protection Occupational Safety and Health Department but she was told to take a lawyer to fight the case privately.

“I going to take one but who is going to wait until I get something… I asked the Government to help me but nobody not reach-

ing out to me. They in give me nothing for me child or they in talking to me and now I have to go to a lawyer and pay big money to get [help].”

She then met with Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman, who promised to organise a lawyer to handle the case but she never heard back from him.

“A month or six weeks after, he tell me that they cannot do anything for me and that I should go to legal aid.”

Guyana Times attempted to contact the Labour Department but it proved futile. On the other hand, the Natural Resources Ministry stated that it will meet with the Social Protection Occupational Safety and Health Department. It is unclear if this materialised since an update was not received by the family.

At least eighteen persons have lost their lives as a result of workplace accidents across the country for 2018 and 2019. Based on reports, out of the 18 work-related deaths, nine were from the mining sector, which recorded the highest number. Six of the deaths in the mining sector occurred for 2019 as opposed to five in 2018.

However, the results of all these investigations remain unknown as the Department of Labour has not been forthcoming.

GCCI calls on Govt to regulate prices for anti-bacterial agents

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ollowing the confirmation of the imported case of the novel coronavirus – COVID-19 – in Guyana, there has been a surge in the demand for Lysol, hand sanitisers, rubbing alcohol and other anti-bacterial agents.

This high demand has also caused a significant increase in the prices of the commodities since most pharmacies were not prepared.

However, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Nicholas Boyer has slammed pharmacies and other businesses that hiked their prices.

He added that there will be no change in the prices of products sold by businesses under the GCCI umbrella.

“The Georgetown Chambers of Commerce [and] Industry for sure have encouraged our members as well as others to be ethical because at this point in time in the population is already in a panic state where people are rushing to buy hand sanitisers, disinfectant spray, mask.”

Boyer further appealed to suppliers to return to the

regular prices while noting that the Chamber will be working with the Public Health Ministry to ensure that Guyanese do not fall into a state of panic.

“We would encourage businesses not to take advantage of that. What we are doing right now as a Chamber in addition to encouraging people not to take advantage of those who now feel that panic is that we would be working to get information from the Ministry of Health because this is going to be a countrywide epidemic and you can look and see what happened in other countries.”

Moreover, the GCCI Head noted that there needs to be a broader understanding of the virus since it can have a damning effect on the country and the economy at large.

“What would happen to NIS if we have 50-100 cases and these people cannot work. Do the hospital have enough of a quarantine area with enough beds because you cannot put people who are suffering from this virus in the same area that GPHC with the other patients,” Boyer added.

President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Nicholas Boyer

In addition, small-scale vendors on Friday made the move to significantly raise the prices for citrus fruits and other produce, as Guyanese flock the market for vitamin-enriched foods to fend off contraction of the coronavirus.

After the hike in prices, the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) along with the Private Sector Commission (PSC) had condemned businesses.

Meanwhile, local health authorities have advised that if anyone is experiencing symptoms of coronavirus, they should contact the hotline on 227-4986 ext 215 or 624-3067 and a team would be sent to their location.

What pet caregivers, veterinarians need to know about coronavirus

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y dear pet caregivers, I know that I promised that this week we would continue discussing how clients with their sick animals (or those coming for routine treatments) should behave when visiting an animal clinic.

However, we will continue that topic next week.

Instead, a more serious issue has come to the fore - namely the coronavirus pandemic, and its connection with animals.

What you need to know about the coronavirus

Over the past month, I have been inundated with calls from pet owners asking me whether their pets can infect the owners.

Many of them pointed out that canine coronavirus was included on their pets’ Vaccination Certificates.

Well, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has issued updated guidance (March 10, 2020) on its Website.

WSAVA

has documented that veterinarians and pet owners should not panic about contracting the coronavirus disease (now called COVID-19).

Let me repeat: It is highly unlikely that humans could contract the New coronavirus from their dog or cat, or that their companion animals can transmit this virus to people or to other animals.

Scientists like Professor Michael Lappin at the James L Ross Veterinary Teaching Hospital (Colorado State University) and the Centre for Disease Control in the USA have published an advisory confirming that there is currently no evidence that pets or other domestic animals can be infected by this new strain of coronavirus; nor are they a source of infection to people. Evidently, this is a rapidly evolving situation that has now been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Of

course, we shall be monitoring the scientific publications and advisories and will keep you posted about new developments.

Now, let me answer the question about vets vaccinating your dogs against Canine Enteric (intestines) Coronavirus Disease. The vaccine that we vets use is available in the global marketplace.

They are not expected to offer any cross-immunisation/protection against COVID-19. This new virus with which humans are being confronted is a distinctly different coronavirus variant which targets the respiratory system, in the first instance.

Let me hasten to add, that although some media outlets have been mentioning the possibility of human infection from an-

imals, there is no reliable scientific evidence that pets (or other domestic animals) might be the source of the novel coronavirus relative to humans.

It behoves me to mention that at a symposium sponsored by the Ministry of Public Health at the National Cultural Centre on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, one speaker also endorsed the position that no data is currently available that would suggest dog to human and human to dog transmission/contamination/infection. This new coronavirus is simply a totally different strain from that which affects canine species.

For now, I am emphasising the text contained in the last paragraph, because throughout history, mankind – not quite understanding (or being unwilling to understand) that science tends to find

explanations/justifications by reading myths, legends and folklore that have as their consequence very inhumane treatment of animals; sharks are slaughtered for their fins, rhinoceroses for their horns, elephants for their tusks, black cats and bats for everything bad.

Reports have already begun to circulate that companion animals (pets) are being strayed or killed because owners fear that their pets can be carrying the virus.

Please do not become a member of a backward humanity by subjecting/ exposing your pet (part of your family) to the painful and agonising world of abandonment and loneliness.

Notwithstanding the sense and logic contained in the previous paragraphs, it is always preferable to err on the side of caution.

This means that all the preventative/ advisory u n dertaki n g s d o c u m e n t ed for humans should be followed, especially after playing with your companion animals.

Actually, as I have always posited, one should enact personal hygiene (not lastly washing of hands with the appropriate disinfectant) whenever you (this includes veterinarians) have touched a pet – whether during play or when you have taken/returned the dog/cat to the vet clinic.

This column will keep you up-to-date about new developments – especially those dealing with human-animal contamination associated with COVID-19 disease. Should you have any specific questions relating to this issue, please do not hesitate to contact me directly or via this newspaper.

NEWS

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MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GCCI calls for stakeholders to remain calm and allow the democratic processes to unfold

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he Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has welcomed the appointment of a “high-level” team from Caricom to supervise the recount of ballots cast in the March 2 Regional and General Elections.

The team is headed by Dominican former Attorney General and Foreign Affairs Minister, Francine Baron, and includes Anthony Boatswain, former Minister of Finance of Grenada, and Cynthia BarrowGiles, Senior Lecturer in Department of Government of UWI. In a missive issued by GCCI, it stated that the body acknowledges the consensus between President David Granger and Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo on the thrust for a recount of

The independent high-level mission (from left): Angela Taylor, Chief Electoral Officer, Barbados; Anthony Boatswain, former Finance Minister, Grenada; Francine Baron, Chair of the team and former Attorney General and Foreign Minister, Dominica; Fern Nacis-Scope, Chief Elections Officer, Trinidad and Tobago and Cynthia Barrow-Giles, Senior Lecturer, Department of Government, UWI

all of the ballots cast in the 10 Electoral Districts for the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

“The GCCI has taken note that some members of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) seem to be opposed to the recount in the first instance, and the involvement of the above mentioned “high-level” team. In this regard, the GCCI take this opportunity to note its fullest support for the total recount of the votes as agreed by President Granger and Jagdeo, under comprehensive oversight of the “high-level” team. The GCCI is convinced that this deliberate course of action will remove all doubts about the outcomes of the elections as a consequence of which Guyana can return to normalcy,” the release stat-

ed.

As such, in the view of the foregoing, the GCCI calls upon all concerned, but more specifically, GECOM and the contesting political parties to move with alacrity towards putting all of the requirements in place to facilitate the intended recounts in a most efficient manner as prescribed by the extant laws and with all possible checks and balances in place towards the achievement of common acceptability of the outcome of the recounts.

In the meantime, the GCCI urges all stakeholders, especially the constituents of the political parties, to remain calm and allow the democratic processes to unfold. Guyana deserves nothing less.

Citizenship Department urges citizens to use protective gear when visiting offices

I

n light of the presence of COVID-19 in Guyana, the Department of Citizenship is seeking to ensure that it takes all appropriate and recommended action in ensuring that members of the public who utilise the services of the Department and its staff members are protected from the spread of the vi-

rus.

