Berbice Chamber swaps kite distribution for mask distribution

A police traffic rank on patrol stops to receive a mask on Sunday

The Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association on Sunday took instead of distributing kites to communities this year, took the streets of New Amsterdam in a massive masks distribution exercise to stem the spread of the Coronavirus.

A passenger of a car receives a mask during the exercise

During the exercise, the group also conducted awareness sessions on the COVID-19 virus and the need for persons to safeguard themselves. Approximately one thousand masks were shared on Sunday to vendors, residents, and members of the Guyana Police Force.

Ryan Alexander, president of the Chamber in offering comments noted that the move was part of honoring its social corporate responsibility too.

Alexander expressed the hope that other businesses and organizations would assist the Berbice community in whatever small way they can even as the chambers seek other areas of support for Berbicians.

“We are proposing to also do hampers which will complement what the CDC is doing for Berbice, we all know the CDC might not be able to touch all the communities and every single home so we are trying in a small way to complement their effort so we can reach out to citizens and play a part as Guyanese in this process” Alexander added.

Police Officer Newland received the donation for the police from a chamber rep

Michael Newland of the Guyana Police Force Sub Division No.1 in Berbice received a number of masks for ranks in the Berbice and offered regards to the chamber behalf of the Divisional Commander Calvin Brutus.

“This is a good gesture by the chamber of commerce for the number of masks donated. I guess this will be carried out throughout the division will help people recognize that the police; as the nurses and doctors are among the first responders to COVID” the police officer noted

Newland pointed out that the masks will go a long way in support of the work of the police during their patrol duties, those working in the enquires office, those working at the prisons and providing security at the various quarantine facilities in Berbice.