Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Collette Roberts-Risden, is encouraging pensioners to utilise the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) Direct Deposit Payment system. Speaking with JIS News, Mrs. Roberts-Risden said the system will assist this group in complying with the Government’s social distancing protocol, which was implemented to protect citizens, particularly vulnerable groups, including the elderly and...

The number of confirmed cases of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Jamaica has risen to 233 as at Tuesday (April 21). The 10 new additions are comprised of five employees of the Ministry of Health and Wellness who are contacts of a confirmed case; three who form a part of the workplace cluster in St Catherine and two who...

All Cabinet members have been tested for the coronavirus (COVID-19), the results of which are negative. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, provided details at a virtual press conference held on Monday (April 20), at Jamaica House. “On Friday (April 17), you may have noticed that we did not have our usual press briefing, that is because we all...

State Minister for Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, says that this year’s Child Month theme, ‘Unplug Negativity, Connect Positivity…Think!’, is timely as Jamaica and the rest of the world grapple with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. He said that the theme emphasises the importance of helping children to embrace the positive aspects of the pandemic, such as spending more...

The Government is making arrangements to repatriate the 43 crew members aboard the Marella Discovery 2 cruise ship, which is now docked in the United Kingdom (UK). The ship was in Jamaican waters for refueling on April 2, when a request was made for the Jamaicans on board to disembark for repatriation, but the vessel left before the Government’s approval...

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) has secured some $24.6 million in refunds for customers for the 2019/20 financial year. In an interview with JIS News, Communications Specialist at the CAC, Dorothy Campbell, said the agency does not retain any of the funds. “We keep getting requests for advice [and] we have had 654 requests. Persons making a purchase or signing...

All Jamaicans have now been mandated to wear a mask, once they are in the public space. The Government had previously ordered persons with flu-like symptoms and respiratory illnesses, individuals over the age of 65, persons caring for someone at home with a flu-like or respiratory illness, and others with co-morbid conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension, to wear a...