All Gov’t Ministers to work remotely after Foreign Minister test positive for COVID – 19

With one Minister of the Irfaan Ali Government testing positive for COVID – 19, the President has asked all his Ministers to work remotely until systems can be put in place to ensure that the Government’s work is done safely and transparently.

All Ministers have also been instructed to undergo PCR COVID – 19 testing as a precautionary method.

“This pandemic has no barriers and as such we have to continue to take the necessary precautions,” President Ali said in a briefing released on the Office of the President’s Facebook page Wednesday.

The newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd received his positive results for COVID – 19 on Wednesday.

The condition was revealed by President Irfaan Ali Wednesday afternoon, saying it was a matter of great importance nationally.

The President informed that Minister Todd is now in isolation and has been asked to inform all persons who he came into contact with so as to facilitate contact tracing and testing.

Minister Todd first raised an alarm after he realized that he had come into contact with someone who has tested positive for the deadly virus and he decided to take the COVID – test which came back positive.

Todd was sworn in as the Minister on August 5 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre; he has since met with the President and other members of the Government and held familiarisation meetings with staff of the Foreign Ministry.

On Sunday last, he held a joint press conference at State House with the Foreign Minister of Suriname Albert Ramdin and other officials of the Surinamese delegation that visited Guyana for the inauguration ceremony of President Ali.

He also met with the President of Suriname.

He also had several meetings, including a courtesy call from United States Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch.

He also attended the inauguration of President Ali on Saturday where hundreds of persons were in attendance at the National Cultural Centre.

Ali urged all of Guyana to ensure they continue to protect themselves from the Coronavirus which has already killed more than 20 persons here and infected over 600.

“Wear your mask especially when out in public places and adhere to social distancing… this is a time when all of us must come together, must work together to ensure the country and citizens remain safe,” the President added.