Ministers, pastors and church leaders are being advised to encourage churchgoers to practise social distancing, in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) Principal Medical Officer, National Epidemiologist, Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Karen Webster-Kerr, told JIS News that pastors should inform their congregation about the need to practise social distancing, which keeps people from interacting closely or frequently enough...

Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says access to the island’s 16 infirmaries and golden age home is restricted, effective immediately, as part of containment activities related to the coronavirus (COVID-19). A 30-day restriction on receiving new clients into these facilities is also to be implemented. The Minister, who was speaking at a special meeting to discuss...

The Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry is encouraging members of the business community and other stakeholders to work closely with health officials to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). President, Janet Silvera, told JIS News that members of her organisation have been advised to continue to follow best practices while taking into the account the welfare of their employees...

The St. James Municipal Corporation says as of April 1, 2020, businesses within the parish will be required to submit a business continuity plan, which seeks to mitigate risks associated with a disruption of operations in the event of a natural disaster. Parish Disaster Coordinator at the Municipal Corporation, Tamoy Sinclair, says the plan ensures that a company’s assets and...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says the Bailey bridge to be erected at the Riverton City landfill in Kingston, at a cost of $75 million, is slated for completion by January 2021. Mr. McKenzie said the temporary bridge, for which funding has been earmarked in the 2020/21 Estimates of Expenditure, will replace the existing structure...

Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, says the Government is building an economically viable and secure Jamaica on the foundations laid by National Hero, the Rt. Excellent, Sir Alexander Bustamante. He noted that Sir Alexander pursued “equity for the working class and fought to address the social and economic ills facing the masses.” “This Government will continue to...

Ninety-three persons from 18 communities across seven parishes have been trained and certified in advanced plumbing, leak detection and repairs under the Jamaica Social Investment Fund’s (JSIF) Alternative Livelihood Skills Programme (ALSP). They will work in their communities for three months as utility wardens to ensure that residents have access to plumbers with leak detection and water conservation expertise. They...