Head of the security aspect of the tour, GCB Marketing Manager, Conrad Plummer, at a press briefing at the GCB Regent Road office, listed several new measures that will be implemented along with old ones to ensure that the Guyana leg of the tour is free from any hindrances, at least security-wise.

And according to Plummer, failure to comply with the measures, in most instances, will result in immediate ejection from the match venues.

As part of the general tightening, Plummer pointed out that no member of the public would be allowed in the playing area or the dressing rooms, except for officials and authorised personnel.

In addition to this, there will be zero tolerance for pitch invasion and for people running unto the field or even getting on to the edge of the field.

Plummer said the GCB is wary of what took place during the last visit of the Australians and doesn’t want a recurrence of the problems, hence the strict guidelines.

Plummer is appealing to the public that no matter how worked up they might get, to contain themselves and celebrate behind the barriers.

For the first time also, mandatory security checks on all patrons will be made at the entrances of both grounds, he pointed out.

According to the GCB Marketing Manager, before patrons enter the ground they will be subjected to security checks, which mostly like will be done by scanners.

Plummer said no dangerous or potentially dangerous weapons will be allowed into any match venues and he is appealing to all persons to desist from walking with same as they would not be allowed entry into the match venues.

The use of fireworks, flares and incendiary devices will also not be allowed, while spectators will not be allowed to carry any alcoholic beverages into the match venues but can purchase same in plastic containers inside the ground. They will however not be allowed to take can or glass containers in the venues.

Plummer is appealing to spectators therefore to understand what is required of them and to comply with the measures. He’s also urging them to be early because of the rigid checks that will obviously be time-consuming.

Patrons leaving the ground for lunch and tea are also asked to note that they will be subjected to checks on their return.

Like last year, the GCB will once again “sterilise” the entire area around the ground, similar to what was done for the India tour, except for North Road for which the Police will be issuing a missive on the traffic arrangements there.

Plummer said the entire area stretching from North Road straight across to Church Street will be blocked off while the mall will be restricted.

As for the sterile area around the ground, no one will be permitted through the barriers unless they have a ticket.

No loitering and no vending will be permitted and vendors will have to stay outside of the sterile area; should they venture in they would be removed.

No loitering will be permitted and anybody in the sterile area should only be moving from the barrier to the ground.

Only cars with authorised passes will be allowed in the area and any cars without the authorised passes will be in danger of being towed away, Plummer pointed out. The GCB will issue passes to the authorised vehicles and these will be honoured, he said. All others will have to park outside of the sterile area. He urged spectators to be on the lookout for those who want to make the cricket a bad show and deal with them.

Adding his bit on security, GCB secretary Bishwa Panday pointed out that Guyanese should recognise the emergence of several top class venues in the region and that there could be cases where the behavioural pattern of the patrons might be taken into consideration in the awarding of matches, and Guyanese should be wary of this, hence they should be of good behaviour.

Meanwhile, the Australian High Commissioner to the Caribbean was scheduled to meet with the top brass of the Guyana Police Force on security arrangements for the Australians who were due to arrive in the country last night.