The Ministry of Finance and the Public Service is in the implementation phase of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). These are a set of accounting principles issued by the IPSAS Board for use by public-sector entities around the world in the preparation of financial statements. Adoption of IPSAS by governments improves both the quality and comparability of financial...

Principal Medical Officer and National Epidemiologist, Dr. Karen Webster-Kerr, is calling on persons who are experiencing unexplained respiratory symptoms to seek advice from their local doctors before contacting the national COVID-19 hotlines for assistance. This, she said, is to ensure that symptoms are properly assessed by a trained professional, so that persons can be appropriately advised quickly on how to...

The Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) is encouraging Jamaicans planning to return home to keep abreast of the necessary precautionary steps to take upon arrival, amidst the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID 19). Speaking with JIS News, PICA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Andrew Wynter, said it is critical that citizens learn the appropriate steps that they need to...

The Westmoreland Health Department has intensified its public sensitisation efforts in order to arm residents with the necessary information to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). In an interview with JIS News, Health Promotion and Education Officer, Gerald Miller, said that a “more integrated approached” is being undertaken involving various personnel. He said that persons employed as temporary...

The Court Administration Division (CAD) is assessing its operations to determine how best staff should be deployed amid the local transmissions of COVID-19. Chief Justice, Bryan Sykes said the functioning of the courts is vital to society, making it crucial for the judiciary “to arrange itself to uphold its fundamental constitutional obligation, in a manner that protects the health and...

The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) has made adjustments to its operations as part of its effort to contain the risk of transmission of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Speaking with JIS News, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the JBDC, Valerie Veira, said the organisation will not be facilitating face-to-face consultations/meetings or walk-ins, effective Wednesday, March 18 until Tuesday, March 24....

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information has partnered with the RJRGLEANER Communications Group to deliver live interactive teaching sessions across all its media platforms for high school students in Jamaica. The agreement will see the RJRGLEANER brands - Television Jamaica (TVJ), The Gleaner’s Youth Link, Music 99FM, jamaicagleaner.com, televisionjamaica.com, Television Jamaica You Tube, Jamaica News Network (JNN) and 1spotmedia...