Nine arrested at Vergenoegen bar for breaching COVID-19 curfew

Police on Saturday night arrested nine persons in Region Three (Essequibo Islands – West Demerara) for breaching the national 10:30pm to 4am COVID-19 curfew.

Among those arrested are two females. Police in a statement said they were arrested between 10:40pm on Saturday and 12:40am on Sunday.

According to the Regional Commander, Senior Superintendent Errol Watts, the persons arrested were at the time consuming alcohol in front of a popular beer garden on the Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo public road.

A COVID-19 enforcement exercise was carried out in the region by Captain Williams from the National Task Force, along with seven other Guyana Defence Force ranks in conjunction with ranks from the police force.

Police said scores of persons have been arrested so far in Region Three during a series of enforcement exercises. Commander Watts said these exercises will continue as part of a committed effort to ensure that the safety protocols are adhered to and there is no breach of the curfew.

Guyana on Saturday recorded 86 new COVID-19 cases from 548 tests, taking the overall number of confirmed cases to 11, 044.

The country is now in a third-wave of the pandemic with the virus attacking the younger population and making them sicker. To date, 252 have died.