The Government has extended the period for which persons can import Hurricane Melissa relief supplies without paying Customs Duty and General Consumption Tax (GCT). The measure, which was set to expire on November 28, has been moved to the end of December 2025. Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, made the announcement in a Statement in the House...

Damage to the country due to Hurricane Melissa is estimated at about US$6 billion to US$7 billion based on preliminary figures, says Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness. In a statement in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (Nov. 4), Dr. Holness said that the figure is equivalent to about 28 per cent to 32 per cent of...

Municipal Corporations that were not affected by the recent passage of Hurricane Melissa have been mobilised to assist those whose operations have been severely disrupted. This was stated by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, during the November 3 special media briefing at Jamaica House. “As you know, seven of the municipalities have been severely affected...

The Westmoreland Health Department is urging residents to remain vigilant against health risks, following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, which left widespread damage and disrupted water supplies across several communities. Chief Public Health Inspector for Westmoreland, Steve Morris, told JIS News that the department has observed significant public health concerns, particularly the emergence of new springs and surface water in...

The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) is reporting that 206,000 of its 550,000 customers have had their power restored. JPS President and Chief Executive Officer, Hugh Grant, made the disclosure during Monday’s (November 3) press briefing on Hurricane Melissa recovery activities, at Jamaica House. “We moved from 77 per cent of customers without service to... having just under 50 per...

The Ministry of Health and Wellness has activated an extensive national vector-control response following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, which left widespread flooding and conditions conducive to increased vector populations across several parishes. Speaking during a press conference at the Health Emergency Operations Centre in Kingston on November 1, Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, announced that more than...

Donations to the Government of Jamaica’s Hurricane Melissa Relief Fund, made through the official relief website – supportjamaica.gov.jm – are approaching US$1 million. Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, reported that as of 10:33 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, donations to the Fund had reached US$728,000 and J$38 million. “We’re getting to...