The Government will absorb the entire cost of approximately $64 million for the mandatory State quarantining of nationals returning to Jamaica on Wednesday (May 6) under the controlled re-entry programme. The 14-day quarantine costs US$100 per person, per day, for three daily meals and accommodation. It is a requirement for nationals who have been stranded abroad due to Jamaica’s borders...

The Government has implemented new protocols for the controlled re-entry of Jamaicans abroad, who can now apply through a new online immigration portal on the jamcovid19.moh.gov.jm website for authorisation to return home. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, speaking at a digital press conference at Jamaica House, in Kingston, on April 27, explained...

Jamaica has risen two places on the Global Press Freedom index, and now ranks sixth among 180 countries that most respect freedom of information.  Published annually by Reporters Without Borders, a non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) based in Paris, the index evaluates the level of freedom available to the media throughout the world. The new ranking was highlighted by Leader of Government Business in the Upper...

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director, Dr. Carissa Etienne, says the coronavirus (COVID-19) experience presents the opportunity for member states to prepare for future epidemics and pandemics. She noted that the lessons learnt will better enable countries to build resilience and scale up health systems to “deliver on all of the services that our people need, without causing them impoverishment”....

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...

Teachers are benefiting from virtual professional development online workshops delivered by volunteer instructors in the diaspora. This is being spearheaded by the Jamaica Diaspora Taskforce Action Network (JDTAN) through its ongoing weekly workshops, titled, JAMINARS. More than 2,000 teachers have registered for JAMINARS to date. The next JAMINAR, ‘Coping with COVID-19 – Selfcare for teachers and parents’, will be held...

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade is advising that it is in discussions with the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Embassy of the United States of America to identify any issues related to shipments of critical COVID 19 related material which may have an impact on the Jamaican Government’s response to the outbreak. Minister of Foreign...