Bank of Jamaica announces its decision to hold the policy interest rate (the rate offered to deposit-taking institutions on overnight placements with Bank of Jamaica) unchanged at 0.50 per cent per annum, effective Wednesday, 19 August 2020. Bank of Jamaica’s monetary policy decisions are aimed at ensuring that the annual increase in the prices of consumer goods and services remains...

Grants totalling approximately $9 million (€51,000) have been awarded to 12 mining and quarry operators under phase two of the African, Caribbean and Pacific-European Union (ACP-EU) Minerals Development Programme. The funds are being provided to assist the beneficiary individuals and entities in implementing activities to counter the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on their operations, with particular focus on...

Contact person for the United Kingdom (UK)-based New Direction Christian Fellowship, Leslie Washington (right), presents Acting Principal of the Kitson Town Primary School, Janice Yates, with one of two laptop computers, donated to the school at a handover ceremony at the institution, on August 17. The educational gifts consist of several personal items for students and scores of books for...

Coordinator of the Programme for the Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality (PROMAC) in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Simone Spence, says a whole-of-society approach is critical in effectively addressing the needs of pregnant women. She contended that when an expectant mother is fully supported in all areas of her life, throughout the antenatal and postnatal period, the...

With the increase in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Jamaica, districts in St. Thomas and Clarendon under quarantine, and 18 communities in Kingston and St. Andrew being monitored, there could be a delay in the planned reopening of schools in early September. Health and Wellness Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, gave an update during the question-and-answer segment of a virtual...

The Government has extended the quarantine and curfew measures for communities within the parishes of St. Thomas and Clarendon. The current measures will expire on Thursday, August 20. The extended measures are in response to continued transmission of COVID-19 within St. Thomas and Clarendon. The measures will run for a further 14 days ending September 2. Prime Minister Andrew Holness...

As at Monday (August 17), 16 new samples have tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total confirmed COVID-19 cases in Jamaica to 1,129. At the same time, recoveries remained at 764. (67.7% recovery rate). Of the newly confirmed cases, 11 are males and five are females, with ages ranging from 1year to 58 years. Two of the new cases...