Protesters oppose the 'forced' vaccination of COVID-19 in Guyana
Supporters of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition took to Cuffy Square in Georgetown this morning to protest the Guyanese Government’s coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine mandate.
Guyanese are required to show proof of vaccination to access entertainment and government offices without an appointment.
Armed with placards, the protestors chanted that they should be allowed to have autonomy over their bodies.
Led by controversial Pastor Nigel London, who previously led a similar protest in Linden, said it is concerning that the government is forcing people to take the vaccine without assurance that they will be compensated if they have an adverse reaction to it.
“This is not about party lines right now; this is about your life and right as a human being. If the World Health Organisation, FDA, PAHO, and everybody else said that vaccines are for emergency use, then respect it. Do not treat me as if I don’t have the right to reject something that has not been fully approved,” he said.
Workers at the Local Government Ministry have been told that they must be vaccinated by next week or remove from shifts.
Speed boat operators face losing their license to operate unless they are vaccinated.
Several companies in the private sector also require their employees to be vaccinated before they return to work.
Any staff, who is not vaccinated, will be required to take a PCR test every two weeks to prove they are not infected with COVID. The staff member will have to pay for the test out of their own pockets.
London said it is unfair that unvaccinated Guyanese are being treated as second-class citizens for expressing their right to have autonomy over their bodies.
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