As such, the entity wishes to remind that a significant number of persons who utilise its services on a daily basis are foreign nationals, many of whom would have engaged in recent overseas travel and could have been exposed to COVID-19.

Therefore, it advises citizens who seek to conduct

business at the Department of Citizenship and the General Registrar’s Office that they are requested to use protective gear as of Monday, March 16, 2020.

Specifically, persons visiting the Department of Citizenship and the General Registrar’s Office are asked to wear protective gear to cover their mouth, nostrils

and hands.

This request will remain in effect until the status of the spread of COVID-19 in Guyana is reviewed.

The DoC apologises to citizens for the inconvenience and thanks members of the public, in advance, for their understanding and cooperation in view of the prevailing situation.

CORONAVIRUS HOW TO HANDWASH? (COVID-19) WASH HANDS OR USE HAND SANITISERS

INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF?

People who think they may be affected by coronavirus need to call the Public Health Ministry hotline 227-4986/624-3067 for further advice.

They should not go to their GP, A&E, pharmacy or hospital.

If you have come into contact with somebody who may be infected, you may be told to self-isolate. People needing to do so should take "common-sense" steps to avoid close contact with other people.

(Adapted from BBC News)

14 NEWS

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Coronavirus threat

Court to utilise Skype for further remanded prisoners

G

iven the threat of coronavirus, the law courts in Guyana are putting systems in place to safeguard staff and members of the public.

In a press statement on Sunday evening, the Office of the Chancellor said that further remanding of prisoners would be conducted via Skype. The statement further stated that acting Chancellor, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards convened a meeting of senior court officials to address the response of the court system in safeguarding staff and

Chancellor, Justice Cummings-Edwards

Yonette

court customers. It was noted that a decision was taken to have all courts and their environs fumigated and sanitised. This exercise commenced last Friday and continued over the weekend.

“The weekend was chosen so as to cause minimal disruption to court services.

These courts will be open for business on Monday, March 16, 2020,” the statement read. Fumigation of the other courts will be done at the weekends also. This exercise will be conducted periodically as necessary.

“Members of the public

Oil extends slide, nears US$30 a barrel as virus weighs on global economy

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il prices extended losses on Monday, slumping by more than $1 a barrel, as an emergency rate cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve failed to soothe global financial markets panicked by the rapid spread of the coronavirus and mounting economic disruptions.

Over the weekend, more governments locked down by cancelling flights to contain the virus, telling some businesses like restaurants to close and encouraging more people to stay home.

Brent crude fell $1.83 to $32.02 a barrel by 2331 GMT, extending a plunge of over 20% last week. The front-month price opened at a high of $35.84 but slipped a low of $31.63.

US crude was at $30.20,

and court users entering the courts, the registries and offices will be required to sanitise their hands. Sanitisers will be provided and placed at the entrances to all court compounds and in strategic locations at all courts.

Judges and Magistrates, as well as supervisors of court registries and offices, will provide further guidance on the attendance of litigants and progress of trials and hearings,” the statement from the Chancellor’s office revealed.

It is advised that members of the public who do not have cases/matters in court but seek to accompany litigants are encouraged to stay away from the courts.

“A response team has been set up to deal with the preparedness, response,

Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts

and interaction with public health agencies. The team will interface with staff and report to the Chancellor of the Judiciary. Given the nature and characteristics of

COVID-19 and its potential to disrupt or even halt the functions of the court, it is expected that there will be scrupulous adherence to protocols.”

US death toll hits 65 from coronavirus, Fed cuts rate, NYC will close restaurants, bars, theatres

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down $1.53 after slipping below $30 earlier in the session, despite U.S. President Trump’s pledge to fill strategic oil reserve at the world’s largest oil consumer “to the top”.

The U.S. Federal Reserve slashed interest rates on Sunday in its second emergency cut this month, and said it would expand its bal-

ance sheet by at least $700 billion in coming weeks.

Oil markets have come under intense pressure from both worries about demand destruction as the pandemic spreads and oversupply after top exporter Saudi Arabia ramped up output and slashed prices to increase sales to consumers in Asia and Europe. (Reuters)

ith panic buying on Main Street and fear-driven sell-offs on Wall Street, the US Federal Reserve cut interest rates to near zero on Sunday in another emergency move to help shore up the US. economy amid the rapidly escalating coronavirus pandemic.

New York City Bill de Blasio on Sunday said he was ordering restaurants, bars and cafes to only sell food on a take-out or delivery basis. He also said he would order nightclubs, movie theaters, small theater houses and concert venues to close.

“This is not a decision I make lightly,” the mayor said in a written statement. “These places are part of the heart and soul of our city. They are part of what it means to be a New Yorker.

But our city is facing an unprecedented threat, and we must respond with a wartime mentality.”

For the second time since the financial crisis of 2008, the Fed cut rates at an emergency meeting, aiming for a target range of 0% to 0.25% to help put a floor under a rapidly disintegrating global economy.

US President Donald Trump, who had openly pressed the Fed for further action, called the move “terrific” and “very good news.”

Americans are waking up to a new reality as coronavirus spreads, with store shelves stripped bare of essentials, schools closed and millions of jobs in jeopardy as businesses temporarily shut their doors. New York City joined the nation’s other major public school systems in calling off classes

Members of a Servpro cleanup crew wearing hazardous material suits prepare to enter Life Care Centre of Kirkland, the Seattle-area nursing home at the epicenter of one of the biggest coronavirus outbreaks in the United States, in Kirkland, Washington, US, March 11, 2020

starting this week.

“We’re learning from watching other countries,” Trump said. “It’s a very contagious virus ... but it’s something that we have tremendous control of.”

Trump has faced criticism at home and abroad for sometimes downplaying the seriousness of the coronavirus and overstating his administration’s ability to handle it.

Dr Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious diseases expert, said the United States was entering a new phase of coronavirus testing but tempered the president’s optimism.

“The worst is yet ahead for us,” Fauci said, a warning he has issued frequently in the past week. “It is how we respond to that challenge that is going to what the ultimate end point is going to be.”

US Vice President Mike Pence said testing for coronavirus was expanding with more than 2,000 labs across the country ready to process tests and 10 states operating drive-through testing.

US. Assistant Health

Secretary Brett Giroir said there will be 1.9 million high-throughput tests available this week.

The United States has lagged behind other industrialized nations in its ability to test for the coronavirus.

In early March, the Trump administration said close to 1 million coronavirus tests would soon be available and anyone who needed a test would get one, a promise it failed to keep.

With limited testing available, U.S. officials have recorded nearly 3,000 cases and 65 deaths, up from 58 on Saturday. Globally more than 162,000 are infected and over 6,000 have died.

Pence also said the government on Monday morning would issue updated federal guidelines, which he described as “broad-based recommendations for the American public.”

The US Centers for Disease Control on Sunday recommended that events with gatherings of 50 or more people over the next eight weeks be postponed or canceled. (Reuters)

NEWS

15

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Qatar suspends incoming flights Tennessee AG foils 2 brothers’ hand sanitisers for preliminary 2-week period price-gouging scheme Q

I

t was the perfect getrich quick scheme: a pair of brothers, more than 17,000 bottles of hand sanitizer, and a 1,300-mile road trip. But the Tennessee Attorney General put a stop to it.

Noah and Matt Colvin, both from Tennessee, decided to stock up on hand sanitizer on March 1, just after the US announced its first death from coronavirus. Noah took a lengthy road trip from their home state into Kentucky, filling a U-Haul with bottles of sanitizer and antibacterial wipes, while Matt stayed

at home and reposted products he ordered online back on Amazon at a markup.

He says he sold 300 bottles for between $8 and $70 each before the site pulled his items as they implemented stricter rules against coronavirus-related price gouging. And on Saturday night, Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery III ordered the brothers to stop selling or buying sanitizer while they were investigated for price gouging, which Tennessee law prevents on necessary goods during a state of emergency. Some of their

goods were taken to a local church, which will distribute them among the community, while others were taken back to Kentucky.

But when talking to the New York Times, Matt was unapologetic about his actions. “I honestly feel like it’s a public service,” he said. “I’m being paid for my public service. “But I’m not looking to be in a situation where I make the front page of the news for being that guy who hoarded 20,000 bottles of sanitizer that I’m selling for 20 times what they cost me,” he added. (NY Daily News)

Coronavirus: Louis Vuitton owner to start making hand sanitiser

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ouis Vuitton owner LVMH will use its perfume production lines to start making hand santiser to protect people against the coronavirus outbreak.

The luxury goods maker says it wants to help tackle a nationwide shortage of the anti-viral products across France.

“These gels will be delivered free of charge to the health authorities,” LVMH announced on Sunday.

