December 23, 2024

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Guyana ready to host West Indies/Pakistan T20 matches

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr Frank Anthony

Guyana has adequate safety measure in place to host the West Indies/Pakistan T20 cricket
matches over the weekend at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, Health Minister, Dr.
Frank Anthony said.
Discussions among officials of the Guyana Cricket Board, the Ministry of Culture Youth and
Sport and the National COVID-19 Task Force and with guidance from the International Cricket
Council (ICC) and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) have boosted Anthony’s confidence in
preventing the matches being super spreaders of the deadly virus which has so far killed more
than 4 million globally and 530 locals.
“All of those discussions we were looking at how we can post these matches successfully, as
well as to have a balance in getting maybe some fans who would like to attend these matches and
so we have decided that we are going to do a couple of things to make sure that people are safe,”
Dr. Anthony assured.
According to Anthony, 40 per cent of the National Stadium’s capacity will be allowed to attend
the matches, but all must be fully immunised against COVID-19.
This means attendees must have had “both doses of the vaccine and after the second dose, two
weeks would have elapsed…which means that you will have adequate antibodies in your system
to protect you against COVID,” Anthony, a medical doctor, explained.
The Task Force and the local Cricket Board have worked out vital logistics for attending the
weekend cricket matches.
“So, there’s a very elaborate process that a fan coming to watch these matches would have to go
through: you are required to show proof that you have been vaccinated, which would mean that
you will have to produce your vaccination card, and to verify that you are that person, you will
also have to produce your ID card,” the minister explained.

“Even if you have a ticket, and you don't have your vaccination card to prove that you’re fully
vaccinated, you will not be allowed into the stadium,” Anthony insisted.
The stadium will be open much earlier to facilitate the verification process.
Meanwhile, Minister Anthony revealed further that COVID-19 task force officials will be
monitoring the seating arrangements, which support social distancing protocols.
Additionally, there will be no concession stands in operation, to avoid overcrowding at any
time.