Jamaica has recorded its first confirmed case of monkeypox. Making the announcement during a virtual press conference on Wednesday (July 6), Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, said the male patient who recently travelled from the United Kingdom is in isolation and is being treated. “He presented to the public health system on July 5, having...

Training has started for persons who will work on the 15th Population and Housing Census. Director General, Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), Carol Coy, told JIS News that approximately 9,000 census takers and supervisors will be trained in four rounds of training, ending on August 24. So far, persons from Trelawny Northern, St. James, Hanover, Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth have...

Approximately 474,550 postpaid residential customers who consumed fewer than 200 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity in April, received a 20 per cent contribution towards their bill payment, at a total cost of $501 million. Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, said this was reflected on May bills. He added that 9,235 prepaid customers received...

The Government has, so far, received 3,000 applications from operators of licensed public passenger vehicles (PPV) for the gas relief grant. This was disclosed by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, in a Statement to the House of Representatives on July 5. “Payments will commence in two weeks for applicants verified as having duly...

The Global Services Sector (GSS) Project is aimed at providing Jamaicans with the requisite skills and training to attract foreign direct investment and other positive outcomes. Speaking at a recent JIS Think Tank session on the new High School Immersion Bootcamp Training Programme offered under the GSS Project, Programme Director, Marjorie Straw, said that skills and training are important considerations...

To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public services, the Government will be launching a Service Excellence Policy on Wednesday, July 13. The policy is part of a wider modernisation initiative being implemented by the Public Sector Modernisation Division (PSMD) in the Office of the Cabinet. It was approved by Cabinet in March 2022. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew...

Commissioner of Police, Major General Antony Anderson, says subsequent to the declaration of the State of Public Emergency in St. Catherine on June 17, murders declined by 81 per cent, while shootings reduced by 56 per cent. The enhanced security measure was announced by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, on June 17, to address the high level of...