Hicken assures proper security arrangements for cricket

Deputy Commissioner Operations (ag) Clifton Hicken has assured that all security arrangements are in place to ensure spectators, players and officials are safe at this weekend’s cricket matches at the Guyana National Stadium.

Speaking to the media after a walkthrough of the venue on Friday, he noted that with just a 40% capacity, the security agencies do not foresee any major challenges.

“The challenges in terms of security may not be that overwhelming because we are not going to have the stadium packed to capacity,” he said.

With adequate planning, he said preparations are in place for access to the stadium, the adherence to COVID-19 and other measures while at the facility and the proper exit of patrons at the conclusion of the games.

Mr. Hicken noted that support from the public is necessary to ensure that the COVID-19 guidelines are observed. “First of all, we don’t want to breach the COVID-19 guidelines so we did some adjustments to the queuing to come in, they will be distancing themselves and so presentation of the Vaccination cards are necessary and so we don’t expect to have [any of] the stands packed to capacity,” he added.

The Deputy Commissioner said 4,000 persons are expected at the venue at the weekend.

As it relates to traffic management which has been a sore issue along the East Bank corridor worsened during activities at the Stadium, Hicken said “we have adequate amount of traffic ranks to do traffic management and control.”

He however acknowledge that there is an ongoing competition for space along the corridor and there will also be emergency lanes in place to ensure unimpeded traffic flow for VVIPs and VIPs proceeding to and from the venue.

The second, third, fourth and fifth T20 internationals of the West Indies versus Pakistan series would see forty percent stadium capacity filled by fully vaccinated fans this weekend.