France has now seen 120 deaths from the coronavirus as the pandemic spreads.

“LVMH will use the production lines of its perfume and cosmetic brands... to produce large quantities of hydroalcoholic gels from Monday,” LVMH said in a statement.

The factories normally produce perfume and makeup for luxury brands like Christian Dior and Givenchy.

The French luxury conglomerate also owns well-

T

Qatar announced 64 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, taking the total to 401 [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

rus in the tiny Gulf nation, taking its total number of cases to 401.

So far 7,950 people have been tested for COVID-19 while four people have reportedly recovered, according to the ministry.

The committee announced all forms of public transport, including buses and its newly launched metro system, would be suspended starting Sunday night.

To limit physical interaction, the committee said all government employees above the age of 55, pregnant women, and people suffering from long-term illnesses, such as diabetes or chronic heart disease, would be allowed to work remotely.

The directive reiterated a government decision made earlier this week that attendance at all schools would be suspended with government and private schools continuing through remote education.

The committee said final year high-school students will still have to sit their end-of-year exams.

Although not included in the committee’s statement, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced in a tweet on Sunday that dining in restaurants and cafes would also be banned until further notice as part of the efforts to contain the spread of the virus. Ordering food deliveries home would still be allowed. (Al Jazeera)

Airlines slash schedules, jobs and pay after new travel restrictions

A known brands such as champagne maker Moet & Chandon, watchmaker Tag Heuer and jeweller Bulgari.

“LVMH will continue to honour this commitment for as long as necessary, in connection with the French health authorities,” the company said.

France has closed its restaurants, cafes and non-essential stores in an effort to combat the virus, which has infected an estimated 162,687 people and killed more than 6,000.

Governments across the world have called on manufacturers to help make products that are running low during the virus outbreak.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to ask UK engineering firms on Monday to shift production to build ventilators for the NHS. In China, at the peak of its coronavirus outbreak in February, electronics giant Foxconn switched some of its production from Apple iPhones to make surgical masks. (BBC News)

Coronavirus: EU States record highest one-day death toll

he three states bearing the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic in Europe have all recorded their highest death tolls for a single day.

Italy saw 368 deaths bring its total to 1,809, Spain recorded 97 more deaths for a total of 288, and France reported 29 deaths, giving a total of 120.

The UK also saw a single-day record, with 14 new deaths and a total of 35.

Governments across Europe have responded by

atar has announced a series of measures, including the suspension of all incoming flights for a preliminary two-week period, as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

The moves were announced on Sunday following a meeting between Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management.

An economic and financial package will provide incentives amounting to 75 billion Qatari riyals ($23bn) to help support the private business sector during the outbreak.

The statement from the committee included, “Stopping all incoming flights to Doha, starting Wednesday evening, which corresponds to March 18, for a 14-day period that can be extended,” adding cargo and transit flights would be exempted from the ban.

It said Qatari citizens would continue to be allowed into the country after they quarantine for two weeks.

The announcements came after Qatar’s health ministry announced 64 new confirmed cases of coronavi-

curbing the movements of citizens and tightening borders.

Germany is to impose controls on its borders with France, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark and Luxembourg as of Monday morning, while Portugal will clamp down on its frontier with Spain.

The Czech government has introduced stringent lockdown measures: people will be allowed to go to and from work and buy food or medicine, and make urgent family visits, but otherwise free movement will be se-

verely limited from midnight (23:00 GMT) on Sunday until 24 March.

Austria is banning gatherings of more than five people from Monday, and the Republic of Ireland is asking pubs to shut until 29 March.

Schools will be closed across many European states.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has now declared Europe the "epicentre" of the pandemic which originated in China.

(BBC News)

irlines around the world announced they would make more drastic reductions to their flying schedules, cut jobs and seek Government aid after countries further tightened border restrictions due to the coronavirus.

United Airlines Holdings (UAL.O) booked $1.5 billion less revenue in March than the same time last year and warned employees that planes could be flying nearly empty into the summer, even after severe flight cuts.

United said it would cut corporate officers’ salaries by 50% and reduce flight capacity by about 50% in April and May, with deep capacity cuts also expected into the summer travel period.

“This crisis is moving really quickly,” United Chief Executive Oscar Munoz and President Scott Kirby said in a memo to employees on Sunday.

Things worsened over the weekend as Spain declared a state of emergency, the Trump administration added Britain and Ireland to its list of countries facing travel curbs and Australia and New Zealand said all travelers would have to self-isolate for 14 days.

UK airlines called on the British government to help ensure their survival, while Germany’s Tui AG (TUIGn. DE) and Scandinavian car-

rier SAS (SAS.ST) said they would temporarily suspend the vast majority of operations due to the COVID-19 outbreak and apply for government support.

Icelandair Group hf (ICEAIR.IC) said it was cutting capacity and working with labor unions to reduce its salary cost “significantly”.

Air New Zealand Ltd (AIR.NZ) said job losses would be necessary as it cut long-haul capacity by 85% over the coming months.

“We are now accepting that for the coming months at least Air New Zealand will be a smaller airline requiring fewer resources, including people,” Air New Zealand Chief Executive Greg Foran said in a statement.

The airline has halted trading in its shares until Wednesday.

Qantas Airways Ltd (QAN.AX) said it would be making fresh cuts to its flying schedule beyond the 25% reduction in international capacity announced

last week due to the new travel restrictions.

UBS analysts said the latest travel restrictions would have a significant effect on Qantas’ international traffic, which historically accounted for around 45% of revenue and 25% of earnings before interest and tax.

“A downside scenario where international traffic is down 50% for a whole year and domestic down 30% could result in cash burn of up to A$200 million ($123.60 million) per month after incorporating changes to the business,” UBS said of Qantas.

Smaller rival Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd (VAH.AX), which has a weaker balance sheet but a heavier domestic focus, said it was assessing its response to the new travel restrictions.

Virgin said on Friday it would make deeper capacity cuts, suspend financial guidance, freeze hiring and offer leave without pay to staff. (Reuters)

16

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020

Regional

Coronavirus infections mount in Region

Brazil’s President takes selfies, celebrates with crowds despite coronavirus risks

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razilian President Jair Bolsonaro took selfies with supporters and celebrated the thousands of protesters gathering in major cities on Sunday, just days after he had called for a suspension of the demonstrations due to the spreading coronavirus.

Bolsonaro appeared to shrug off the advice of medical experts suggesting he remain isolated after several members of his delegation to Florida recently tested positive for the virus.

The President tested negative for the virus, as did US President Donald Trump following their meeting, but newspaper O Estado de S Paulo reported that Bolsonaro’s medical team has suggested he remain isolated until early next week. He will also take another test to rule out all chances that he has the virus, the paper reported on Friday.

Estado also reported on Sunday that the seventh member of Bolsonaro’s entourage in Florida had tested positive for the corona-

V

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro meets supporters during a protest against Brazil's Congress and Brazilian Supreme Court in front the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, March 15, 2020

virus, citing sources who said that press aide Samy Liberman had contracted the disease.

Bolsonaro strode down the ramp of the presidential palace in a Brazilian soccer jersey and met a throng of protesters at the front gate, where he bumped fists, grabbed cell phones to take pictures and leaned in for selfies with the crowd.

In streaming video of the encounter from his official Facebook account,

Bolsonaro said it was “priceless” to see so many public demonstrations in favour of his agenda, playing down his warnings against them in a Thursday address to the nation.

“Although I suggested (a postponement), I can’t order anything because this protest isn’t mine,” Bolsonaro said.

“With everything against them – the press, the virus, the recommendations – the people took to the streets.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

ly and tragically bring down our country.”

Authorities will allow exceptions to the quarantine to allow for the functioning of transport, health and food delivery services, he said.

The military was deployed around the country on Sunday as part of what the Government called an effort to support the health system.

State television showed uniformed troops in face masks, while top officers urged citizens to avoid public meetings.

The Government had earlier suspended most international flights and cancelled school. Colombia closed the border between the two nations, dealing a blow to Venezuelan border residents who often shop and work in

C

parks would also be closed.

A day earlier, Argentina published a decree establishing a 30-day ban on entry to non-residents who have travelled to a country highly affected by coronavirus in the last 14 days.

The country has also temporarily stopped issuing vi-

sas to travellers from the United States, China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Britain and many European countries.

Argentina now has 56 cases of coronavirus, the Government said, up from 45 on Saturday. (Excerpt from Reuters)

COVID-19 and has introduced a string of measures – including closing its border with Venezuela and stopping foreign visitors from entering its territory – to contain the disease.

Depending on the evo-

T

he Health and Wellness Ministry has confirmed two more cases of COVID-19 in the island, bringing the number of confirmed cases to 10.

