COVID-19: Ubraj buckles; markets to close, street vending to cease

Mayor Ubraj Narine

City Major Ubraj Narine after claiming that he will not be locking down the city as several other agencies have to be involved and that the move would have economic implications for the city, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council has decided to implement measures aimed at restricting the number of persons moving around the city.

“All markets and street vending operations must cease from Friday 03 April 2020 at 19:00 hours.” A document that was seen by this publication and signed by the mayor stated. The document cited Section 3 (1) and 302 (31) D of the municipal and District councils Act Chapter 28:01 as the authority for the move.

Further to that, the move will see with effect from Saturday, April 04, 2020, the closure of all municipal markets until further notice. This includes Road selling, street vending (including wholesalers/ Retailers/ farmers/ night sellers, Snacketts/ cook shop operators and all categories of food sellers and street vending).

The council will, however, allow farmers, wholesalers/ retailers will be permitted to ply their trade at the Stabroek and Bourda markets on Fridays only from 07:00 to 13:00hrs as follows.

Stabroek Market: West of the Guyana Fire Service Building, Bourda market: on the Merrimans Mall between Orange Walk and Light Street. The Friday farmers, wholesalers/ retailers operation will be conducted under strict guidelines for practicing social distance the document noted.

The council has asked for cooperation in an effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus in the city at large. Additionally, the release concluded, there will be no Sunday, street, road selling permitted at the Albouystown Market until further notice.