Two protests in two different parts of the country took place today against what is being seen as the Government’s policy to “force” persons to get vaccinated.
At the Square of the Revolution in Georgetown, scores of persons gathered with placards to make known their disagreement with the Government’s vaccination policy which sees persons wanting to access government facilities being required to make an appointment if they are not vaccinated.
The policy also demands the vaccination of healthcare and public transportation workers.
Activist Bernice Walcott said the main issue is that the government appears to be taking away the right to choose from citizens with its measures and vaccination requirements.
“I am saying that you are servants of the people, not Lords. You are supposed to be caring for the health of the people, not forcing them, not coercing them, not bullying them to put a substance in their bodies which can’t be taken out, they cannot unvaccinate themselves…So, I am very disappointed in Mr. Irfaan Ali and Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo and Mark Phillips and all others”, the woman said.
The activist said she believes the Government’s current approach needs to be reconsidered.
“We were given a God given choice, the people of Guyana should be given choice and what have you done; you have Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony, whose specialty is public health. Oh, DR. Anthony your specialty is public health, you could have told us that if we build up our immunity, vitamin D, Vitamin C, Zinc everything, the proven therapeutics, ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, we don’t have a need for the vaccines in the first place” Ms. Walcott said.
She said the Government should have focused more on educating the public about the vaccines.
“Instead of that you put some people, who are celebrities; Doctor, Lawyers, Member of Parliament to say “I took the jab, you take it too”. Sir that is merely advertising the jab not giving public education to the people, we need public education, we need to care for the life of the people not to be bullied”.
Outside the Ministry of Education on Brickdam, a number of persons were arrested by the Police when they attempted to start a protest outside the Education Ministry.
On Tuesday, the Education Ministry called in the Police to remove unvaccinated staffers from the building.
In Linden, hundreds gathered and marched through Mackenzie and Wismar against mandatory vaccinations.
Shouting through their masks, the Lindeners voiced their displeasure with the government policy. Linden is located in Region 10 which has the lowest vaccination rate in the country.
Lindeners are threatening to continue their protest action until the government reconsiders its vaccination policy.
The Government has not been shifting from its position.
Under the health regulations, persons are required to show proof of vaccine or make an appointment to visit government offices. And a number of government offices are now requiring vaccinations for staff members who have been told that if they are not vaccinated they must produce a regular negative COVID-19 test result and stand the cost for the test.
The vaccine regulations also cover persons visiting restaurants and casinos and betting shops.
Earlier this week, the Ministry of Education advised teachers that they must be vaccinated for the September 6th reopening of schools or produce a weekly negative COVID-19 test result.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