In a statement, the Ministry said 19 persons were tested in the past 24 hours by the National Influenza Centre, with 17 tests returning as negative.

One of the newly confirmed cases was identified through contact tracing of patient one, while the second patient presented at the hospital with a travel history to Trinidad and Tobago and displayed symptoms similar to COVID-19.

The 17 other patients from Kingston and St Andrew, St Ann and

Clarendon, were identified through contact tracing from confirmed cases.

The ministry said all 19 cases remain in isolation until the healthcare team is reasonably satisfied that their symptoms have subsided.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Guatemala reports 1st death, an elderly man back from Spain

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uatemala has registered its first fatality from coronavirus infection, an elderly man who had recently visited Madrid, Health Minister Hugo Monroy said on Sunday, in one of the first deaths from the outbreak to hit Central America.

Monroy told a news conference the 85-year-old man returned from Spain with-

out showing signs of illness.

Only on Saturday did the man present symptoms of infection and doctors confirmed he had the virus early on Sunday, Monroy added. The man later died in a private hospital.

In contrast to Mexico, some Central American countries have imposed extensive restrictions on their populations in a bid to con-

tain the spread of the virus in the region.

On Sunday, Honduran Police moved people off beaches and out of shops and cafes to enforce an order issued by the Government on Saturday to prohibit gatherings of more than 50 people.

Panama reported its first coronavirus death earlier this week. (Excerpt from Reuters)

T&T: Pandemic leave for workers with children Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro wears a protective face mask as he speaks during a meeting at Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela, March 13, 2020

the neighbouring nation.

Authorities are requiring that people wear face masks to enter public transportation.

Maduro has urged Washington to lift the measures. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Colombia cancels classes to halt the spread of virus lasses at Colombia’s public schools and universities will be cancelled today to contain the spread of the coronavirus, President Ivan Duque said on Sunday.

The Andean country has reported 34 cases of

A

rgentina will close its borders for 15 days to non-residents in order to combat the spread of coronavirus, President Alberto Fernandez said on Sunday.

Public and private school classes would also be suspended until March 31, Fernandez said. National

2 more COVID-19 cases confirmed in Jamaica

Venezuela orders “social quarantine”

enezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday ordered businesses to close and citizens to remain in their homes in a “social quarantine” affecting six states and the capital, Caracas, starting today to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Venezuela has confirmed 17 cases of the virus and no deaths, but the decay of its public health system after years of economic crisis has raised alarm about whether Maduro’s government is in a position to control its spread.

“At five in the morning, we will enter social quarantine,” Maduro said in televised comments.

Saying there “is no other option”, Maduro added: “We either go into quarantine, or the pandemic could brutal-

Argentina to close borders for non-residents

lution of coronavirus, the Government will decide on April 20 whether or not classes will resume in school or continue to be taught virtually, the President said on Twitter.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

P

ublic servants who cannot find supervision for their children over the next week while schools are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic can now benefit from pandemic leave.

The novel paid-leave, part of a draft national policy for workplaces during the pandemic, was announced by Labour Minister Jennifer Baptiste-Primus during a press conference at her ministry’s headquarters in Port-of-Spain, on Sunday morning.

Baptiste-Primus explained that the leave would immediately apply to public officers, who are permanent, temporary, monthly paid or daily-rated, on fixed or temporary contracts, who fall under the Salaries Review Commission, and On-theJob Trainees (OJTs).

It will apply to public officers assigned to Government Ministries and State companies.

Baptiste-Primus not-

ed that the policy, which is expected to be taken to Cabinet after the National Tripartite Advisory Council considers it early this week, will have to be implemented by private companies through consultation with trade unions.

During the press conference, Baptiste-Primus presented a series of guidelines to be applied by Private Sector employees and employers before the full implementation in their workplaces.

She encouraged employees with children to first utilise their usual support systems and employers to implement policies to allow employees with children to work from home.

“One parent is encouraged to stay at home with the children while the other reports for duty,” BaptistePrimus said.

While Baptiste-Primus said that the ministry could not seek to compel private employers to implement

the exact policy, she encouraged them to introduce compassionate measures aimed at ensuring business continuity while securing the national interest.

Baptiste-Primus repeatedly stated that parents, employed both in the Private and Public Sectors, should not bring their children to work during the period, which may still be adjusted by the Government based on how the situation develops.

However, she called on citizens not to abuse the proposed facility. The leave would only apply to parents with no supervision for their children and those employees who do not benefit from for sick leave as part of their employment, in the event, they fall ill, have to be quarantined or eventually are confirmed to have contracted the virus.

“If you are not sick, do not stay away from work,” she said. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

guyanatimesgy.com

OILNEWS Oil giants set health checks for critical staff, work-from-home rules

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ajor energy companies in the United States imposed work-from-home rules for office staff and began health checks for remote or critical workers as coronavirus spread and threatened an industry reeling from falling demand and profits.

BP, Exxon Mobil, Kinder Morgan, Motiva Enterprises and Royal Dutch Shell told most office staff to work from home starting today. Federal regulators on Friday were pressed by companies to ease work rules for pipeline operators and to limit visits to some sites. Shell and Chevron began health checks of workers and visitors at some key US facilities, spokesmen said.

Offshore rigs, refineries and pipelines require on-site teams and group workers in close quarters, making them vulnerable in a COVID-19 outbreak. They cannot be run remotely and health checks could prevent forced shutdowns that could lead to big losses or local fuel shortages.

The pandemic has infected more than 156,000 people worldwide including some 2900 people in the United States, killed more than 5800 globally and slashed fuel demand amid shuttered schools, churches, offices and some retail stores.

There is only one known case of COVID-19 to hit a US refinery. Marathon Petroleum Corp, the nation’s largest refiner by capacity, removed some staff at a California plant after an employee became ill. Norwegian oil firm Equinor halted a North Sea development project and removed staff after an offshore worker fell ill.

Falling oil demand and a price-war that slashed crude prices by about 50 per cent this year has put the industry in a tailspin.

Many oil firms have abruptly cut spending and staff to cope with the downturn.

Work-at-home rules, fewer car and plane trips are expected to reduce US petroleum demand by up to 2.5 million barrels per day (bpd). For the full year, it could cut motor fuel use by roughly 300,000 to 400,000 bpd.

There have been no refining or chemical plant shut-ins caused by coronavirus. Still, companies are drafting plans similar to hurricane measures that keep plants running with minimal staff, said people familiar with operations.

Shell asked salaried staff at its Louisiana refineries to begin shadowing hourly plant operators to prepare managers to run units if necessary, the people said.

Exxon will allow only trained operators into control rooms at its Baytown plant, and they must remain at least six feet apart from one another, they added.

Pipeline regulators discussed work-rules for control room operators and visits by US and state inspectors with trade group executives on Friday, said Suzanne Lemieux, an emergency expert at trade group American Petroleum Institute.

BP and Shell on Friday gave workers work-at-home assignments following similar social-distancing measures at Apple, Facebook, and Microsoft’s Silicon Valley offices. The rules affect about 15,000 US Shell workers.

Shell has begun screening staff who travel to its US Gulf of Mexico production rigs “to ensure that we minimise the risks of COVID-19 transmission” to offshore workers, said spokesman Curtis Smith.

The sweeping precautions affect refinery, oil and gas export terminal and gas pipeline operations. Kinder Morgan Inc, one of the largest North American pipeline firms, asked most of its 11,000 employees to work from home beginning today. It will reevaluate the situation weekly, said spokeswoman Melissa Ruiz.

Non-essential workers at BP’s US refineries, Exxon’s Baytown, Texas, refinery and Shell’s Convent and Norco, Louisiana, plants also will work from home beginning today, according to people familiar with the matter. BP may keep the measures through midApril, one of the people said.

Exxon would not comment on specific actions. It is focused “on ensuring the safety and health of our entire workforce and to do our part to limit the spread,” said spokesman Todd Spitler.

Marathon Petroleum launched “business-continuity plans to accommodate staffing needs in the event of illness-related absenteeism,” spokesman Jamal Kheiry said.

Among measures being weighed at refineries are assigning small crews to keep plants during an outbreak, the people said.

Crews would not leave until the crisis passed.

Most refineries can operate with about half their normal staff, the people said, but may have to scale back production.

Refiners LyondellBasell Industries and Chevron are considering health checks for employees as they begin their workday, said people familiar with the deliberations.

“We are taking precautionary measures to reduce the risk of exposure, including screening workers and visitors,” Chevron spokesman Braden Reddall said. Local offices will set their own rules with health officials, he added. (Excerpt from Reuters)

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020

17

Around the World

Lockdowns and entry bans imposed around the world to fight coronavirus

F

rance and Spain joined Italy in imposing lockdowns on tens of millions of people, Australia ordered self-isolation of arriving foreigners and other countries extended entry bans as the world sought to contain the spreading coronavirus.

