Stabroek News ePaper

Strict COVID measures in place for WI vs Pakistan cricket matches – Anthony:

Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony last week stated that a number of strict measures, including the requirement that those in attendance show proof of being fully vaccinated, are in place to ensure the upcoming West Indies versus Pakistan T20 international matches being hosted here are safe. During his daily COVID-19 update, Anthony stated that a number of discussions were held among the various boards and regulatory authorities before the green light was given. He said that talks were held with the Guyana Cricket Board, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the National COVID-19 Task Force and Cricket West Indies. Those discussions, he said, looked at how those matches can be hosted successfully with fans in attendance. “So we have decided that we’re gonna do a couple of things to make sure that people are safe. The first one is to make sure that those who would be attending the matches are fully vaccinated,” he said. Additionally, he noted that the COVID-19 Task Force along with the Guyana Cricket Board visited the National Stadium and mapped out pathways for fans who would be coming in, which includes multiple checkpoints. “So there’s a very elaborate process that a fan coming to watch these matches would have to go through. In terms of when you’re coming to the stadium, you’re required to show proof that you have been vaccinated,” he said while adding that this means persons will have to not only produce their vaccination cards but their identification cards to go with it. He mentioned that even if persons have tickets, they will not be allowed to enter the stadium if they do not present proof of vaccination. In addition to that, the minister said that gates would be open early so as to prevent congregating even as there will be multiple entry points. Patrons will be required to

Education

Teachers’ union not backing reopening of schools until safety protocols agreed: While President Irfaan Ali has declared that schools will reopen in September, a mere five weeks away, the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) has said it cannot support the move until clear safety protocols are agreed with the union for the protection of both teachers and learners. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event at State House recently, Ali explained that the medium to long term impact of COVID-19 is likely to be felt in the education system and he expressed concern about the number of children who have left the school system since the pandemic forced schools to close their doors. “We have to get back to school. We have to put measures in place. Teachers have to be vaccinated and [the government] has to create conditions to ensure that we get back to school,” Ali declared. He went on to explain that efforts are underway to secure vaccination for students ages 12 to 18, while stressing that once Guyana is able to secure doses of Pfizer vaccines these will be administered only to children. These statements echo a previous commitment by Ali which was repeated by Minister Priya Manickchand during a visit to Linden last week. During that visit Manickchand pleaded with parents to take the vaccine and allow their children to be vaccinated once the Pfizer vaccine is available. “If you don’t take this vaccine, I can’t open schools and if we don’t open schools your children will suffer. All these dreams we had of what they will be when they grow up will be affected. It is one of the realities of the times we’re living. You are their only shield,” she said of adult vaccination.GTU President Mark Lyte told Sunday Stabroek that a Guyana with herd immunity is the goal but in the absence of that ideal the union remains concerned about teachers and students.

In the courts

Three discharged over murder of Tain woman: Oliver Permaul, Andre James and Rohan Johnson were last week discharged over the 2017 murder of Tain mother Leilawatie Mohamed, after High Court Judge Jo-Ann Barlow found no evidence against them. The judge noted that there was no evidence against Permaul and that the alleged caution statement which police investigators said they got from James and Johnson—had not been freely and voluntarily obtained and were therefore deemed inadmissible. The judge would later uphold no-case submissions which had been made on behalf of the accused by their respective attorneys. Justice Barlow found that former Inspector of Police Dexter Thornton and Lance Corporal Emanuel Davidson had not been frank with the Court and did not disclose the full circumstances as to the truth of the taking of the statement. “The Court did not find Thornton to be truthful and credible. He was less than candid. He left many questions unanswered,” the Judge said. Following the judge’s pronouncements, Prosecutor Abigail Gibbs said that the state would close its case, as the written and oral caution statements were the sole evidence on which it was relying against James and Johnson.

Man jailed for sexually assaulting city cop, postwoman: Jason Yarris was last Monday sentenced to two years in prison on two separate charges of sexual assault. Yarris, of Bent Street, Werk-enRust, Georgetown, was sentenced by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in a Georgetown court. He pleaded guilty to a charge that on December 7, 2020, while at Water Street, he sexually assaulted a city policewoman by grabbing one of her breasts. The facts stated that the victim was on duty when Yarris walked up to her and grabbed her before walking away. The matter was reported and Yarris was arrested. Yarris was further found guilty of a similar offence committed in September. The charge stated that on September 24, 2020, while in the vicinity of Benn Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, Yarris sexually assaulted a postwoman by touching her buttocks without her consent. He is also accused of attempting to grab the postwoman’s breasts. The court prosecutor’s case was that the woman was delivering mail at Bent and John streets, Werk-enRust, Georgetown. However, after she entered Yarris’s premises, he approached her from behind and pulled her bicycle. The woman pulled her bicycle back from Yarris, after which he grabbed her buttocks and walked away. As the woman continued delivering her mail, Yarris, while standing at the entrance, stretched out his hands in an attempt to grab her breasts as she was leaving his yard. The woman, who became afraid, began shouting and this caused neighbours to go to her rescue. The assault was reported to the police and Yarris was arrested. He was sentenced to two years in prison for the offences

GUYANA’S OIL AND GAS SECTOR:

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