Jamaica’s travel authorisation application process through the JamCOVID and Visit Jamaica online platforms has been significantly overhauled and simplified. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, said that the number of questions has been reduced and the speed of approval has increased. “Jamaican passport holders and tourists can now obtain expedited approvals within minutes of submitting their application, provided that...

The Westmoreland Health Department has recruited and trained 73 COVID-19 vaccine ‘ambassadors’ to help encourage greater take-up of the jab in the parish. The ambassadors, which consist of teachers, hotel managers and other professionals, were trained between October 19 and October 21. Speaking with JIS News, Parish Health Promotion and Education Officer, Gerald Miller, said the ambassadors, drawn from the...

On Sunday, October 31, the Lupus Foundation of Jamaica (LFJ), will stage a virtual symposium for persons who are beset by the disease, especially children, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The event will be held under the theme ‘Children and Youth with Lupus: Improving Outcomes Through Knowledge and Support’, and will feature local and international speakers placing the spotlight on improving...

Medical Officer of Health for the parish of Clarendon, Dr. Kimberly Scarlett-Campbell, is appealing to health workers to get vaccinated against the coronavirus (COVID-19). Speaking to JIS News at the Croft’s Hill Health Centre in the parish recently, she said it is important that persons who are delivering healthcare to the public, are protected against the deadly virus, noting that...

In the sphere of education, many of the measures that the Government of Jamaica has adopted in response to the global health crisis has been the suspension of face-to-face classes at all levels. The need to maintain educational continuity has however presented challenges to which schools have responded with different remote options. There have been increasing concerns regarding the number...

The Above Rocks Health Centre in St. Catherine has received a $2.7-million upgrade with funding from the German Government and the Charitable group, VFKE (Verein zur Forderung von Kleimprojekten). Speaking at the official handover of the facility on October 27, nurse at the centre, Johanna Burgher, said she was grateful for the donations, noting that a lot of persons in...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, is advising that only vaccinated persons can be allowed to attend events being hosted by public-sector entities. “These events that are held by public entities are to be controlled events, meaning that the space within which the event is kept, all the protocols must be observed, but it is not a free-access space...