Guyana/Suriname ferry to resume on December 12

After months of closure due to COVID-19, the ferry service between Guyana and Suriname will resume on December 12, 2020. This was revealed in an updated COVID-19 Gazetted Order published on Monday.

“The Moleson Creek Crossing shall be opened from the 12^th December, 2020 to facilitate travel between Guyana and Suriname. All operators and passengers shall comply with any port health measures issued by the Ministry of Health,” the Order stated.

What now needs to happen is for Guyana and Suriname to decide on which vessel will be used since the MV Canawaiwa is inoperable.

The authorities in Region Six, since the beginning of the pandemic in March, were faced with illegal border crossings between Guyana and Suriname. Without the ferry service, the alternative is using the ‘back track’ route to illegally enter and leave Guyana.

But a recent announcement by the Presidents of Suriname and Guyana to provide a temporary solution to resume the MV Canawaima ferry service, was welcomed by both countries.

The vessel which needs rehabilitation works will be taken to dry dock while the public and private sectors in both countries will be called upon to assist with the temporary solution.

Since the reopening of Guyana’s two international airports –  the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and the Eugene F. Correia International Airport – to commercial flights on October 12, a total of 11 persons have tested positive for COVID-19 upon their arrival.