Health and Wellness Minster, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, says that 16,096 persons were inoculated during the first week of the vaccination programme, representing 94 per cent of the 17,050 target. Those vaccinated include healthcare workers, the elderly, and members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). “This means we are just short six percentage...

The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) will be launching its ‘Go Digital’ technical assistance programme on April 1, geared at promoting the adoption of cutting-edge technology practices among micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). This was disclosed by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, during his contribution to the 2021/22 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives, on March...

The Government will be acquiring a genome sequencer that will be used to test samples to determine variants of viruses in Jamaica. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund will finance acquisition of the equipment, with the requisite accessories and reagents. He made the announcement during his 2021/22 Budget Debate...

The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) is advising agriculture and community tourism stakeholders who previously submitted business proposals for matching grant support, under phase two of the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI II) Project, that contact is currently being made with those who met the pre-qualification requirements under their initial assessment. Project Manager for REDI II at JSIF, Kemeisha Batchan,...

Minister of Tourism and Chair of the high-level Organization of American States (OAS) Working Group, that is currently developing an action plan, for the recovery of the cruise and airline industries, Edmund Bartlett, is calling for careful consideration of the universal recognition and interoperability of systems regarding COVID- 19 vaccines. The Minister made the call during yesterday’s 4th meeting of...

Owners and operators of gaming machines and prescribed premises are being reminded by the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) to renew their licences by April 1, 2021. Application forms are available on the BGLC website at www.bglc.gov.jm. Fees must first be paid to Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ), then to BGLC via Bill Express, online or any of their 200...

Thirty-five Department of Correctional Services (DCS) employees have benefited from life skills training aimed at building the entity’s capacity to better interact with and intervene in the lives of juvenile offenders. The four-day training-of-trainers virtual workshop, which took place last month, included staff at the Metcalfe Street and South Camp juvenile remand and correctional centres in Kingston, Hilltop Juvenile Correctional...