Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) President, Richard Pandohie, is urging greater adherence by more Jamaicans to the Government’s coronavirus (COVID-19) infection prevention and control measures. He says this is imperative to stem the current surge in COVID-19 cases, which have spiraled past 36,000 with more than 530 deaths, and eventually flatten the local outbreak. Mr. Pandohie tells JIS News...

The pilot for the E-commerce National Delivery System (ENDS), gets under way on Friday (March 26) in Portmore, St. Catherine. ENDS is a partnership between the Government of Jamaica and the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ). It will allow the quick service industry and delivery operators registered on the ENDS platform to operate during the hours of the curfew...

Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) wishes to advise the public, that consequent on the recent announcement by the Prime Minister of the increased COVID-19 restrictions, the Tax Authority has been authorized to adjust its closing time to 1:00 pm on Friday, March 26, Thursday, April 1 and Friday, April 9, 2021. This means that all Revenue Service Centres, Tax Offices and the Stamp Office will be open to the public...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says he is confident that the measures put in place by the Government to contain transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19), will bring the numbers down. “The measures that we have put in place… will have a lag effect. So measures that we put in place two weeks ago, we are not going to...

The National Water Commission (NWC) wishes to advise its customers that all its commercial offices will close at 12 p.m. on Friday, March 26, 2021. This closure is being done based on the recent directive from Prime Minister Andrew Holness to help curb the spread of COVID-19 in Jamaica. Based on the curfew measures, the commercial offices will also be...

Further to the announcement of extended curfew hours under the Disaster Risk Management Enforcement Measures, the Registrar General's Department wishes to advise its valued customers that all RGD offices will be closed to the public on March 26, April 1 and April 9 2021 respectively. The following services will be temporarily suspended as follows:- Next Day Service - March 25-26...

The House of Representatives on Tuesday (March 23) passed legislation that will introduce a specific enforceable system of sanctions against persons who breach the public health protocols. This includes fixed penalties ranging from $3,000 to $500,000. The Bill, entitled, The Disaster Risk Management (Amendment) Act, was passed with two amendments. Since March 10, 2020, the Government has employed the Disaster...

Further to the announcement of extended curfew hours under the Disaster Risk Management Enforcement Measures, the Registrar General's Department wishes to advise its valued customers that all RGD offices will be closed at 10:30am to the public on March 26th, April 1 and April 9, 2021 respectively. We apologise for any inconvenience that his may cause. Please be reminded that...

The first coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination blitz, mainly targeting persons 75 years and older, is set for Saturday, March 27 at the National Arena in St. Andrew via appointment scheduling. This was announced by Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, who said the exercise is aimed at inoculating approximately 1,000 persons. “This is the blitz centre approach...

All places of worship will be allowed to host services with a maximum of 12 persons, between 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., until April 13. This forms part of the revised measures under the Disaster Risk Management Act to contain the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), which were announced by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, during a COVID-19...

Hospitals facing COVID-19 bed shortages; burials to be permitted under tight restrictions and Gov’t to introduce initiative allowing restaurants and food vendors to open beyond curfew hours.

The Government has partnered with the private sector to develop the E-commerce National Delivery Solution (ENDS), which will enable business continuity during the coronavirus (COVID-19) curfew hours. ENDS will allow any business or vendor to connect to and leverage the islandwide network of delivery solutions to have their goods transported safely and securely to clients. Any compliant business, taxi or...

The Victim Services Division (VSD) is encouraging employers to take advantage of its grief and stress management training sessions as a way of providing support to staff members. The VSD, which operates under the Ministry of Justice, has a core mandate of facilitating healing and therapeutic intervention for victims of crime. In addition to this core responsibility, the counsellors within...

Mayor of Falmouth and Chairman of the Trelawny Municipal Corporation, Councillor Colin Gager, has called on all public officials to get vaccinated against the coronavirus (COVID 19). Speaking at the monthly meeting of the municipal corporation on Thursday, (March 11), Mayor Gager volunteered to be “next in line” to receive the vaccine. He said that taking the injection is not...

In light of the country’s increasing coronavirus (COVID-19) positivity rate, Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, is urging Jamaicans to comply with the measures implemented to reduce its spread. These measures include physical distancing, staying at home, avoiding crowded situations, frequently washing and sanitising hands and surfaces, adhering to curfew hours, wearing masks, and obeying the...

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced new and stricter COVID-19 measures under the Disaster Risk Management Act, effective March 1. The Government has implemented these measures amid an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations. According to Prime Minister Holness, the Government has been forced to shift policy efforts in order to preserve lives and livelihoods. “We have to take these drastic actions...

Government extends 8 pm to 5 am curfew, South Eastern Regional Health Authority to take over management of St Joseph’s Hospital and McCam centre approved as government aided institution.

The Cabinet has decided on the following measures: The islandwide nightly 8 pm to 5 am curfew is being extended for the period February 24 – March 1, 2021. Accordingly, the curfew will commence at 8 pm on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 until 5 am the following morning, ending at 5 am Monday, March 1, 2021. The public gathering limit...

As Jamaica prepares to receive its first shipment of vaccines, Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness is appealing for citizens to not become complacent regarding the gravity of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and to continue to adhere to the infection prevention and control measures. He said that the situation demands continued vigilance as it will take some time for...

Medical Officer of Health for Westmoreland, Dr. Marcia Graham, is encouraging residents not to become complacent in adhering to COVID-19 protocols in the parish. She was addressing the monthly meeting of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation in Savanna-la-Mar on February 11. Dr. Graham informed that as of February 11, there were 844 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Westmoreland and 29 confirmed deaths...