The COVID-19 measures in Suriname will be further tightened. This became clear this afternoon during the COVID-19 press conference of the Surinamese government.
For example, drinking alcohol at shops is tackled in public and only 1 person per family is allowed to go to the supermarket. Air traffic with Brazil and Guyana will also be closed. And schools remain closed.
Furthermore, testing will be stepped up. The press conference can be followed below and the measures are listed below the video:
From Sunday, January 24, 2021 to Saturday, February 6, 2021, the following measures apply:
The general measures remain in force;
1. Wear your mouth and nose cover. 2. Always observe the 1.5 meter physical distance, the so-called COVID distance.3. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer. It is highly recommended that you stay at home and only leave home for necessary work, medical emergencies, or to do essential shopping.
Measure 1
The Nightlife ban is set from 7:00 pm in the evening to 5:00 am. The following measures apply outside of curfew times;
Measure 2
No gathering of groups larger than five people. It is prohibited to hold parties, including house parties. There will still be no dispensation for this. These are potential mass spreading events (under no circumstances may permission / exemption be given by the authorities!)
Measure 3
Meetings for mourning hearings, funerals and religious gatherings are only permitted if and insofar as no more ten (10) persons are present on the spot at the same time and with due observance of the COVID19 measures.
Measure 4
All sports activities including contact sports are not allowed, with the exception of individual sports activities.
Measure 5
Passenger transport by means of public transport by road or water is only permitted with due observance of the public transport protocol.
Measure 6
In the period from January 24, 2021 to February 6, 2021, the following commercial premises or areas that are accessible to the public will be closed: a. Restaurants and other commercial establishments for the preparation and delivery of food, with the exception of take-out or delivery; collection is possible until 7 pm and delivery until 10 pm pmb. night clubs, dance halls, discotheques and the like; c. brothels; d. bars; e. recreation resorts; f. casinos; g. gambling and entertainment facilities; h. gaming offices; i. gyms, yoga and dance schools, aerobics, zumba, sports and fitness centers or facilities; j. contact professions, including hairdressers, hairdressing salons and barbershops, with the exception of medical professions
Measure 7
Security of our closed borders is stepped up as imports of Covid-19 variants, particularly from Brazil, pose a threat. Passenger traffic with Brazil and Guyana will be closed as of January 23, 2021. Of course, only returnees with quarantine measures will be admitted. The air border is therefore only open to essential movement of persons, provided that: a) the conditions and protocols specific to the country from which the person comes directly are complied with; and b) Only after the person has received prior approval from the competent Surinamese authorities to travel, whereby the essential nature of the journey to be made will be assessed.
Measure 8
Domestic flights are only allowed for cargo, repatriation of stranded passengers and for medical emergencies.
Measure 9
People in quarantine or isolation, but also people who are obliged to stay at home, must strictly adhere to the measures. They are prohibited from moving or being outside their home or accommodation facilities.
Measure 10
All government offices and schools will be closed from January 24, 2021 to February 6, 2021. This does not apply to essential government services. As far as possible, staff must work from home and meet / confer via zoom or other media. This also applies to the high councils of State (Government, DNA).
Measure 11
Supervision of compliance with the duty of masks in the workplace (offices, business premises, hospitals, etc.) is increased by appointing people to watch and act on this.
Measure 12
As of January 23, 2021, everyone is prohibited from using alcohol in public. This is due to the statistics in which various infections have taken place in people who have stayed at supermarkets. In particular, alcohol consumption and unnecessary stopping in the vicinity of shops and supermarkets is now prohibited and action will be taken against this.
Measure 13
As of today, only 1 person per family may be admitted to supermarkets and other shops. The responsibility and control of this will be done by the businesses.
Measure 14
Schools are closed for the time being (given that children may also play a role in transmission.
