APNU+AFC, TCI urge gov’t against relying on vaccines alone to curb COVID spread
Saying that vaccination alone would not contain the spread of COVID-19, including its variants, the main opposition A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) has again called on the government to pursue a holistic approach to protect citizens.
While reiterating that COVID-19 vaccination is not mandatory, the government has moved to place greater restrictions on access to public spaces by unvaccinated persons. Under its latest measure, which was gazetted on Saturday, members of the public who want to enter privately-owned businesses – to which the public has lawful access – now have to be vaccinated or alternatively will have to show evidence of a recent negative PCR test and make an appointment.
“The APNU+AFC strongly recommends that vaccination be voluntary and with informed consent. Coercion is not an option and is not science, neither is fear mongering. We believe that vaccination alone is not the solution to contain the Delta variant but a holistic [approach] is required to protect our people,” Shadow Health Minister Dr Karen Cummings declared during an address to the nation on Monday.
She noted that that as a result of the gazetted measures regarding vaccination policy, senior citizens have been unable to access their monthly pension as they have been denied entry from the post offices.
In addition, she said, the coalition is proposing that steps be taken to incentivise Guyanese to get vaccinated rather than to make them poor, and called on the government to step up the public education campaign.
Adding its voice to the debate yesterday was The Citizenship Initiative (TCI) party, which called on government to let Guyanese choose whether to receive vaccines or not, while ensuring that other measures to prevent the spread of the virus are enforced.
“It must be a citizen’s CHOICE to be vaccinated, other measures such as social distancing, mask-wearing and sanitizing are also to be followed regardless of vaccinated status. As shown by Israel, the most vaccinated population globally, persons can still become very ill with COVID despite being fully vaccinated,” TCI said in a statement that it said represented a majority view as not all its members were