GUYANA Tourism Authority to monitor restaurants for dining compliance

 Gabreila PatramJanuary 15, 2021

-indoor dining at 40 per cent of capacity

-one-month closure for breaches

The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has been tasked with ensuring compliance with the amended Covid order which now allows restaurants to have indoor dining up to 40 per cent of their capacity.

The GTA says restaurants which qualify for indoor dining would be monitored and those which breach the regulations would be shut down.

Director, Ms. Carla James, in an interview with DPI on Friday, said eateries must apply to the Authority for permission. They must also submit their Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) which must align with the COVID-19 measures, and other health and sanitation protocols.

Once the documents are submitted, the GTA would do a desk review and advise the entity of any deficiencies that need to be addressed.  This would be followed by an on-site inspection of the premises to verify that the establishment has everything in place relating to the COVID-19 guidelines, and that they reflect the information provided in their SOPs.

“Once that is done and they meet all the requirements, we will then grant them conditional approval to open at 40 per cent capacity. Patrons must look out for sign that will be placed [on the establishment] once the property is approved,” Ms. James said.

The Director also noted that the GTA would be supporting the businesses by publicising their names so citizens would know where they can dine safely.

Breaches

Ms. James said monitoring is key to ensuring that the systems in place are working effectively and the GTA is taking a firm stance on breaches.

“Businesses who are in breach will be banned from reopening for a month and we know that this something that they will not want because they want to remain open to have some revenue coming out their business because they have not been able to operate for quite a number of months. We hope that they do everything that they can and follow the rules so that we don’t have to ban anyone so to speak from operating.”

The GTA intends to employ various methods of monitoring, including making unannounced visits for inspections.  The Authority would also be conducting a survey where patrons can provide feedback.

Partnerships on monitoring

Since the GTA’s mandate to ensure safe dining is countrywide, it would be liaising with agencies such as the Mayor and City Council, the Department of Health and regional health officers to ensure continuous monitoring.

The inspection of premises for applications that have been submitted will begin tomorrow.

According to the amended measures, tables are to be spaced six feet apart from each other and no more than four persons are to be seated at a table, and they should be at least three feet apart.

The amendment also states that staff at the restaurants shall wear a mask fitted to cover the nose, mouth and chin at all times and shall sanitise dining tables and chairs after use by each customer.

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony announced the amendments to the Order on Wednesday.

Rockstone residents hail ongoing $14.8M roadworks…..

 Shaquille BourneJanuary 15, 2021

Residents of Rockstone Village, Region 10 have lauded the major upgrades to the hinterland community’s internal and external roads that are ongoing through the Ministry of Public Works. A $14.825 million contract was signed in December to rehabilitate the road from Wisroc to Rockstone, Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region 10).  

Speaking at a community meeting Toshao Mr. Flagan Carter said the rehabilitation works are a breakthrough for the village. Minister within the Ministry, Hon. Deodat Indar and Presidential Advisor, Hon. Dr. Jennifer Westford MP led the meeting/

“For a long time, we have been starved of a proper trail,” Mr Carter said. 

The Toshao said the community had gotten the Ministry’s approval for rehabilitation works totalling approximately $14 million and a pledge of an additional $60 million in upgrades.  He said the lack of a decent roadway has always been a challenge for pregnant women and children. Drivers too had high costs for vehicular repairs due to the improper road.

“Kudos to the learned Minister and the work they have been doing in Rockstone. We do appreciate any small development infrastructurally, when it comes to the trail, improving the trail [and] improving the livelihoods of our members in the community,” Toshao Carter said.

Deputy Toshao Ms. Karen Williams also welcomed the works. “It is really beneficial to our community and other areas because this is the main trail into the interior,” she said.

Another resident, logger, Mr. Antonio Peters, said he is relieved the road repairs have started, since the community was subjected to years of unfulfilled promises by the former administration.

Citing the need for a road that features a renewed surface, Mr. Peters said, “the [Rockstone] Loggers Association hires trucks to come in and take out our produce from here and those trucks can only carry about 20 cubic [tonnes], but when the road is good, you carry about 30 cubic [tonnes].”

To this end, Mr. Peters said loggers will enjoy a greater income as more logs will be transported.

Eron Lall Civil Engineering Works won the $14.825 million contract to repair the road.  The contract started on December 1 and is for a duration of three months.