Potarinau toshao says multiple...

Albert noted that they have received some support from the South Rupununi District Council (SRDC) but that was not enough. In addition, he acknowledged that the Guyana Police Force had given them fuel once but that didn’t last long either.

Further, he said, the persons who patrol the border are doing so voluntarily, adding that sometimes, he would take these trips himself, just to ensure that the communities are protected.

He added that due to the condition of the paths leading to the border, transportation had become problematic since an ATV is now needed to access the borderline.

A request was made through the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs for an ATV but so far they have not responded to his request. “We have tried our best but we are not going to give up because we are getting support from others [the residents within the community] but some are not truly with it but they have seen what is happening in the village with the deaths and the rising number of cases in the village and the ATV would be vital for the patrolling of the border,” he said.

He further noted that they have not received any support from the Region or other Government officials, adding that the SRDC is the only organisation that has tried to educate the people and been assisting them with food, fuel, sanitizing supplies, and masks.

He noted that since the outbreak, residents are not allowed to go beyond the gate and checkpoint established at the entrance of the community. Additionally, he said, only a driver and a porter are allowed to get food supplies from Lethem as the community is currently on lockdown. Further, the 6pm to 6am curfew is still in effect and will remain so until the disease is contained.

Albert also informed that contact tracing in Katuur and Baitoon is scheduled to commence today. The population currently consists of 613 with 120 households.