The COVID-19 Economic Recovery Taskforce notes the recent projections of the PIOJ for economic contraction of 12% - 14% for the quarter April 2020 – June 2020 as well as the latest updates from the Ministry of Health and Wellness. All Jamaicans have an interest in Jamaica’s economic recovery and public health safety. These are not mutually exclusive objectives but...

Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Hon. Fayval Williams, has reiterated the Government’s commitment to upgrade and strengthen the country’s information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure. “As a Ministry, we are taking the bold steps to strengthen our ICT infrastructure to ensure that Jamaica enters the digital future with modern legislation and that all our citizens will have access to...

Jamaica has received US$1 million from the United Nations (UN) to boost the country’s response to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic in the areas of health and social services. The support was provided under the UN’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF), through which 47 countries across the globe have been earmarked for assistance in enhancing services to crucial...

As at Wednesday (May 27), recovery numbers climbed to 279 as 12 more patients were released from isolation today. In the meantime, five (5) samples have tested positive for COVID-19, which brings the total confirmed cases in Jamaica to 569. The five new confirmed cases include: four females and one male, who range in age from 32-46 years and are...

Senior Medical Officer (SMO) at the National Chest Hospital, Dr. Terry Baker, is warning that tobacco smoking facilitates coronavirus (COVID-19) by creating an enabling environment for the virus to work in the body. Speaking at a JIS ‘Think Tank’ today (May 27), Dr. Baker, who is also a Board member of the Jamaica Coalition for Tobacco Control, said that tobacco...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, is appealing for Jamaicans repatriated under the controlled re-entry protocols to follow the rules outlined by the Government to contain the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). “I take this opportunity to appeal to Jamaicans returning home that you have a duty to follow the rules, the protocols, the measures in place, and to...

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development is collaborating with the Ministry of Justice to ensure that bar operators have the necessary permits required under law. Speaking at a virtual press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister on Tuesday (May 26), Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said findings from a survey of more...