Panic buying in Australia, the United States and Britain saw leaders appeal for calm over the virus that has infected over 156,000 people globally and killed more than 5800.

Several countries imposed bans on mass gathering, shuttered sporting, cultural and religious events, while medical experts urged people to practise “social distancing” to curb the spread.

Austria’s Chancellor urged people to self-isolate and announced bans on

Customers, wearing face masks, shop at a supermarket, following the outbreak of coronavirus, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, March 15, 2020

gatherings of more than five people and further limits on who can enter the country.

All of Pope Francis’ Easter services next month will be held without the faithful attending, the Vatican said on Sunday, in a

step believed to be unprecedented in modern times.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said from midnight Sunday international travellers arriving in the country would need to isolate them-

selves for 14 days, and foreign cruise ships would be banned for 30 days, given a rise in imported cases.

Australia’s latest restrictions mirror those announced by neighbouring New Zealand on Saturday.

Britain is preparing to ban mass gatherings and could isolate people aged over 70 for up to four months as part of plans to tackle coronavirus, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said.

Argentina banned entry to non-residents who have been to any country highly affected by coronavirus in the last 14 days, while Colombia said it would expel four Europeans for violating compulsory quarantine protocols, hours after closing its border with Venezuela.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Lagos gas blast kills 15, destroys several buildings, Nigerian officials say

A

n explosion at a gas processing plant on Sunday killed at least 15 people and destroyed about 50 buildings after a fire broke out in a suburb of Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, emergency services said.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said the explosion was triggered after a truck hit some gas cylinders stacked in a gas processing plant near the corporation’s pipeline in Abule Ado area of Lagos state.

The impact of the explosion led to the collapse of nearby houses, damaged NNPC’s pipeline and caused the corporation to halt pumping operations on the Atlas Cove-Mosimi pipeline, the state-owned oil company

Pipeline fires in Nigeria, Africa’s biggest crude oil producer, are common and they are mostly caused by theft and sabotage

said in a statement.

Several people were injured and taken to hospital, according to Ibrahim Farinloye, zonal coordinator for the National Emergency

Management Agency (NEMA).

Plumes of smoke billowed into the air as people watched, while firefighters tried to quench the flames, a

Reuters witness said.

Farinloye told Reuters that “the explosion destroyed over 50 residential houses.”

Pipeline fires in Nigeria, Africa’s biggest crude oil producer, are common and they are mostly caused by theft and sabotage. The methods used to steal oil often result in accidents that cause fires.

“The fire started with smoke,” one eyewitness said. “The smoke was coming up and later we heard a sound ... and some houses collapsed even the roofs.”

NNPC said that the temporary shutdown of the petroleum products pipeline would not affect the normal supply of products to the Lagos and surrounding towns. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Netanyahu's rival Gantz secures 61 majority to form Government

T

he main rival to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won support from Israel's Arab coalition on Sunday to form a Government, potentially undermining Netanyahu's plan to stay in power atop a proposed unity Cabinet to fight the coronavirus outbreak.

After a third inconclusive election in less than a year left Netanyahu still three seats short of forming a majority, the Prime Minister has asked his main rival, Benny Gantz, the former chief of the Israeli military, to agree to an "emergency government" to fight the global pandemic.

However, Gantz has so far been cool to the proposal, suggesting he could still try to form a minority

The latest elections on March 2 did not hand a decisive majority to either of the main candidates [Corinna Kern/Reuters]

Government of his own, removing Israel's longest-serving leader.

Israel's president on Sunday said he has decided to give Gantz the first

opportunity to form a new Government.

President Reuven Rivlin's office announced his decision late on Sunday after consulting with leaders of all of the par-

ties elected to parliament.

Speaking at a meeting with Rivlin, Joint List head Ayman Odeh said its voters had said "an emphatic 'no' to a right-wing government and Benjamin Netanyahu".

With Netanyahu facing criminal charges in three corruption cases - his trial was supposed to start on Tuesday but was postponed until May 24 amid the health crisis - political rivals have cast doubt on his motives for proposing a unity Cabinet.

Gantz has said Netanyahu did not appear to be sincere, having yet to send a negotiating team to Gantz's Blue and White party. "When you're serious, we'll talk," Gantz wrote.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

PEANUTS

Fend for yourself and take credit for what you accomplish. The less contact you have with others, the easier it will be to get things done without interference.

A personal pick-me-up will boost your morale.

Search for a way to raise your earning potential or boost an investment that will enhance your retirement savings. A sensitive matter will confuse you. When in doubt, reserve judgment.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Follow your gut instinct and make your feelings and thoughts crystal-clear.

Helping others and sharing your ideas will help you get ahead. Romance is featured.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Step into the spotlight and be entertaining, but don’t share your inner thoughts or beliefs. Put a smile on someone’s face instead of raising controversial issues that will be divisive.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

If you show how passionate and willing you are to put your time and effort behind a cause you care about, you will make a difference and drum up support.

LIBRA

Take a back seat and observe. Once you know where you stand among your peers, you can share your opinions with those who can help further your plans.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Turn your attention toward people and projects that excite you, and refuse to let anyone take advantage of you. Put your priorities first and do what’s best for you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Surround yourself with people who build you up and encourage you to excel. Loyal friends with similar interests will help you expand your ideas. Make your feelings clear to a loved one.

Alter your life or plans SAGITTARIUS because you want to, not be(Nov. 23cause someone is pressuring Dec. 21) you. Do whatever you can to secure your finances and ensure that you live a healthy lifestyle.

LAST PUBLISHED WORD ꟷ

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Forge ahead energetically. If you want something, go after it, and if you desire change, take the helm and implement what you want to happen. Romance will enrich your personal life.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Express your thoughts.

Discuss what you want to do and give others the freedom to do the same. Walk away from situations that limit or confine you.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Move outside your circle and interact with people who can shine a new light on something that interests you.

Make adjustments that will improve your current financial and domestic situations.

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020

19

NBA: Affected player Gobert pledges US$500,000 to virus relief effort

F

Gobert

Rudy

renchman Rudy Gobert, the first NBA player known to have tested positive for the coronavirus, is donating more than US$500,000 to support both the employee relief fund at the Utah Jazz’s home arena and COVID-19-related social services relief in Utah, Oklahoma City and the French health care system, the NBA team said on Saturday.

“These donations are a small token that reflect my appreciation and support for all those impacted and are the first of many steps I will take to try and make a positive difference, while continuing to learn

more about COVID-19 and educate others,” Gobert said in a statement released by the Jazz.

The pledged donation will provide $200,000 in aid to part-time employees at the Jazz home arena who are not able to work due to the postponement of NBA games and other entertainment events, in conjunction with employee assistance efforts already being undertaken by team owners, the Jazz said.

Additionally, Gobert will contribute $100,000 each to assist families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in Utah and Oklahoma City plus 100,000 euros for his native France.

The NBA suspended its season indefinitely on Wednesday after it was confirmed Gobert had tested positive for COVID-19.

The test result was reported shortly prior to the tip-off of Wednesday’s game between the Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma City and the game was canceled.

Gobert was not in the arena.

“I was careless and make no excuse,” he said in an apology. “I hope my story serves as a warning and causes everyone to take this seriously.”

Reports: Pistons' Wood tests positive for coronavirus

Detroit Pistons forward Christian Wood tested positive for coronavirus, multiple out-

lets reported Saturday night.

Wood becomes the third known NBA player to test positive for the virus. Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz, who played the Pistons last week, are the others.

The Pistons confirmed later Saturday night that a player on their team had tested positive, but they didn’t release the identity.

The club said the player had been in self-isolation since Wednesday night.

“A preliminary positive result came back on March 14,” the club said in a statement.

“The health and safety of our players, our organization, those throughout our league, and all those potentially impacted by this situation is paramount.

“We are working closely with team medical staff, state and local government and public health officials and the NBA on reporting. The individual will remain in isolation and under the care of team medical staff.”

The Athletic reported that Wood felt “subtle symptoms” on Thursday and decided to get tested as a precaution.

Wood’s agent, Adam Pensack, said the following to the Detroit News on Saturday night about Wood: “He feels 100 percent fine.”

Wood went up against the Jazz and Gobert on March 7 in Detroit, and the two got mixed up in an incident that resulted in double technical fouls.

Wood had 30 points and 11 rebounds in

that game, while Gobert had 10 points and 12 rebounds. Videos from the game show many times where their bodies come together or their sweaty faces are in close proximity.

The 24-year-old Wood was in the midst of a breakout season prior to play being suspended Wednesday night after Gobert’s positive test. Mitchell’s test came back positive on Thursday.

