Opposition continues to press gov’t for inclusive approach on coronavirus

With the rising numbers of COVID-19 deaths and infections, the opposition APNU+AFC coalition on Thursday reiterated its call for the Government to set up a multistakeholder approach to tackle the health crisis, saying that it stands ready to assist.

“We want to make this very clear, we have said on multiple occasions that we stand ready to work with the Government on matters of national importance and national security, and to this end again call for a national multi-stakeholder approach to tackling this health crisis,” Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon said during the virtual press conference. He added that there is need for an approach that “brings all representatives to the table, we believe that if we are to win in this battle against COVID19 we must do it together.”

The country has experienced over 870 COVID-19related deaths.

As he has in the past, Harmon was critical of the government’s handling of the pandemic which he said continues to put profit and business over the lives of people. He pointed out that Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony has in the past acknowledged the presence of the Delta variant in Guyana and given all that is known of the variant, it requires that stricter COVID-19 measures be implemented. He criticised the Government for keeping the same measures in place “as if it is business as usual and where it sees fit to benefit its friends, and even relaxed some measures.”

The Opposition Leader posited that with all that is happening and so many Guyanese dying as a result of the virus, it is deeply saddening that the Government seems “unwilling to put aside petty politics and act in the best interest of the people of Guyana.”

“The PPP’s continued refusal to at the bare minimum, include the Parliamentary Opposition on the COVID-19 taskforce is testament to their inability to put country over petty politics,” Harmon contended.

Further, such political grandstanding on a matter that poses a threat to the lives and livelihood of all Guyanese will only serve to prolong this fight against COVID-19. “The time for platitudes, token gestures, and political sloganeering is over; the approach to fighting COVID-19 has to be one that sees all hands on deck; every sector, every agency; every party”.

He also encourage all Guyanese to get vaccinated with WHO-approved vaccines and called on the government to intensify its education drive as opposed to the “heavy-handed forced vaccination campaign.”

The Opposition Leader also appealed to Guyanese to continue to observe all the COVID protocols and reminded them of their role in the fight against the disease.