Residents of Santa Rosa in the Moruca sub-district, Region One have taken to the streets in defiance of a Government-imposed lockdown which took effect on Saturday, July 4.
The National Covid-19 Task Force (NCTF) along with the Ministry of Public Health moved to impose the lockdown in response to an alarming increase in positive cases of COVID-19 in the village.
But residents are not pleased with the new measures in place and are protesting what they now consider harsh restriction measures which have the ability to severely impact livelihood.
The lockdown will last for two weeks as COVID-19 cases increased to over 70 in Santa Rosa which is now deemed the new COVID-19 hotspot.
The residents were given notice of the complete lockdown to allow them to secure their necessities.
The numbers prompted the Ministry to announce emergency measures to stem the further spread of COVID-19 in those areas.
Santa Rosa is the most populated indigenous village in Guyana with approximately 12,000 residents.
The community recorded its first case on May 25. Subsequently, the Ministry of Public Health confirmed its first community transmission in Guyana.
Those who have tested positive include Police officers, health workers and teachers.
