E-testing for CSEC, CAPE 2020 -provisions to be made for every student

With COVID-19 concerns on the front burner, the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) has announced that it will be utilising its e-testing modality for the administration of CSEC and CAPE this year.

The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Dr. Wayne Wesley has noted that this method will reduce the administrative processing time of the examinations allowing for the marking and releasing of examination results.

The measure will also ensure the timely presentation of grades in August.

Citing concerns about matriculation to higher education and employment, members of the Barbados-based council announced on Thursday during a media briefing that the examinations previously scheduled for May/June 2020 will now be held in July.

Allowances will be made for any developments of COVID-19.

The e-testing modality will be done both online and offline. The Caribbean Examinations Council is currently working with all the Ministries of Education in the Caribbean Region to arrange logistics and to ensure all students will have access to electronic devices to sit their examinations.

Meanwhile, parents, teachers, and students can access the CXC learning hub free of cost. The learning hub is a single access point to multiple resources that supports the education of candidates.  The hub can be found at learninghub.cxc.org.

CXC will continue to monitor the emerging situation, the health, and wellbeing of all candidates and academic staff.

Previously, School-Based Assessments (SBAs) and Internal Assessments (IAs) were due for submission on April 30 and May 31 respectively. The deadlines for submission have now been extended for a further month.

Director of operations, Nicole Manning explained that the examinations council hopes to create hope and instill confidence in the management of the situation.

Guyana’s airports remain close to International Flights

Guyana’s two main airports; the Cheddi Jagan International Airport at Timehri and the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, located at Ogle, will remain closed to incoming international flights, except for technical stops for aircraft that require fuel, and those that are specially authorized.

This is according to the National COVID-19 Task Force, via a media release on Thursday.

“Specially authorized flights will only be considered in extreme humanitarian and emergency cases,” the release stated.

It was also indicated that outgoing cargo flights and medivac flights will continue to be permitted.

The Task Force had granted permission for a special flight on March 25, to repatriate a group of Guyanese stranded in Barbados. It was agreed that upon return to Guyana the group would submit themselves to a mandatory 14-day quarantine period at a government facility

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority on Tuesday, March 17, announced that both airports will be closed to all international flights for 14 days from midnight (local time), Wednesday, March 18, to prevent imported cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The NCTF held a virtual meeting earlier on Thursday as it continues to practice social distancing.

Linden goes into lockdown from Saturday; penalties for persons who disobey

The Linden Mayor and Town Council has implemented a regional curfew beginning Saturday, March 28, as it joins the national effort to mitigate the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

A release from the municipality on Thursday stated that all businesses must be closed from 6pm to 6am, except for supermarkets and pharmacies who were given a 7pm to 6am curfew.

These restrictions will be introduced at Ituni, Kwakwani, Coomaka, 47 Mile, 58 Mile, Anarika, Rockstone and all population centres in Upper Demerara-Berbice district.

Only essential workers including nurses and police officers will be allowed on the streets beyond 8pm. Other residents must be indoors from 8pm to 6am.

Anyone found disobeying these orders can be detained by law enforcement officers.

Additionally, a Regional Health Emergency Committee (RHEC) was established. The team includes, among others, the Regional Executive Officer, Deputy Regional Executive Officer and the disciplined services.

Subcommittees were also implemented to manage the affairs of the Region’s Health and Welfare, Safety and Security, Business and Transportation, Communications, and Logistics. According to the release, this will be a 24hours operation and will see the committees engaging every 48 hours.

Residents are further advised to follow all health safety guidelines; wash and sanitise their hands frequently and avoid crowds.

Should they fall ill, contact can be made to the following hotline numbers; (592) – 444-6127, 444-6137, 231-1166, 226-7480, 7180.

Linden is the second-largest town in Guyana after Georgetown with a population of roughly 30,000 residents.

Duo charged with possession of narcotics; released on $250K bail

Thirty- nine- year- old, Orin Matthews of North Sophia, Greater Georgetown and 22- year-old Tabika Peters of Lot 169, Paradise, ECD were yesterday charged with Possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking after they were detained by ranks on Friday last at the Berbice Bridge Checkpoint.

It is alleged that both Matthews and Peters were traveling in a hire car on Friday, March 20th, which was driven by Matthews when they were intercepted by police at the Berbice bridge. Ranks at the checkpoint then conducted a search of the vehicle and discovered nine parcels of compressed cannabis.

Yesterday, the duo made their first appearance at the New Amsterdam Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Peter Hugh, where the charges were read them, however, they pleaded not guilty and were placed on $250,000 bail each. 

The matter was adjourned to April 14th where they will make their second appearance in court to stand trial. 

Curfew implemented for businesses in New Amsterdam

The New Amsterdam Mayor and Town Council implemented temporary curfews on businesses within the municipality as it aims to reduce transmission of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The town council has mandated that all dining outlets are to be closed at 6pm; supermarkets and grocery shops closed at 7 pm and all pharmacies were given an 8 pm curfew.