Wood averaged 13.1 points and 6.3 rebounds in 62 games. The UNLV product had a career-best 32 points against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, official Courtney Kirkland’s coronavirus test came back negative, ESPN reported on Saturday.

Kirkland was one of the officials assigned to Wednesday’s game between the New Orleans Pelicans and host Sacramento Kings that was postponed.

Kirkland had worked the Jazz’s game on Monday in Salt Lake City against the Toronto Raptors. After news of Gobert’s positive test broke, players on the Pelicans and Kings became aware that Kirkland had officiated the game involving Gobert and expressed their reluctance to play the game to NBA officials.

The game was canceled a short time later.

According to ESPN, Kirkland is now cleared to leave Sacramento and can resume all activities without restriction. (Reuters)

Coronavirus: Ferrari shuts down production because of ongoing crisis F

errari has shut down production at its Formula 1 and road-car factories in Italy for two weeks as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

It is part of a wider lockdown that began last week across badly-hit Italy.

Ferrari said the decision had been made "for its employees' wellbeing".

Chief executive officer Louis Camilleri said: "It is out of our respect for them, their peace of mind and of their families that we have decided on this course of action."

Staff who have laptops and the possibility to continue to work from home will do so, with Ferrari planning on being shut down until 27 March.

Italy is the worst affected country in Europe, with over 1,440 deaths so far.

Other F1 teams are carrying on working for now, despite the uncertainty over when the season will start this year.

Mercedes' two F1 factories in the UK will continue normal operations but all team members returning from Melbourne will self-isolate for 14 days.

Ferrari's decision comes after the F1 season was suspended following the cancellation of this weekend's

Australian Grand Prix.

A decision to postpone the succeeding Bahrain and Vietnam races followed hours after the Melbourne race was called off on Friday morning in Australia.

The Chinese Grand Prix, which had been scheduled to be the fourth event of the season, was postponed in February.

Governing body the FIA and commercial rights holder the F1 Group gave conflicting information in concurrent statements as to the likely next steps.

The FIA said it hoped "to begin the championship in Europe on 1 May", which is the scheduled start of the Dutch Grand Prix weekend, the first race after the long-haul events.

But F1, which controls the calendar, said in its statement that both organisations "expect to begin the championship in Europe at the end of May, but given the sharp increase in coronavirus cases in Europe in recent days, this will be regularly reviewed".

That suggests a start date of the Monaco Grand Prix, which is currently scheduled for 22-24 May. In reality, neither may be possible and insiders say that in fact F1 is tentative-

Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel will not be in action until at least May (Getty Images)

ly planning at this stage for the season to start with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on 7 June.

There will be a rejig of the calendar and an attempt to cram in as many of the postponed races as possible before the

end of the year, although some will inevitably fall by the wayside.

And any start date depends on the progress of plans to control the spread of the coronavirus around the globe. (BBC Sport)

20

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Australia, New Zealand farewell bid spectator sport as coronavirus curbs bite T

he curtain lowered on spectator sport in Australia and New Zealand on Sunday, with fans watching top flight soccer and rugby matches at stadiums for the last time before crowd bans and border controls kick in to fight the spread of coronavirus.

With sport at a virtual standstill across much of the globe, the Antipodean nations are among the last hold-outs for elite competition, even as infections rise and the noose tightens around international travel.

Australia’s top winter football codes have resolved to play on with spectator bans for as long as they can reasonably do so, but the governing body of Super Rugby had little choice but to suspend the sprawling rugby union competition.

New Zealand announced the world’s “toughest” border restrictions on Saturday, effectively preventing the nation’s five Super Rugby teams from playing away and their opponents in Australia, South Africa, Argentina and Japan from visiting.

The ACT Brumbies were nonetheless able to welcome the Sydney-based New South Wales Waratahs to a sunbathed Canberra Stadium on Sunday and win the last Super Rugby game “for the foreseeable future” 47-14.

COVID-19, the deadly respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus, has infected more than 153,00 people globally and killed more than 5,800.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who called for an end to all non-essential gatherings of more than 500 people from Monday, scrapped plans to watch his favorite Cronulla Sharks in the National Rugby League after a senior min-

“Devastated players”

Nick Phipps (right) from the New South Wales Waratahs prepares to put the ball into the scrum during the Super Rugby semi-final match against New Zealand's Highlanders at the Sydney Football Stadium

ister contracted the virus.

But a decent crowd turned up at Brookvale Oval on Sydney’s northern beaches to watch the Manly Sea Eagles lose 18-4 to Melbourne Storm in the opening round’s penultimate match.

When the match balls went out of play, ball-kids wearing gloves passed them to staff who dunked them in bins of disinfectant before handing them back into play.

It was otherwise a relaxed atmosphere of families on picnic rugs and friends cradling beers, completely at odds with the sense of crisis engulfing the sport at its Sydney headquarters.

Earlier on Sunday, NRL management

warned of “catastrophic” financial losses for the most popular sport in the country’s eastern states, with Rugby League Commission boss Peter V’landys making an early plea for government assistance.

The league’s sole New Zealand team, the Auckland-based Warriors, were praised for keeping the season alive by setting up camp in Australia’s northern New South Wales state.

For the Warriors to head home after midnight on Sunday would mean having to self-isolate for 14 days, which would hopelessly compromise the competition’s integrity.

A couple of players returned to New Zealand but the rest face an indefinite period away from home.

“That’s a huge solid for the entire NRL,” Warriors captain Wade Graham wrote on Twitter.

“Massive sacrifice basing themselves in Australia away from family and friends.”

It may only be a temporary relief for the NRL, however, with Warriors CEO Cameron George saying his side were only committed to one more game in Australia.

“There were a lot of devastated players there yesterday. There were some grown men with tears in their eyes,” George told New Zealand media.

The Australian government on Sunday followed New Zealand’s lead by imposing a mandatory 14-day period of self-isolation on international arrivals from midnight.

The measure has plunged Australia’s A-League, the country’s top-flight soccer competition, into jeopardy some six weeks from the playoffs.

Wellington Phoenix, the league’s sole New Zealand side, hosted Melbourne Victory on Sunday afternoon, with little prospect of either side reaching Australia before the midnight deadline.

A temporary suspension, at least, appears inevitable for the A-League while the Phoenix, like the Warriors, may have to choose between giving up the season or basing themselves in Australia.

The Phoenix players were left to ponder an uncertain future after the final whistle at Wellington Regional Stadium but sent their fans home happy with a 3-0 victory.

(Reuters)

Coronavirus: 5 Valencia Tokyo 2020 torch handover to take place players and staff including in empty Athens stadium Garay test positive

The Japanese national flag waves next to an altar with the Olympic flame of the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, following the cancellation of the torch relay as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus

T

he Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games flame handover in Athens next week will be done in an empty stadium amid the coronavirus outbreak, Greece’s Olympic Committee said on Sunday.

Greece on Friday canceled the remainder of the domestic Olympic torch relay through the country to avoid attracting crowds a day after the Tokyo Games flame was lit in ancient Olympia.

“The Hellenic Olympic Committee has decided that the handover ceremony for

the “Tokyo 2020” Olympic Games, on Thursday, March 19, will take place at the Panathenaic Stadium behind closed doors,” it said in a statement.

The central Athens stadium, site of the 1896 Games, usually attracts thousands of spectators to the handover ceremony to the next host city of winter and summer Games every two years.

Greece had three fatalities from the disease and 228 confirmed cases by late Saturday.

“Following the orders of the Greek State in order

to contain the coronavirus pandemic and for the protection of public health no accreditation cards issued will be valid,” the country’s Olympic Committee said.

Japan is still preparing to host the Olympics, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Saturday, despite rising global concern about the viability of the summer Games due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Abe and his government as well as the International Olympic Committee have been adamant the July 24Aug 9 Games will go ahead, even as other global sporting events have been put on hold.

Speculation about a delay from the July start date has grown since U.S. President Donald Trump said organizers should consider a one-year postponement.

The Olympic Torch relay, in which the Olympic flame typically starts a tour around the host nation, is due to start in the Japanese prefecture of Fukushima in less than two weeks. The tour of the torch through Greece has already been cut short. (Reuters)

La Liga was suspended on Thursday

F

ive Valencia players and staff are "in good health" after testing positive for coronavirus, the club says.

Valencia and Argentina defender Ezequiel Garay became the first La Liga player to announce a positive test earlier on Sunday.

Spain's La Liga was suspended on Thursday after the Real Madrid squad went into quarantine.

Spain is the second worst-hit country in Europe

after Italy and is set to declare a national lockdown on Monday.

"It is clear I have started 2020 with bad luck," Garay, 33, wrote on Instagram.

