Jamaica has recorded its first imported case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, provided details at a press conference at the Ministry of Health and Wellness in New Kingston, on Tuesday (March 10). Dr. Tufton pointed out that the patient is in isolation at the University Hospital of the West Indies...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, is imploring Jamaicans not to embark on panic buying. Speaking at Progressive Grocers’ 20th Anniversary Banquet at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Monday (March 9), just hours before Jamaica confirmed its first case of COVID-19, Mr. Holness said he has been assured by players in the retail industry that there...

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett and Health & Wellness Minister, Hon. Dr Christopher Tufton today said that the world's major Cruise Lines have committed to working closely with the government regarding stringent health protocols for visiting ships, in wake of Covid-19. This commitment follows a crucial meeting Friday [March 6, 2020] with the executives of MSC and Carnival Cruise...

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is currently monitoring a patient in isolation. The person of interest presented at hospital on Monday, March 9, with some respiratory symptoms and checks revealed that the patient’s travel history included travel to a country that has confirmed of COVID-19. Samples have been taken and sent to the National Influenza Centre for testing. The...

The Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) says the nation’s immigration officers are adequately prepared to monitor all official and unofficial entry points into the country for the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. Speaking with JIS News, PICA’s Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Wynter, said immigration officers have been educated about the necessary precautionary measures to take following the outbreak...

Governor-General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, has made a call for the global community to work collaboratively to combat the coronavirus (COVID-19). The Governor-General, who was addressing the annual Diplomatic Week dinner at King’s House on Thursday (March 5), said the outbreak of the virus, which has affected more than 70 countries, to date, “underscores the interconnected...

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) is to receive 20 new garbage trucks in May, says Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie. The trucks are the first of 120 additional units being procured by the Government to significantly boost the NSWMA fleet in order to improve garbage collection across the island. Minister McKenzie, who was...