Given the threat of coronavirus, the law courts in Guyana are putting systems in place to safeguard staff and members of the public.
In a press statement on Sunday evening, the Office of the Chancellor said that further remanding of prisoners would be conducted via Skype. The statement further stated that acting Chancellor, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards convened a meeting of senior court officials to address the response of the court system in safeguarding staff and court customers. It was noted that a decision was taken to have all courts and their environs fumigated and sanitised. This exercise commenced last Friday and continued over the weekend.
“The weekend was chosen so as to cause minimal disruption to court services. These courts will be open for business on Monday, March 16, 2020,” the statement read. Fumigation of the other courts will be done at the weekends also. This exercise will be conducted periodically as necessary.
“Members of the public and court users entering the courts, the registries and offices will be required to sanitise their hands. Sanitisers will be provided and placed at the entrances to all court compounds and in strategic locations at all courts. Judges and Magistrates, as well as supervisors of court registries and offices, will provide further guidance on the attendance of litigants and progress of trials and hearings,” the statement from the Chancellor’s office revealed.
It is advised that members of the public who do not have cases/matters in court but seek to accompany litigants are encouraged to stay away from the courts.
“A response team has been set up to deal with the preparedness, response, and interaction with public health agencies. The team will interface with staff and report to the Chancellor of the Judiciary. Given the nature and characteristics of COVID-19 and its potential to disrupt or even halt the functions of the court, it is expected that there will be scrupulous adherence to protocols,” the release added.
