Bernarddorp closed for visitors

Bernarddorp on Wednesday closed the five roads that lead to this Amerindian village located in the Para District. Dorothea Paujali, senior member of the tribal council, told Times of Suriname that the decision to close the roads was made to protect the villagers against COVID-19. Guards have been put at the Maroeni, Voorbraak, Calli, Zwaanand Aalschoolweg. Paujali pointed out that the villagers take turns guarding the checkpoints on these roads. “The youths are eager to get a turn at guard duty. Both men and women are deployed at the checkpoints. The guards get food from the other villagers. The tribal elders and the villagers agree that the village had to be closed to keep people who might be infected with COVID-19 out. “The police, fire department and suppliers of goods are given permission to enter the village. The villagers also are not allowed to leave the village after 6 pm. If villagers return to the village after 6 pm. they must have a good reason for being late. “They must prove that they were at work”, said Paujali who made it clear that the village would stick to the strict measures.