Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, is warning that tobacco use increases the risk of contracting the coronavirus (COVID-19) or severe complications associated with the disease. As such, he is appealing for persons who use tobacco to quit the habit. Dr. Tufton, in his World No Tobacco Day message on Sunday (May 31), pointed out that...

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director, Dr. Carissa Etienne, is calling on member countries to utilise data derived from surveillance activities to inform public health responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Speaking during PAHO’s weekly digital media briefing on Tuesday (June 2), Dr. Etienne encouraged countries not to “make decisions in the dark” but, rather, to draw on available data...

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) is calling on all Jamaicans to join the campaign against illegal dumping, particularly on National Solid Waste Day, June 6. The day will be observed under the theme ‘SOLID: Stamp Out Littering and Illegal Dumping’. It forms part of National Environmental Awareness Week, which runs from June 1 to 8. “We want to...

State Minister for Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, says that this year’s celebration of Child Month, while challenging, coming at a time when the globe is facing a pandemic, highlighted the resilience of the Jamaican people, particularly children. Mr. Terrelonge was bringing greetings at the National Day of Prayer, the final activity for Child Month 2020, which was...

Jamaica has recorded two new confirmed COVID-19 cases as at Monday (June 1). There are now 588 confirmed positives for the island. Recoveries are up by 11, bringing the total number of persons released from care to 322, also in the last 24 hours. The island now has a recovery rate of 54.8%. The two new cases are imported. Both...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Government is currently reviewing the Order pertaining to the closure of places of amusement, beaches and other attractions, with a view of reopening them in a limited and controlled manner. Mr. Holness, who was speaking at a virtual press conference on Sunday (May 31) at the Office of the Prime Minister...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says a robust set of protocols have been developed to protect tourism workers and provide other safeguards, as the industry prepares to restart operations that have been halted due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. “Our Ministry, along with the Ministry of Health [and Wellness], signed off [on May 31] with perhaps...