Second phase of reopening begins tomorrow – Task Force

-curfew to remain in effect

The second phase of Guyana’s reopening process is expected to commence tomorrow even as the nationwide 6am to 6pm curfew will remain in effect.

The National COVID-19 Task Force made the announcement in a media release as it stated that the current phase (Phase One) of the six-phase reopening process will continue until Friday.

It noted that for Phase Two, allowances and measures which were allowed from the first phase will be maintained while the manufacturing sector and public sector construction along with medical schools will now be allowed to operate, however, only during non-curfew hours.

The first phase of the reopening plan was announced on June 17 which allowed food establishments including street vendors to operate but only for takeout and delivery services between non-curfew hours. That first phase also allowed persons to have a 90-minute daily exercise in public spaces.

Initially it was noted that Phase One was expected to be monitored for at least two weeks to observe the impact of the transition. The movement to the different phases was expected to be contingent on little to no change in Guyana’s COVID-19 status, however, since the implementation of the first phase there has been a steady increase with Guyana recording 65 cases between June 18 and yesterday.

The COVID-19 lockdown began on April 3 this year. After a month it was extended to June 3. It was then extended by a further two weeks which then led into the first phase of reopening.