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Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness addressing the media at a press conference at Jamaica House on Thursday (March 12).
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness addressing the media at a press conference at Jamaica House on Thursday (March 12).

Do Not Go To Health Facilities If You Have Symptoms of COVID-19 – PM

The Government is imploring persons, who believe that they may have symptoms of the coronavirus (COVID-19), to not go directly to health facilities, but instead, call the Ministry of Health and Wellness helpline for assistance. This will limit the health...
Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett (left), addressing a press briefing on Friday (March 13), at the Ministry
Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett (left), addressing a press briefing on Friday (March 13), at the Ministry's offices in New Kingston. Beside him is Permanent Secretary, Jennifer Griffith.

Carnival Postponed Until October
Mayor of Kingston, Senator Councillor Delroy Williams, addressing a meeting of the Parish Disaster Committee on Friday (March 13), at the Corporation’s offices in downtown Kingston. At right is Town Clerk, Robert Hill.
Mayor of Kingston, Senator Councillor Delroy Williams, addressing a meeting of the Parish Disaster Committee on Friday (March 13), at the Corporation’s offices in downtown Kingston. At right is Town Clerk, Robert Hill.

Coronation Market to Close Saturday Night for Sanitisation
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (right), updates the media on action taken to quarantine the Seven and Eight Miles communities in St. Andrew to halt the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), at a press briefing, on Friday (March 13), at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kingston. With the Prime Minister are Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton; and Chief Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor McKenzie.
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (right), updates the media on action taken to quarantine the Seven and Eight Miles communities in St. Andrew to halt the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), at a press briefing, on Friday (March 13), at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kingston. With the Prime Minister are Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton; and Chief Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor McKenzie.

Seven And Eight Miles Communities Under Quarantine
Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, addresses the media at a press conference, held at Jamaica House, on Thursday (March 12).
Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, addresses the media at a press conference, held at Jamaica House, on Thursday (March 12).

TAJ Extends Deadline For Filing Tax Returns

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CoronavirusOffice of the Prime Minister

Jamaica Declared a Disaster Area as COVID-19 Cases Increase and Two Communities Quarantined

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced the declaration of the entire island of Jamaica a Disaster Zone as a result of the effects of the global pandemic - the coronavirus (COVID-19). Already eight persons have tested positive for the virus in Jamaica. Prime Minister Holness announced the declaration last evening (March 13) under the powers provided to him under Section 26...
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Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange.
CoronavirusCultureSport

Ministry Closes Cultural, Sport Facilities in Light of COVID-19

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced the closure of cultural and sport facilities, including museums, galleries, and stadia run by the government. Minister Grange says the closures — with effect from Saturday, 14 March 2020 — are in keeping with the Government’s strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Jamaica and...
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Principal Medical Officer, National Epidemiologist, Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Karen Webster-Kerr.
CommunityCoronavirus

Churchgoers Should Practise Social Distancing

Ministers, pastors and church leaders are being advised to encourage churchgoers to practise social distancing, in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) Principal Medical Officer, National Epidemiologist, Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Karen Webster-Kerr, told JIS News that pastors should inform their congregation about the need to practise social distancing, which keeps people from interacting closely or frequently enough...
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Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (second left), speaks at a special meeting to discuss the response of the Ministry, agencies and municipal corporations to the coronavirus (COVID-19), on March 13, at the Ministry in Kingston. With the Minister are Director of Health Promotion and Protection, Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Simone Spence; and Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Stewart Beckford.
CommunityCoronavirus

Access To Infirmaries Restricted

Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says access to the island’s 16 infirmaries and golden age home is restricted, effective immediately, as part of containment activities related to the coronavirus (COVID-19). A 30-day restriction on receiving new clients into these facilities is also to be implemented. The Minister, who was speaking at a special meeting to discuss...
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Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton (centre), speaks at a meeting with stakeholders in western Jamaica, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, St. James, on Friday (March 13). Listening (from left) are Custos of St. James, Bishop the Hon. Conrad Pitkin; and Regional Technical Director, Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), Dr. Dianne Campbell Stennett.
Coronavirus

Government Taking Steps To Contain Community Spread Of COVID-19

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon Christopher Tufton, says the Government is taking the necessary steps to contain “community spread” of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), following two confirmed cases via local transmission, early today (March 13). Jamaica now has eight confirmed cases of the virus, with six of those cases being imported. “We anticipate that community spread is evitable,...
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Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, making a statement in the House of Representatives on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), on Thursday (March 12).
CoronavirusHealth & WellnessParliament

Health Minister Says There Is An Adequate Supply Of Protective Equipment

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, says there is an adequate supply of protective equipment in inventory for frontline medical staff. Healthcare workers rely on personal protective equipment to safeguard themselves and their patients from being infected and infecting others. “To the extent that there may be cases where persons feel exposed, either because they have...
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Poison Information Coordinator at the Caribbean Poison Information Network, Sherika Whitelocke-Ballingsingh.
CoronavirusHealth & Wellness

Persons Warned Not To Mix Household Chemicals

The Caribbean Poison Information Network (CARPIN) is warning members of the public to desist from mixing household chemicals to create sanitising agents. In an interview with JIS News, Poison Information Coordinator, Sherika Whitelocke-Ballingsingh, said it has come to the attention of her office that persons have been mixing cleaning agents in an effort to make them stronger and more effective...
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