"I am very well and must obey health authorities and stay isolated."

A Valencia statement said the affected players and staff were "in their homes in good health and under isolation measures".

"We are confident that with solidarity, responsi-

bility and good spirits we will beat this pandemic," the club added.

In the case involving Real Madrid, a member of their basketball team - who used the same training facilities as the football team - tested positive, leading to the side's quarantine.

Several players in Italy's Serie A have tested positive for the virus, including on-loan Wolves forward Patrick Cutrone.

(BBC Sport)

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Coronavirus: When are suspended competitions aiming to return?

W

ith almost 160,000 confirmed cases of the virus and close to 6,000 deaths, athletes across the globe are waiting to learn when they will return to work.

We take a look at the provisional return dates set out so far.

Basketball

The NBA came to a sudden stop when a Utah Jazz player - later revealed to be Rudy Gobert - tested positive on Wednesday, and league commissioner Adam Silver warned the hiatus would "be most likely at least 30 days".

Cricket

International cricket has been pushed back, but there are no firm dates as things stand for rescheduled matches. England's two-match Test tour of Sri Lanka was called off midway through a warm-up match, while the ODI series between India and South Africa was postponed after the first of three matches was washed out. Australia won an opening ODI against New Zealand behind closed doors, but the remaining two 50-over matches were delayed, along with a threematch Twenty20 series.

There is at least a provisional date for the Indian Premier League to belatedly start: April 15, pushed back from March 29.

Football

European football is at a standstill, with the Champions League among the elite-level competitions suspended. UEFA is set to meet to discuss the future of that tournament and Euro 2020 this week, while FIFA has advised postpone-

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the fifth hole during the first round of The PLAYERS Championship

ments of upcoming international fixtures, for which clubs are no longer required to release their players. The Premier League, LaLiga and Serie A are all paused at least until April 3 although the Bundesliga has only called off one matchweek as things stand, while Ligue 1 is off "until further notice".

Golf

The PGA Tour initially announced a threeweek suspension, with The Players Championship stopped after its opening round. The Masters - won in 2019 by Tiger Woods - was therefore set to mark the Tour's return on April 9, but organisers soon announced the first major of the year would also be postponed.

The RBC Heritage on April 16 is the next scheduled tournament.

Organisers are planning "regular status updates in the coming weeks" amid "a very fluid

Motorsport

The Formula One season is still to start after races in Australia, Bahrain, Vietnam and China were postponed or cancelled. The Dutch Grand Prix on May 3 remains on at this stage, however, while managing director of motorsports Ross Brawn has suggested the calendar could be reshuffled, with races held in August. NASCAR has postponed events in Atlanta and Miami this and next weekend, and all IndyCar Series races through April have been cancelled.

Rugby

Rugby league has largely been able to continue both in England and in Australia, but the same is not true of rugby union.

Six Nations matches were among the first to fall by

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Phone: 223-7230 EXT: 55

the wayside amid the crisis in Italy, with the Azzurri seeing matches against both Ireland and England postponed until later in the year. France versus Ireland was off, too, while Scotland's trip to Wales belatedly followed suit. Club action has ground to a halt, with Super Rugby finally paused this weekend and no return imminent.

Tennis

After Indian Wells and then the Miami Open were cancelled, the ATP Tour announced its suspension up to and including the week of April 20. The WTA Tour preferred to call off individual events, but the schedule is now clear for five weeks.

It was still to make a decision on the European claycourt season. The Fed Cup finals and play-offs - set for mid-April - have been pushed back, meanwhile, with the ITF vowing to address any impact the post-

ponement may have on players' eligibility for Tokyo 2020.

Others

Despite chaos surrounding various sports across the globe, Japan's prime minister Shinzo Abe says the country is still planning for the Olympic Games in Tokyo to go ahead as scheduled in July. The London Marathon and the Boston Marathon will both still go ahead this year, but with revised dates of October 4 and September 14, respectively. The Giro d'Italia will be postponed and a new date for the race will not be announced until at least April 3 when a decree in Italy banning sport ends. The NBA is not the only American competition to be disrupted, meanwhile, with the 2020 MLB season moved back "at least two weeks" from March 26, and the NHL campaign paused indefinitely. (Omnisport)

Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk pledges to take Premier League title to fans

in your area?

on

LA Lakers LeBron James presses during a hustle against Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo

situation that requires constant review, communication, and transparency".

GUYANA TIMES Circulation Department

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MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020

Virgil van Dijk has helped Liverpool to a 25-point lead at the top of the Premier League (EPA)

L

iverpool defender Virgil van Dijk admits he would be "gutted" if the coronavirus crisis prevents fans from watching them win a league title for the first time in 30 years.

The Reds lead the Premier

League by 25 points but football across the country is suspended until 3 April.

The prospect of playing matches without fans has been raised as one of a number of ways to complete the fixture list.

"No one wants to play games without the fans," said Van Dijk, 28.

"If we won it in an empty stadium and the fans weren't there, I'd be gutted for them," the Dutch international told newspapers.

"Obviously, if there are no fans at Anfield, then it will be a bit of a blow.

"Until a decision is made on how we go on from here, then we just have to deal with it. But when it happens, we are still bringing the title to our fans, definitely."

Sport is expected to be subjected to further restrictions next week with Prime Minister Boris Johnson set to announce a blanket ban on major public gatherings.

Uefa will meet on Tuesday to discuss the scheduling of Euro 2020, which is due to begin on 12 June.

The Premier League will then hold a second emergency meeting

on Thursday to discuss potential ways forward in the wake of Uefa making its own plans clear.

On Saturday, Brighton chief executive Paul Barber said it is "hard to imagine" the league resuming in early April given the crisis unfolding on a global scale.

Liverpool need a maximum of two more wins to secure the Premier League and Barber said it would be "incredibly unjust" if they were not to be awarded the title.

In a newspaper column, West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady said declaring the season "null and void" was "the only fair and reasonable thing to do".

On Friday, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said "football matches really aren't important at all" in an emotional message on the club's website where he urged fans to "look out for each other".

(BBC Sport)

22

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CARIFTA Aquatic Sports Green bags 5 as Scorpions Championships postponed beat Hurricanes WICB Regional 4-Day Championships…

D

erval Green grabbed three of the last four Leeward Islands Hurricanes wickets and ended with career-best figures to help Jamaica Scorpions complete an innings and 118 runs win in the 2019-20 West Indies Championship on Sunday.

The long-serving Scorpions pacer ended with 5-75 from 22.1 overs – the first time he has taken five in a first-class innings – and the Hurricanes were bowled out for 183 in their second innings about an hour before lunch on the final day of eighth round matches in the Championship.

Green formalised the result, when he had tail-ender Jeremiah Louis caught at extra cover for 29 from a mistimed pull at a short, rising ball.

The result meant that the Scorpions have now moved into a two-way tie for third with five-time defending champions Guyana Jaguars on 91.8 points.

Starting the day on 134 for six, Hurricanes suffered an early setback, when experienced opener Montcin Hodge was caught behind off Green for the top score of 61, nibbling outside the offstump, after adding just one to his overnight score.

Marquino Mindley trapped West Indies pacer Alzarri Joseph lbw for a duck in the following over, playing across the line, and three overs later, Green had Hayden Walsh Jr caught at

T

Derval Green

first slip for 35 to continue the slide.

Hurricanes were 154 for nine, and Louis indulged himself towards the end before Green cleaned him up to bring the match to a close and the Scorpions complete the season sweep.

On Saturday, leaders Barbados Pride brushed aside the Jaguars by 235 runs to extend their lead

at the top of the table to 43 points, after Trinidad & Tobago Red Force crushed Windward Islands Volcanoes by an innings and 84 runs to move into second on 91.8 points.

Following this round of matches, CWI has suspended the season because of the growing threat of the global coronavirus pandemic.

(CWI)

he Council of the Barbados Aquatic Sports Association (BASA) has announced the postponement of the Carifta 2020 Aquatic Sports Championships which was set to begin April 3 at the Barbados Aquatic Centre in Wildey, Christchurch.

According to BASA, the decision was made to protect the health and wellbeing of athletes, officials, and supporters, bearing in mind the fact that a number of participating countries have announced active cases of

COVID-19.

Several of the countries that were to have participated had previously announced withdrawals.

“We regret the inconvenience and disappointment this decision may have on the athletes who would have been training vigorously for these championships,” read a release from BASA. According to BASA, the organization was particu-

larly disappointed because a number of athletes may have wanted to use the championships to prepare for the Olympics, which for now, is still very much on.

But, BASA explains, there were a number of requests from swimming federations around the region, asking for the event’s postponements and they believe they have to acquiesce.

