Call for stiffer penalties for COVID-19 regulation breaches

A REGIONAL DEMOCRATIC COUNCIL (RDC) OFFICIAL IS CALLING FOR
STIFFER PENALTIES for breaching the COVID-19 regulations implemented to help curb the
spread of the deadly pandemic.
Regional Vice Chairman of Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo (Region Nine,) Mr. Bertie Xavier
wants the National Taskforce and the security forces to implement stronger punitive measures
against COVID-19 lawbreakers.
However, the Task and security forces will be hard-pressed to grant Xavier his wishes because
penalties for offences against the regulations were forced to be resurrected under the 87-year-old
Public Health Ordinance Act, Section 152 because of the dissolution of Parliament at the time of
the outbreak of the virus in Guyana early last ear.
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Mohabir Anil Nandlall complained two
months ago that the Taskforce is hamstrung by the antiquated piece of surviving British-inspired
legislation.

“Penalties for offences under the ordinance are all out of sync with reality and there are other
components of the law which are of historical value and of no practical relevance,” Nandlall had
noted.

Under the 1934 emergency measures, anyone breaching Section 152 of the Public Health
Ordinance was liable on summary conviction to the penalty provided under that section. The fine
was $50 or, failing to pay the fine, an imprisonment with or without hard labour for up to two
months.

According to the 1934 Ordinance, repeat offenders shall be liable to a further penalty of up to
$10 for everyday which the offence continues, and in default of payment, to imprisonment, for
any period not exceeding six months.

These are highly unlikely to be deterrents for Guyanese or visitors.
Xavier told www.aroundtheregions.com a multitude of Brazilians indulge in illegal cross-border
activities in Guyana facilitated by complicit local minibus drivers.
“The sad thing is that several of the bus drivers know that they are transporting the illegal
Brazilians, but it seems as though they don’t care despite the increasing number of COVID
cases. We are calling on the National Taskforce, including the police force, to enforce the
regulations. This will ensure that these buses and others flouting the regulations can be stopped,”
Xavier said.
He wants them dragged before the courts and penalised with hefty fines for their irresponsible
actions.
“I don’t know how you will do it, but something has to be put in place as not only the lives of us
in the Region are at great risk, but persons from other Regions including Georgetown,” he
reminded.
The Regional VC said that a recent emergency meeting tackled a number of issues and
participants pressed the Joint Service and Task Force teams to step-up their actions.
“We had an emergency meeting with the GDF and the joint services not too long ago and we
explained our plight as we are desperately seeking their help and they have pledged to work
together because this nonsense continues,” he told this media house in an exclusive.
“Further what we are seeing a lot of now is that there are persons coming from Brazil, where
they have set up mobile shops and mobile restaurant and are selling food, vegetables and other
household items and this is placing all of the residents of Region Nine at a higher risk (for
contracting the deadly COVID-19 virus). This is one of the greatest challenges that we have that
needs to be addressed ASAP,” Vice Chairman Xavier reiterated.
He warned unless stricter measures are implemented and enforced, the pandemic can get out of
control here and the country suffer like India and in certain parts of Brazil.

“Our population is affected severely and it doesn’t seem to bother some people and that is the
situation that we are faced with,” Xavier complained.
Nevertheless, Xavier admitted the Task Force and Joint Services members, RDC officials and
the Region Nine Municipality “have done their best” under very trying circumstances.
“It takes a lot of effort to really curb and stand up to these continuous activities that are taking
place,” the top Region Nine figure said.
Xavier’s passion on the issue is born from personal adversity which he wants the rest of the
24,200 residents’ escape.
He and his entire household were infected with COVID-19.
“We are all concerned as we are not having the same (strain of the) COVID that we had in
March of last year. It could very well be a variant that is creeping in, because many of the
patients that I have spoken to are experiencing symptoms of a different nature. I would
have had my own encounter last year and the experiences that they have is totally different
from what I had. The signs now are so different from those (of us) that were infected last
year including me and several family members,” Xavier disclosed.