As the country continues to grapple with the deadly Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Government is set to shift its measures going ahead. These measures will facilitate the vaccination of the majority of the population to ensure that all sectors are reopening.
At the same, the government is taking into consideration the rights of folks who refuse to take the vaccines.
This is according to President Irfaan Ali who while being questioned by the press on the vaccines being mandatory, insisted that the pandemic is no joke and that tougher measures have to be put in place to ensure the safety of the people.
But at the same time, the Government will ensure that right to not take the vaccine.
“This is pandemic, this is not a joke, and you have to get tough sometimes. I have seen some of the guidelines from the private sector. Now, we all have rights and responsibilities.
“But if my friend took the vaccines to protect himself and his family and someone decide they will not take the vaccines, what give that person the right to put my friend at risk?
“So, whatever measures we bring in place has to be a measure that brings balance to the equation, so that the responsible act that my friend made by taking the vaccines is not subjected to the other person’s irresponsibility,” President Ali insisted.
That equation according to the Head of State will come in a manner in which the reopening of the country will only facilitate the granting of those who are fully vaccinated.
The President noted that there are requests to open cinemas, for persons fully vaccinated. Those wanting to travel to Guyana must be fully vaccinated.
The President said that we simply cannot continue to operate in a current manner and with vaccines being seen as the way out then we have to focus on getting most people vaccinated.
“If we don’t the COVID-19 Pandemic will continue to destroy our livelihood.”
According to the Minister of Health, Guyana by the end of the year will be focusing on getting 80-85% of persons fully vaccinated in order to have herd immunity.
However, with close to 130,000 persons being fully vaccinated at this time that accounts for about 25%. The Ministry maintains that there is a far way to go.