(Sportsmax)

Gremio players wear masks in on-field protest before Sao Luiz game

Coronavirus: Sri Lanka border closed to UK visitors

S

ri Lanka has closed its border to travellers from the UK, affecting England fans who were still planning to visit the country despite the postponement of the twoTest series.

Even though Joe Root's side arrived home on Sunday, a number of supporters intended to go ahead with holidays.

However, people from the UK, or who have travelled through the UK, will not be allowed into Sri Lanka from midnight local time on Monday.

Some fans are already in Sri Lanka.

Several more were set to depart in the coming days, with the first Test in Galle originally scheduled to have begun on Thursday.

Another, travelling with the official Barmy Army tour group, was held at Colombo's Bandaranaike airport for several hours before being admitted to the country and told he

Gremio players wore masks in the build-up to the match against Sao Luiz but, removed them before the game started (Reuters)

P

Some England fans were in Sri Lanka for the warm-up matches before the scheduled Test series (Getty Images)

would be the last to do so.

"One of our members, who was held at Colombo airport for several hours, has now been allowed in and has informed the Barmy Army that there will be no more flights following from the UK," said Barmy Army managing director Chris Millard.

"We are aware that over 50 of our members are currently in Sri Lanka and several more have travelled over the weekend. Our offi-

cial travel programme still had 20 members wanting to go on the trip as a holiday, even with the cricket cancelled, but their flights have now been cancelled too.

"We are in open communications with Sri Lanka Cricket, tour operators and airlines to try to help our members get home safely.

If anyone is out there and wants to speak to us, feel free to get in touch." (BBC Sport)

layers from Brazilian club Gremio took to the field wearing masks on Sunday in protest at having to play a football match as fears over coronavirus grow in the South American nation.

The players, led by boss Renato Portaluppi, walked out of the tunnel and lined up before the game against Sao Luiz wearing the masks.

"This protest by the players makes implicit our support for the championship to be halted - life must take precedence," said Paulo Luz, Gremio's director of football.

No spectators were allowed into the Gremio Arena for the Gaucho state championship match, which Gremio won 3-2, with the masks not worn during the game.

After the game. Portaluppi said: "The whole world has stopped - shouldn't Brazilian football stop as well? That's our message and I hope they listen. We hope that good sense will prevail."

The protest comes as players and clubs

across South America are starting to complain at decisions by footballing authorities to order games to be played, but behind closed doors.

Flamengo coach Jorge Jesus appealed for football to be halted, saying players needed to be protected because "they are not super-human".

Later on Sunday, the Brazilian Football Confederation suspended all national competitions, but said it was up to local federations to decide whether to halt the state championships.

In Argentina, River Plate refused to play their Superliga Cup tie against Atletico Tucuman on Saturday. The Buenos Aires club closed their stadium, leaving match officials and a delegation from Atletico outside the ground.

Earlier on Sunday, former England captain Wayne Rooney accused the British government and football authorities of treating footballers "like guinea pigs". (BBC Sport)

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020

23

CWI/PCL Regional 4-Day Tournament…

Johnson calls for use of white sight-screens in pink-ball affairs

By Brandon Corlette

G

uyana Jaguars have suffered one of their biggest defeats in the modern era of the West Indies Regional 4-Day Championships. After that 236-run defeat against the Barbados Pride, Jaguars captain Leon Johnson is once more calling for the use of white sight-screens in day/night pink ball matches.

"I think sighting at night, especially in the field, it was a bit difficult; we put down a couple in the first evening. The batting in the day was much easier. Obviously, we did not bat much in the night, but I think (that), generally, in the last four-five seasons, generally, it's been difficult to pick up the ball in the night,” Johnson explained.

“I've always asked the board to use the white sight-screens in the game, but they keep using the black. (I make these requests) since the white is being used in Test cricket to give you a better sighting of the ball," Johnson posited.

The Jaguars have dropped down the points table to third position with 91.8 points, while the Pride are flying high with 134.8 points.

Jaguars displayed ordinary batting in conditions made testing by Test Shimron seamers.

Hetmyer In the recent match in

which the Jaguars were bowled out for 55 and 94, Johnson reflected on their performance with the bat, and described same as woeful.

innings, so it was a woeful showing with the bat. You must give credit to Jason (Holder) and Kemar (Roach) for the

Johnson bats during the Pride match

"(It was) not the best of performance with the bat. We were not able to put up 100 in either of the

way they bowled, especially in the first innings. Having said that, I think our bowlers did a good job bowling out Barbados for 174 and

206. We just let ourselves down with the ball, and in the field, where we put down about four catches in the game," Johnson explained.

As five-time defending champions, the Jaguars have not converted those 15 half-centuries into centuries. Only two centuries were scored by the Jaguars this season, and those came in one match. Johnson himself scored one while Christopher Barnwell scored the other. Johnson noted that this is a worrying factor.

"We had set our goal to score a century a game. We got couple well of half-centuries this season, and the conversion has not been great," Johnson added.

Captain Johnson has been leading from the front. In the batting department, he has scored the most runs for the team with 472, which includes one big century of 189 not out and two half-centuries. Barnwell is the next highest runs-scorer with 435 runs, and Vishaul Singh follows in that order with 381 runs.

With the Regional 4-Day season being suspended, Jaguars will have time to ponder on the remaining two rounds. The title for the fivetime defending champions seems Captain Leon far from their reach, unless Pride Johnson suffer in their final two rounds (Brandon Corlette and Jaguars pull off convincing photos) wins.

Rutherford seeking to seize opportunities in stint with Mumbai Indians

By Brandon Corlette

W

and

Jemima Holmes

est Indies and Guyana’s explosive T20 batsman Sherfane Rutherford will rock the Mumbai Indians’ outfit when the Indian Premier League (IPL) eventually gets underway.

Expecting to depart Guyana’s shores shortly to prepare for the IPL, Rutherford spoke with this daily publication and noted that he anticipates learning a lot from some of the best players in the world.

"I want to thank God for the opportunity,” he declared. “As we know, Mumbai Indians is one of the best IPL teams. For me, it's going to be fun, even though it is a power-packed team. I think I am going to learn from the best in the world, and this will be a boost for me, where I can come back and add something to my game," Rutherford said.

He was traded from the Delhi Capitals, and is now with the defending champions Mumbai Indians’ team, the most successful franchise in the history of IPL. Rutherford highlighted that when given the opportunity to play, he would be aiming to make it count, since there are a lot of good players in the team.

Asked about the difficulties he might encounter in finding his place and rhythm in the team, he said, "That's out of my control, but I will be aiming to make every opportunity count. (There are) a lot of good players in the team, and most likely, with a team like that, every opportunity counts; so it's all about the opportunity and making the best use of it," he added.

This 21-year-old left-handed batsman has been putting in the ‘hard yards’, training dayin day- out, but he noted that the preparation process has been smooth.

"I've been doing some work with my trainer,

and I think it's coming along well. I'm feeling good, so I think it's just (about) performing now. Even though I am not playing a lot of cricket, the confidence is there, and I will look to go enjoy it," Rutherford highlighted.

Speaking about leading the Rutherford Renegades in the Golden Republic T20 Bash to a win over their counterparts the Hetmyer Hurricanes, Rutherford noted that leading the team was a boost for him. He explained that that was his first experience captaining, and he enjoyed every bit of it.

"I'll be looking to put myself to lead teams at the local level, and learn from it,” he disclosed.

With Mumbai Indians being a star-studded team comprising of Rohit Sharma and co, Rutherford disclosed that he is looking forward to partnering India's star all-rounder Hardik Pandya.

He has participated in 39 T20 International matches, six of which have been for the West Indies, and he has already played T20 cricket on the global stage for teams that include the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Delhi Capitals and Sylhet Thunder. Since his IPL debut against Kings XI Punjab in April 2019, Rutherford has played seven matches and has registered a strike rate of 135, while his overall strike rate in all T20s sits at 140.

Mumbai Indians Final squad: Rohit Sharma, Sherfane Rutherford, Suryakumar Yadav, Anmolpreet Singh, Chris Lynn, Saurabh Tiwary, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga, Mitchell McClenaghan, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult, Mohsin Khan, Prince Balwant Rai Singh, Digvijay Deshmukh, Hardik Pandya, Jayant Yadav, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Anukul Roy, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Ishan Kishan, Quinton de Kock, and Aditya Tare.

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020

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

guyanatimesgy.com

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CWI/PCL Regional 4-Day tournament...

Johnson calls for use of white sight-screens in pink-ball affairs WICB Regional 4-Day Championships…

Rutherford seeking to seize opportunities in stint with Mumbai Indians Page 23

Green bags 5 as Scorpions beat Hurricanes Page 22

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