On Tuesday, Mayor Winifred Haywood, led a team of municipal representatives to grocery stores, supermarkets, restaurants, other food outlets and corner-side bars in the town to raise awareness of the virus. The team included Town Clerk Sharon Alexander, Councillors Buster Wright, Quacy Isaacs, and Sheeanta Lambert. Environmental Health Assistant Jafanna Wright and Constabulary Sergeant Paul Beaton.

Divisional Commander Calvin Brutus has been given the undertaking to have his ranks enforce the order should these entities fail to adhere. Additionally, business owners were updated on the Ministry of Public Health’s guidelines and the need to shorten hours of business, to minimize the congregating of large groupings and prevent the spread of the virus.

The Council closed its doors today (Wednesday) to facilitate its fumigation and sanitization exercise.

Source: DPI Guyana 

GECOM says it awaits Court’s decision to move forward

The Guyana Elections Commission in responding to mounting public calls for the results of the election to be announced said it will await the decision of the court to bring the electoral process to an end.

In a media release the commission noted that “while the anxiety and frustration of the electorate is understandable, the Commission is cognizant that the matter is sub Judice and therefore awaits the outcome of the legal proceedings currently engaging the attention of the Court to inform its deliberations and next steps.”

The Guyana Elections Commission stated that it is an autonomous constitutional agency is guided by a legal framework and therefore it is imperative that it abides by the decisions of the Court. In this regard, the Commission reiterates its commitment to ensuring the 2nd March 2020 General and Regional Elections concludes in a manner that is guided by the Court.

Further, the media release noted that “though it may appear that GECOM is silent and not taking all necessary steps to arrive at a conclusive decision; the fact that injunctions were granted restraining GECOM officials from proceeding with the national recount supervised by Caricom and setting aside or varying the declaration of the Returning Officers of the ten (10) electoral districts and from substituting or replacing the said declaration of the Returning Officers until the hearing and determination of the judicial review; the Commission cannot pronounce on this matter.”

In this regard, until these matters are properly ventilated in Court and a decision is given, GECOM is unable to take any further actions.

COVID -19: Guyana’s confirmed cases remains at 5; nine persons quarantined

By Farah Bates – The number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in Guyana remains at 5 with 1 death, while 9 persons are currently under quarantine and 4 in isolation, according to Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence.

A total of 7 persons are being monitored by the Health Authority nationally and six of those persons were eliminated and one remains under surveillance.

It was during a press conference today Minister Lawrence gave this update, noting that they are adequately stocked with testing kits for medical personnel. Further, she noted that they continue to promote awareness on ways in which Guyanese can stay safe from the virus.

In a response to the global pandemic, the Ministry has been working closely with a number of agencies, including PAHO/WHO, UNICEF, IOM, IAEA and members of the diaspora to tackle the spread of the virus.

Guyana’s Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) has offered toll-free calls to the COVID-19 hotlines. The Minister added that yesterday they received a number of 543 calls by persons mainly from the city with questions and concerns about the virus.

With help from the Ministry’s Mental Health unit along with the Ministry of Social Protection, they are ensuring that Psychosocial support is given to the persons who are under quarantine and in isolation.

The Ministry is also receiving help from the Rotary Club who has been working in a number of communities to sanitize and fumigate those such areas.

Lawrence encouraged persons to practice social distancing and proper hygiene as they work to eliminate the spread of this virus.

Senior citizens can authorise family members to uplift pension payments

With reports of the emergence of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country, the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) will be implementing standard procedures across post offices throughout each region to protect their staff and customers especially senior citizens who uplift their pensions monthly.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), senior citizens are at a higher risk for more serious complications of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the norm being senior citizens accessing pension payments during the first and second day of the new month.

The GPOC is advising the more vulnerable population (senior citizens) to abstain from their post office visits unless it is necessary.

Senior citizens can authorise their family members to uplift their pension payments.

The GPOC will be adhering to the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO’s) guidelines to guarantee compliance in the following areas:

Enforcing a minimum distance of three feet between individuals accessing the services. This measure will limit the number of individuals who can enter the Post Office at any given time.

Persons visiting the post offices will be asked to sanitize their hands upon entry.

Those who present with coughs or colds will be provided with face masks.

The public areas will be sanitized intermittently throughout the day.

Customer service agents, postal clerks and postmen and women have all been provided with face masks and gloves to use while attending to the customers.

 

Labour Dept invites employers to discuss COVID-19 contingency plans

The Ministry of Social Protection’s Labour Department is inviting employers to come in and discuss contingency plans for this staff to help reduce the transmission of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

The Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle noted with the current plans being implemented by businesses there is the likelihood of reduced employment.

“As a consequence, the spending power of workers would be reduced and this would eventually impact the economic structure of the country,” Ogle said.

He further noted that, that several employers have implemented the staff rotation system advised by the Public Service Department, while others are contemplating temporary closures.

The Department of Public Service approved staff rotation measures for public servants to prevent clustering at the workplaces during the period March 16 – 27, 2020.

The Chief Labour Officer called on employers who are facing challenges concerning the ongoing situation to contact the Labour Department for advice.