The national curfew from 12:30am to 5:00am, which was gazetted early this morning, could begin at an even earlier time, according to Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn.

He said there is a review taking place that could see the curfew starting as early as 10pm. He said a decision has not yet been made on the length of the curfew period.

“The curfew, it might start earlier tonight, and we will review how late or early in the morning it will go to. It can start as early as 10, we are reviewing the matter at the moment,” Minister Benn said.

The Minister was out in the streets this morning along with some members of the joint services, assisting int he clearing of some roadways that were blocked during last night’s fiery protests.

The current curfew order states that there shall be no public meetings, gatherings, and assemblies of persons, procession or marches in any public space during the hours of 12:30am and 5:00am.

The order came following a night that saw fires being set to major roadways in several parts of the country and some businesses in Georgetown being looted, with robberies also being reported.

Minister Benn said the Ministry of Home has been closely monitoring the situation, as the Guyana Police Force with the backing of the Guyana Fire Service takes steps to clear all roadways of debris, allowing for free movement.

“We have been up all night monitoring the situation to try to see where we need to send help and support and bring some law and order. Now, we are trying to go around to the little areas particularly in the city to show presence, and to try to encourage people to come back to some level of orderliness and lawful behavior,” he said.

Minister Benn said the Ministry of Home Affairs will continue to monitor the situation on the ground in an effort to prevent a reoccurrence. He said he is not fully satisfied as yet with everything being returned to a state of normalcy.

“There is no excuse for the behavior. The president went, President Irfaan Ali went, while people were fairly upset at the situation which was unfolding, he met with the family. I believe some support was provided to the family. There were assurances not only to have an early autopsy but at the request of the family they agreed to bring in foreign doctors to do the autopsy and to make sure that they get the forensic right, all of that was done. There was no excuse for the behavior which unfolded particularly on social media. Those social media posts are still online, still up and have been recorded, and as a result of some of those posts more people will be arrested for creating public mischief, terror,” he said.

Benn said the violent and fiery protests, robberies and looting of business were encouraged either “for criminal behavior” or “political expediency or opportunism.”

He said it is important for Guyana to return to a state of normalcy, where citizens, in particular women and children, can feel safe.

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