“If you want to stay alive, now is the time to stop partying” – Prime Minister Phillips

Prime Minister and head of the National COVID-19 Task Force, Mark Phillips has called on Guyanese to adhere to all the COVID-19 guidelines in an effort to combat the spread of the deadly disease.

He made the statement during a press conference on Thursday while addressing the new measures, put in place by the Government.

The Prime Minister noted that the move to relax the national Covid-19 curfew is not an opportunity for persons to disregard safety protocols as it relates to the pandemic.

“We have not reduced or relaxed the measures for anyone to go out there and party and socialize and feel more relaxed,” he noted.

As of October 1, the new curfew is from 21:00h to 04:00h. It was previously from 18:00h to 06:00h.

According to Phillips, the curfew was relaxed in the interest of providing a conducive environment for persons who have to work.

“Whether you are a farmer, whether you are a fisherman, and you have to get up early and get out to sea or get your goods to the market, so you can start selling at 6 am, that is the reason why we have changed the timing…not for people to have longer hours to party. This is serious business and if you want to stay alive, now is the time to stop partying,” the Prime Minister posited.

With the change in the national curfew, certain businesses like gas stations and supermarkets can now operate up to 20:00h.

Additionally, food services shall be opened only for delivery, drive-thru, curbside pickup and take away from 04:00h to 20:00h.

Gyms, bars and nightclubs are to remain closed.