Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director, Dr. Carissa Etienne, says coronavirus (COVID-19) safeguards will remain pivotal to curtailing the spread of the disease, even after an approved vaccine has been identified. Speaking during PAHO’s COVID-19 digital briefing on Wednesday (September 23), Dr. Etienne noted that nearly 200 vaccine candidates are currently being studied, from which “we hope that one or...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the islandwide curfew the Government has implemented as one of the measures to manage the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), will be extended until Wednesday (October 7). “The islandwide curfew time will remain at 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.,” Mr. Holness advised, while addressing a digital press conference on Tuesday (September 22)....

The stay-at-home order for persons 70 years and older remains in place, but they are allowed to leave once per day for food, medicine, exercise and other necessities of life. This restriction forms part of the Government’s efforts to control community spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and to protect the most vulnerable from the virus. “Given the high vulnerability of...

The 15-person limit on public gatherings will remain in place until Tuesday, October 6 as the Government continues its efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), which is now in the community transmission phase. This was announced by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, who said the number of persons allowed to gather may be further reduced,...

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, has encouraged companies not to close workplaces when the coronavirus (COVID-19) is detected, as the Ministry and international health partners are recommending that cleaning can minimise the spread of the virus. “Remove those who are positive. Stopping your business may be counterproductive. You might have to stop it every day...

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) has been undertaking a survey of sanitisation and hygiene products retailed islandwide since March, when Jamaica recorded its first case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Chief Executive Officer, Dolsie Allen, said approximately 118 locations, including supermarkets and pharmacies, have been visited. “We actually surveyed 54 different products [including] disinfectants, hand sanitisers, antibacterial hand soaps, hydrogen...

The first of four field hospitals being established to provide 152 additional bed spaces to facilitate the treatment of persons with coronavirus (COVID-19) will be commissioned into service shortly. This was announced by Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, who noted that this initial 40-bed facility, which was provided in collaboration with the United States Government,...