BCB puts season on hold over COVID-19 fears

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has put its 2021 season on hold, following the rising number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the country.

In a Facebook post, the BCB President Hilbert Foster appealed to his fellow countrymen and women to get serious, as the health situation is one of concern.

“Our country is not very large and we cannot afford for our COVID-19 crisis to get worse. Over the last week, the situation has gotten worse, yet most of us are carrying on as if COVID is not real,” Foster stated.

“My dear friends, COVID is very real and it is killing our fellow countrymen at an alarming rate. The Berbice Cricket Board has place on hold our 2021 season as we review the situation as the health of our officials and players is our main concern. Clubs across Berbice are hereby advice to desist from arranging fun matches against each other and all practice sessions should also be placed on hold.”

The BCB season had resumed in early February and since then the Board has been able to complete 19 finals. There are still another four to be held from the suspended 2019 season.

Additionally, the BCB has received sponsorship commitment for over 20 competitions to be held later this year.

Foster called for more rigid enforcement of the National COVID-19 protocols, especially against large gatherings.

“Please people, wear a mask, practice social distance and please, please avoid rum shops, parties and large crowds at this moment. A time would come when life would return to normal, but now is not the time for that,” the BCB head urged.

Guyana’s COVID-19 death toll reached 250 on Wednesday with the passing of a 57-year-old woman from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). On Wednesday, the country recorded 81 new COVID-19 cases from 600 tests, taking the overall number of confirmed cases to 10,718.

Meanwhile, the Big Man Cricket tournament has also been postponed until further notice, as the organisers are concerned about the rising number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Guyana.