Release Date: May 1, 2020
The document expresses concerns from various organizations about the designation of mining and petroleum as essential services in Guyana during the Covid-19 pandemic. It highlights the potential risks this poses to interior communities, including increased disease transmission and environmental damage. The organizations call for the removal of mining from the essential services list, stricter enforcement against illegal mining and forestry activities, and a comprehensive review of the mining sector’s impact on the country’s economy and environment. They emphasize the need for protective measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, especially considering the vulnerability of border regions and the precedent set by the HIV-AIDS pandemic.
The document expresses concerns from various organizations about the designation of mining and petroleum as essential services in Guyana during the Covid-19 pandemic. It highlights the potential risks this poses to interior communities, including increased disease transmission and environmental damage. The organizations call for the removal of mining from the essential services list, stricter enforcement against illegal mining and forestry activities, and a comprehensive review of the mining sector’s impact on the country’s economy and environment. They emphasize the need for protective measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, especially considering the vulnerability of border regions and the precedent set by the HIV-AIDS pandemic.