Cockfight competition hosted during curfew

Despite lockdown measures across the country to avoid the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), these restrictions were breached and a heated cockfight was hosted in an act which is deemed illegal.

Based on a video which surfaced, the incident occurred on Monday at about 08:00h at Tarla Dam, Meten Meer Zorg, West Coast Demerara (WCD).
Persons were engaged in a large group even as calls for social distancing have heightened in recent days. In fact, the gathering consisted of more than 20 persons who were seen closely together.
Moreover, only last week, the caretaker Government, through the Public Health Ministry, issued wide-sweeping restrictions and a national curfew to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Under the emergency measures directive, “any person who fails to comply with any of the new measures commits an offence”, and shall be liable to summary conviction.
Some of the measures outlined in the Government directive include directives to stay at home, stating that “every person shall remain in the confines of his or her home and its yard space”, except or as otherwise provided.
Meanwhile, earlier in the month, a group of ‘cockfight’ lovers were attacked and robbed of their cash and other valuables by at least three armed men at Water Street, Agricola, Greater Georgetown.
Cockfighting is an illegal game that the police have been trying to stop, but it continues in several villages, including Friendship, Sarah Johanna and other areas on the East Bank of Demerara.