Some 100 students who attend Anchovy High school in St. James have been vaccinated against the coronavirus (COVID-19), at a vaccination blitz held at the institution on November 25. The event targeted students and parents, as the administration pushes to get 65 percent of the student population vaccinated to facilitate the resumption of face-to-face classes. The blitz was hosted in...

Jamaica has, with immediate effect, imposed restrictions on travelers from a number of African countries, following the emergence of the new variant of concern for the SARS-CoV-2, initially identified as B.1.1.529. The countries are: Botswana; Eswatini (formerly Swaziland); Lesotho; Malawi; Mozambique; Namibia; South Africa; and Zimbabwe.   NON-NATIONALS All persons who are not citizens or permanent residents of Jamaica and...

Minister with responsibility for Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw, is calling on stakeholders in the sugar industry to work with the Government to identify solutions to current weaknesses and impediments, in order to promote a thriving sector that can meet market demands. “Together we must find the right parameters for a sustainable Jamaican sugar industry – cane farmers, investors,...

   

Jamaica’s burgeoning film industry earned approximately US$236 million from 47 productions undertaken during the 2020/21 year, while generating 867 jobs. This was disclosed by Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Audley Shaw, who said the outcome mainly resulted from portfolio agency, Jamaica Promotions Corporation’s (JAMPRO) work in actively promoting film as a viable local investment opportunity. He was speaking...

The Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) on Friday (November 26) launched its e-learning digital platform. The software solution is designed to facilitate the delivery of accredited online certification courses to staff as well as local and regional border security officials and law-enforcement agents. The system is equipped with a range of capabilities, including training and evaluation and third-party integration...

Acting Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Richard Thompson, says that reducing the impact of natural hazards on sectors such as agriculture is critical in building a resilient economy. “When you talk about food safety, it is important that we are placing priority on building resilience in the agricultural sector,” he said. “Here in...