With many Guyanese still going about their daily lives and ignoring calls for less social interaction because of the coronavirus, the United Nations office in Guyana has now called on the Guyana Government to put more systems in place to deter social gatherings.

In a statement this afternoon, the UN said social gatherings and movements of people are the biggest risk in the spread of COVID-19. 

The international body said it is concerned that social gatherings are continuing in Guyana despite public advisories discouraging social gatherings.

Reinforcing the advice from PAHO/WHO Representative in Guyana Dr. William Adu-Krow, the United Nations (UN) said the Government needs to urgently introduce more stringent measures to stem COVID-19.

Those efforts should include work-from-home in public and private institutions except for essential services and limiting people’s movements to essential errands. 

The UN reminded that Guyana is not insulated from the pandemic and even with the five cases and one death, there is no room for complacency as there continues to be the rapid acceleration from low numbers in many countries.

The UN said prevention is critical and urgent.

The United Nations noted that Guyana has taken several important steps in the fight against the coronavirus. It has commended health workers who continue to be on the frontline in the fight.

“We commend the health workers who are working around the clock in a high-stress and high-risk environment to respond to the outbreak. We have to protect the physical and mental health of these health workers and to keep the caseload manageable by stemming the spread.  Prevention is critical”, the statement said.

The UN System said it stands ready to provide advice and assistance in elaborating and implementing a national response plan that covers the health sector and other socio-economic sectors to help citizens cope with the impact of the COVID-19 response and in particular to protect the most vulnerable.  This will build on the critical ongoing support from PAHO/WHO and other UN agencies.        

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