48 imported COVID cases since reopening of airports

Since the reopening of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and the Eugene F. Correia International Airport on October 12, 2020, there have been 48 recorded imported cases of COVID-19, Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony revealed on Wednesday.

Dr Anthony, who was speaking during the daily COVID-19 update, said that no imported cases were reported since the resumption of the ferry service between Moleson Creek on the Corentyne and South Drain, Suriname on February 21, 2021.

“Because of the protocols we have, if exceeding three days, we do the retesting here and actually when we did the retests, we have found that those persons were positive and we have taken the relevant steps to isolate them. So, since reopening the airports to international travel, we have detected 48 cases,” Dr Anthony said.

Passengers, who provide a negative PCR COVID-19 test which was done within four to seven days upon their arrival here, have to undergo another test at the airports when they land. The passengers are required to isolate themselves at home until they receive their results.

The ministry provides facilities for persons who cannot isolate or quarantine at home. Similarly, every passenger using the Guyana/Suriname ferry service must have a negative PCR test which must be taken within 72 hours of travel. This service only operates on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays until further notice.

Only Guyanese and Surinamese are being allowed to utilise this facility. Dr Anthony noted that due to the strict measures in place, there have been no positive COVID cases.