The Government is thinking about building a new health facility on the grounds of one of the country's existing hospitals, instead of going ahead with its plan to set up a 72-bed field hospital at the National Arena in Kingston. Responding to questions at the weekly COVID-19 Conversations virtual press conference at the Ministry of Health and Wellness in Kingston...

Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) Governor, Richard Byles, says the anticipated gradual recovery of economic activity from the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) is expected to result in improvements in the current account deficit of the balance of payments (BOP). He was speaking at the Central Bank’s digital quarterly press conference held on Wednesday (May 20). Mr. Byles noted that due...

Jamaica is getting additional funding from the European Union (EU) to respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic through an €8-million grant for regional countries. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, told JIS News that the funds have been approved and will be channelled through the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), and Jamaica has...

Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw, is encouraging micro small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to adopt the Ministry’s Business Continuity Plan aimed at mitigating against risks and failures. “What is of grave concern is how prepared our businesses are to utilize the digital mode of operation. COVID-19 has put a wrench in the operation of many local...

The Westmoreland Municipal Corporation will be moving its operations to a new building at the beginning of next month. The new location will be on Murray Street in the capital, Savanna-la-Mar. Speaking with JIS News, Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar, Councillor Bertel Moore, said the new administrative building will house the Planning Department, Accounts Department, Disaster Risk Management office, Council Chamber, municipal...

The Data Protection Act, which will enshrine, in law, measures to protect the privacy and personal information of Jamaicans, was passed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 19). The Bill seeks to define the general principles for the treatment of personal data and provide for transparent oversight that will enable the public and private sectors to strengthen the...

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is advanced in establishing a special multi-agency, anti-gang task force, focused on guns, gangs and dons and their proceeds. This was disclosed by Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, as he tabled the report of the Joint Select Committee established to review and report on the Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organisations) Act,...