Suriname has Saturday new measures announced to prevent the further spread of the corona virus. A tightened curfew, a weekend in total lockdown and the closing of many public places, among other things, should halt the sharp rise in the number of positive tests.
On Thursday, the number of positive tests rose to over fifty, three times as many as the day before. According to the Public Health Bureau (BOG), the country “has not yet experienced such a situation in previous waves”. There are fears of great pressure on health care in the country.
The figures in the country indicate that Suriname also has to deal with virus variants that spread faster than the ‘normal’ variant, according to the BOG. The measures announced on Saturday must ensure that the health services in the country are not overloaded. The tightening applies until at least 23 April.
For example, the curfew in the country that has been in force for months will be tightened and it will no longer be allowed to go outside without a valid reason from Saturday evening instead of 9 p.m. On weekdays, the curfew is from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On the weekend of 16 to 19 April, even a complete curfew applies, whereby it is forbidden to go out on the street between 16 April 8 p.m. and 19 April 5 a.m.
Gyms, hairdressers and shopping centers must be closed
To further reduce the risk of corona infections, public places such as nightclubs, gyms, hairdressers and shopping centers must close their doors. Restaurants may still offer takeout during that period.
In addition to the curfew, the country is also tightening up measures in the area of meetings: only five people are allowed to meet outside of work activities. At funerals and religious gatherings, a maximum of ten people may still be in a room, if they can keep 1.5 meters away.
The Surinamese government will explain the measures in a press conference on Saturday evening (local time).
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