The Government is encouraging employers to make use of the Flexible Work Arrangements Act 2014 after the work-from-home Order is lifted on June 1. The Order was enacted in March as part of measures to contain the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Jamaica. During a digital press conference at Jamaica House on Tuesday (May 26), Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness,...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Jamaicans on the Norwegian and Carnival Glory vessels currently docked in Falmouth, Trelawny, will be processed in coming days. Speaking at a digital press conference at Jamaica House on Tuesday (May 26), the Prime Minister said the same protocols and procedures used for the Royal Caribbean cruise line will be used...

The Government will provide transportation for persons employed at infirmaries and homes for the aged as part of continued measures to minimise transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19). This was disclosed by Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, at a virtual press conference held at Jamaica House on Tuesday (May 26). “One of the initiatives that we intend...

Mayor of St. Ann’s Bay, Councillor Michael Belnavis, is appealing for residents to continue to exercise vigilance against dengue even as the country grapples with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Speaking with JIS News on Monday (May 25), Mayor Belnavis argued that dengue remains “a clear and present danger”, which is why the St. Ann Municipal Corporation had encouraged residents to...

Jamaica continues to see acceleration in recoveries from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic with 238 patients recovered to date and more than 100 in the last week. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, gave the update during a digital press conference on Tuesday (May 26). He informed that eight new cases of the virus were confirmed over the last 24...

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is reporting that the coronavirus (COVID-19) Call Centre at the University of the West Indies (UWI) handled a total of 7,376 calls during its first month of operations from April 6 to May 6. Of the total calls, 91 per cent were outbound. Referrals from parish health departments for follow-up accounted for 2,165 or...

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director, Dr. Carissa Etienne, is calling on member countries to implement “aggressive” preventive measures to safeguard persons with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) against the coronavirus (COVID-19). Speaking during PAHO’s weekly COVID-19 digital media briefing on Tuesday (May 26), Dr. Etienne cites the disproportionate impact of the virus on people suffering from NCDs, including cancer, hypertension, diabetes,...