Persons travelling from Suriname have to produce negative PCR COVID-19 test

Passengers travelling from Suriname to Guyana via the Moleson Creek port from December 12 will be required to produce a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test, which was done within 72hrs of arrival here.

“Our guidelines are fairly stringent, we require a PCR within 72 hours and then you’ll be allowed to go without quarantine. If that PCR is beyond 72 hours or within seven days, then you’ll have to do a second PCR test upon arrival in Guyana,” Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony revealed on Friday during his daily COVID-19 update.

Dr Anthony said he has been working with his Surinamese counterpart, Minister of Public Health, Dr Amar Ramadhin, to develop an agreement ahead of the reopening of the ferry service.

“…we have been working with the Surinamese authority to ensure we can synchronise our guidelines…we are currently wrapping up those discussions,” Dr Anthony said.

Meanwhile, for passengers travelling to Suriname, they too will have to produce a negative PCR test and will have to quarantine for 14 days.

The ferry service, which is the main transportation between the neighbouring countries, was suspended on March 14 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and mechanical issues experienced by the Canawaima Ferry.

During a recent visit to Suriname by President Irfaan Ali, it was announced that a temporary solution will be put in place to resume the ferry service.

It was later announced in Guyana’s updated COVID-19 guidelines for December that the ferry service will resume on December 12.

The News Room recently reported that the M.B Sandaka will be used as the replacement vessel for the MV Canawaima.

Surinamese media, Waterkant Nieuws has reported that approximately 600 Cubans are awaiting the resumption of the service to travel to Guyana.