Guyana’s President Defends COVID-19 Measures As Necessary To Create A Safe Work Environment

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (Thursday, September 2, 2021) — President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, argues that the COVID-19 measures the government has implemented, aim to create a safe work environment.

He was responding to reports that several workers’ unions have approached the High Court, to challenge the measures, in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Guyana.

“We have not made vaccination mandatory. What we have done is, to say that in order to secure people, who are vaccinated and have a safe work environment – and part of the labour relations is to have a safe work environment – if unvaccinated, persons have a greater possibility of creating an unsafe environment, then you have to make decisions,” the President said, on the sidelines of an event at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, yesterday.

He added that people should try to understand the public health issue: “Look at what is happening in many countries in the region, with Delta. Many of the countries are running out of oxygen, and if we understand this and the public health implications of this, I’m sure we’ll all make the right decision that we have to support vaccination.”

The government continues to execute an aggressive vaccination campaign, maintaining that vaccination is the surest way out of the pandemic.