MINISTRY OF PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE

CORONAVIRUS: COVID-19
The COVID-19 outbreak is a serious threat to public health. Lockdowns and other coordinated restrictive
measures are necessary to save lives. However, these measures may also severely slow down our economy
and can delay the deliveries of critical goods and services. As a result, some additional measures are
recommended for:

• Land Transportation
• Air Transportation
• Water Transportation
These measures will complement all those already instituted by the Ministry of Public Health/PAHO/WHO
to restrict the spread of the virus.
Importantly, the guidance makes clear that essential goods and transport vehicles are not required to be
restricted. As such road transport operations can continue on a daily basis (unless of course an operator is
ill or displaying symptoms of COVID-19).
ROAD TRANSPORTATION
a. Public Transport Restrictions
i. A person who provides public transport in a motor vehicle (minibus, hire car,
taxi, etc.) shall only carry in such motor vehicle half the number of passengers
for which it is licensed to carry.
ii. The requirement of a minibus conductor on board public bus is relaxed until
future notice
iii. Soliciting of passengers at the bus park is strictly prohibited

b. Private Transport Restrictions

i. A person operating a private transport vehicle (motor car, van, pickup) shall
transport no more than 2 adults and 2 lap infants if the vehicle is licensed to
transport such numbers. There must be a clear passenger distance between 2
persons travelling in a private vehicle.

c. Commercial Transport Vehicles Restrictions

i. A person operating a commercial vehicle (truck, tractor, delivery van, freight
carrier) is responsible for ensuring there is clear passenger distance between any
two persons being transported in the cabin of the vehicle.
PENALTIES

• Revocation of licence
• Six (6) months in prison and/or $1M fine for breach in respect of any of the conditions listed
above.
AIR TRANSPORTATION
RESTRICTIONS ON DOMESTIC FLIGHTS

• The transportation of passengers by air to and from all border locations is suspended with
immediate effect until further notice.

• the transportation of passengers to other locations will be allowed at 25% of the aircraft
passenger capacity. Adequate spacing of passengers must be adopted.

• The transportation of cargo and medical supplies will be facilitated during daylight operation.
Cargo must be fully sanitized before loading onto the aircraft.

• Medivac flight will be allowed with only the patient, one health official and one family member.

• There will be no night operation except for medivac flights.

• Aircraft crew are to be properly protected with mask and gloves for all flights.

The Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation and the Eugene Correia International Airports will
remain closed until further notice.
All conditions listed in the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority’s previous directive remains in effect.

Penalties
These conditions as set out earlier are made under Section 143 (1) (a of the Civil Aviation Act 2018. For
the conditions set out, any person who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with any of the
conditions will commit an offence under Section 88 of the Civil aviation Act 2018 and is liable on
summary conviction.

(a) In the case of an individual, to a fine of $3M and to imprisonment for two (2) years; or

(b) In the case of a body corporate, to a fine of $5M.

Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD)

• Parika – Supenaam Service

Three (3) return trips per week with not more than 100 passengers on each vessel.
 • Wakenaam – Supenaam Service

Suspended

• Parika – Bartica Service

Two return trips per week.

• Parika – Wakenaam Service

Two (2) return trips per week.

• Parika – Leguan Service

Two (2) return trips per week.

1. Berbice – Water Taxi Service

Suspended

2. North West District Service

• MV Barima will depart Georgetown on Saturday April 04, 2020 at 13:00 hrs. for
Port Kaituma and upon her return to Port Georgetown the service will be suspended until
further notice.

• MV Kimbia is currently at Kumaka NWD and is expected to return to Port

Georgetown by Saturday April 4, 2020 and the service will be suspended until further
advised.

Speedboat
Passenger Crew
Parika/Bartica 23 2
Georgetown/Vreed-en-Hoop 21 2
Parika/Wakenaam/Supenaam 17 2

Vending and parking at both Georgetown and Vreed-En-Hoop Stellings will be suspended
until immediate effect.

Maritime Administration Department

• Vessels plying the internal water will only operate for the transportation of essential
goods and for the movement of health workers i.e. doctors, nurses, medics, lab
 technicians, sanitation workers, firemen, health professionals, military, para military
officers, lighthouse attendants, marine officers/pilot trainees, pilots, marine police and
hydrographic services.

• Tub boat services would be allowed, providing that the administration is notified 24
hours in advance.

• No water sports or recreational activities would be allowed.

• Speedboats and cargo vessels would only be allowed to procure goods (such as
perishable and non-perishable).

• Hours of work for these vessels should be in keeping with MARAD’s established rules in
the various routes – daylight hours only 06:00 – 18:00 hrs. or in exceptional cases with
navigation lights.

• Cargo handling operation will not take place during curfew hours – 07:00 hrs. to 18:00
hrs. or with the direct intervention of Marad’s Officer in charge.

• No crew changes nor shore leave will be permitted outside of the operational hours.
• Port and terminal operations will be allowed to continue under the requirement,
recommendations and guidance of MARAD, Ministry of Public health and all other
relevant authorities.

• Any boat operator who is not in compliance with the guidelines stated herein will have
both vessel and personal licences revoked immediately by the administration.

Ministry of Public Infrastructure

Dated: 30 March, 2020