The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce is working with the Ministry of Health & Wellness to improve the capacity of local laboratories to undertake coronavirus (COVID-19) tests and clamp down on unauthorised facilities. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw, said that as part of the process, private laboratories will be assisted to secure accreditation through the proper channels, in order...

Business operators and entrepreneurs are being encouraged by Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) to maintain proper records. Speaking at a ‘JBDC Virtual Biz Zone’ session, held recently under the theme: 'Statutory Obligations For MSMEs During COVID-19', Taxpayer Education Officer, Rogerlene Miller, explained that business records are to be maintained for a minimum of six years. “They are required by law to...

Chief Executive Officer of the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC), Dolsie Allen, is cautioning the public against seeking coronavirus (COVID-19) testing from unauthorised entities. “We are appealing to consumers, don’t support entities that are offering services that are not authorised. These are labs that have not been accredited. At the end of the day, you are the ones that are going...

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director, Dr. Carissa Etienne, says the entity will continue to work closely with stakeholders in member countries and at the regional level to assist them in managing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreaks, forecasting hospital bed requirements, and reducing transmission, particularly at the community level. “Very importantly, we are also actively reviewing the evidence and updating clinical management...

The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) has donated equipment, valued at $2.3 million, to boost the production and sustainability of 11 microenterprises in the community of Anchovy, St. James. This has been made under the Enterprise Development Project that is being implemented by JSIF, under the second phase of the Government’s Integrated Community Development Project (ICDP). The beneficiaries include farmers,...

The Office of the Children’s Advocate (OCA) will be establishing a Child Helpline to provide 24-hour assistance to children seeking its services. Children’s Advocate, Diahann Gordon Harrison, told JIS News that the OCA aims to launch the helpline in the first quarter of this year. “What we are doing is putting together a child helpline which provides remote and direct...

The Government will begin the roll out of Shared Corporate Services (SCS) next month, with the delivery of Human Resource (HR) Shared Services. Sixteen individuals from various entities across the public sector, who will be engaged in this pilot phase, have been trained and installed in their new posts. They will operate from the Shared Corporate Jamaica headquarters at 6...