COVID19 EMERGENCY MEASURES

Press Statement

The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) notes with much concern the implementation of the new COVID 19 guidelines that came into effect on August 01, 2021. The GPSU views this as discriminatory against those who do not wish to be vaccinated. This arbitrary approach is an encroachment on Citizens’ rights of choice and is viewed by the Union as an abuse of power.

The GPSU maintains that should the protocols stated hereunder be promoted they would contribute significantly to reduction of the rate of infections and harnessing the spread of the covid -19 virus.

The Protocols are:

Social distancing,
No assembling in large crowds,
Sanitizing frequently,
Rotation at workplaces,
limiting the number of passengers in the public transport system,

Reintroduction of the Curfew, (save and except Essential Workers or exceptional cases where it is absolutely necessary and the evidence is available.

Robust policing of these protocols
Educational blitzes on the need for the vaccination

The Union is also of the firm view that vaccination alone cannot stopped the spread of the virus since it is evident around the world where many people die as a result of contracting the virus after being fully vaccinated. Therefore it is important that the protocols listed be implemented to work in collaboration with the vaccine to reduce the spread of the virus.

GPSU also maintains the view that everyone should be encouraged to vaccinate BUT should only do so voluntarily and in keeping with the approved World Health Organization vaccination standards. It must be noted that all vaccines currently available have only been granted Emergency approval.

The Ministers of Labour and Health are on record as saying that adult vaccination is not mandatory. The actions now taken by the Government of Guyana id a direct contradiction of the statements made by these two gentlemen. Also important to note is an article dated 11^th March 2021 entitled “outdated public health legislation to ‘recover’ amid pandemic” the Minister of Legal Affairs was quoted as saying “Guyana’s Public Health infrastructure is radically different from what it was in 1934, and the Covid -19 pandemic has shown graphically how outdated and almost dysfunctional the law is.” Yet, the Government is using this outdated and dysfunctional law to craft and enforce the Covid – 19 Emergency measures.

Notwithstanding the support for vaccination efforts, GPSU acknowledges and will fiercely defend the rights of any citizen, particularly its members who refuse treatment and medical intervention as well as those who wish to keep their medical information confidential. These rights are enshrined in the Medical Practitioners’ Act NO. 16 of 1991 and Patient Charter 2008 of the Ministry of Health.

The GPSU was informed that Ministries / Agencies have refused entry to their employees and informed them that they must be vaccinated before entering the workplace and days away from work will be treated as no pay leave. This heartless decision of the decision makers also affected the pensioners on whose shoulders we not stand were denied to receive their hard earn pension. Patients and their relatives were also denied access to public health care at the public health institutions. The GPSU strongly condemns the illegal actions enforced the workers and the pensioners.

This Gazette Order enforce should be fiercely denounced forthwith by both ‘vaccers and nonvacers’ alike, as it goes against the individual’s freedom of choice, which freedom is a right enshrined in the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana

GPSU’s policy on this issue has always been and will continue to be that individuals be given adequate information and education on the Covid-19 vaccines and the decision to take a vaccine must be voluntary. Only be vaccine approved by WHO must be administer to individuals.

The GPSU also calls for solidarity in this just fight for workers’ rights from the following agencies including but not limited to Trade Unions, Women and Gender Affairs Committee, Rights of the Child and Human Rights Commission. Failure to act now would result in serious and irreparable psychology, and socio-economic damage to individuals, their families and the work environment.

The GPSU once again strongly condemns this heinous actions taken by the Government of Guyana who purports to be a caring Government.

160 Regent & Shiv Chanderpaul Drive

Bourda, Georgetown.

August 6, 2021.