GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC)—Guyana’s government on Tuesday announced a four-and-a-half-hour curfew, hinting that it may be increased as efforts continue to deal with unlawful behaviour in the country in recent days.

The country’s home affairs minister, Robeson Benn, said that the national curfew from 12:30 am to 5:00 am (local time) could be extended as a review is taking place that could result in the measure starting at 10:00 pm.

“The curfew it might start earlier tonight, and we will review how late or early in the morning it will go to. It can start as early as 10, we are reviewing the matter at the moment,” Benn said as he toured several areas in the capital in the company of members of the joint security services.

The current curfew order, which was gazetted on Tuesday, states that there shall be no public meetings, gatherings, and assemblies of people, procession or marches in any public space during the hours of 12:30 am and 5:00 am.

The order came following a night that saw fires being set to major roadways in several parts of the country and some businesses in Georgetown being looted, with robberies also being reported.

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) in a statement said it has noted with “deep concern” the incidents that occurred within the last 24 hours.

“The chamber is calling on citizens to allow peace and stability to prevail. Criminal elements have hijacked and preyed upon frustrations over recent incidents, and the acts of violence, looting and destruction witnessed on Monday and the wee hours of Tuesday morning only serve to create unrest and create divides among our people.

“The chamber remains concerned about the continued perpetuation of violence in our society, and public safety remains paramount. The GCCI is calling on authorities to enforce the implemented measures to temper unrest and be proactive in quelling any efforts aimed at furthering instability,” it added.

Benn said the Ministry of Home Affairs has been closely monitoring the situation, as the Guyana Police Force (GPF), with the backing of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), takes steps to clear all roadways of debris, allowing for free movement.

“We have been up all night monitoring the situation to try to see where we need to send help and support and bring some law and order. Now, we are trying to go around to the little areas, particularly in the city, to show presence, and to try to encourage people to come back to some level of orderliness and lawful behaviour,” he said.

“There is no excuse for the behaviour,” Benn said, noting that while people were “fairly upset at the situation” regarding the death of 11-year-old, Adrianna Younge, whose body was found floating in a pool at a hotel here last Thursday, the authorities have promised a fully investigation into the matter.

“There were assurances not only to have an early autopsy, but at the request of the family, they agreed to bring in foreign doctors to do the autopsy and to make sure that they get the forensic right, all of that was done.

“There was no excuse for the behaviour which unfolded, particularly on social media. Those social media posts are still online, still up and have been recorded, and as a result of some of those posts, more people will be arrested for creating public mischief, terror,” Benn said.

The autopsy has since indicated that the child died from drowning.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education is condemning an incident in which teachers and students from the Chateau Margot Primary School were injured during an acid attack on Monday.

“The ministry unequivocally condemns any form of violence against students, teachers, or any member of the public,” the ministry said in a statement.

It said schools and their environs should be safe spaces for learning and development to take place, and any act that threatens this sanctity will not be tolerated.

“We are working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure a thorough investigation is conducted, and that appropriate action is taken. The safety and well-being of our pupils and educators remains our highest priority,” the ministry said, extending “best wishes to those recovering and reaffirm our commitment to creating and maintaining safe learning environments across Guyana”.