The Government has announced the phased re-opening of beaches and rivers. Effective Sunday ( June 7), persons can visit public beaches licensed under the Beach Control Act during the operating hours from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 pm and rivers from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said the relaxation of the...

Disaster and emergency response and health officials have offered tips to members of the public on how they should prepare for taking refuge at another residence or in a community shelter, in the event of a pending hurricane. One key advice is to prepare an emergency bag with essentials that are easily identifiable and accessible that you can take with...

Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Stewart Beckford, says $30 million is being spent to rehabilitate the Black River Fire Station in St. Elizabeth. "We have already commenced preliminary work, in terms of the processes we will go through," he told JIS News. Mr. Stewart pointed out that the project is being carried out in two phases, adding that...

The Ministries of Health and Wellness and Local Government and Community Development are working on plans for the effective management of shelters and the protection of the vulnerable population during the hurricane season. Among the objectives is to ensure that social distancing is maintained in order to prevent an outbreak of the coronavirus (COVD-19). “As we live with COVID-19 going...

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) is calling on all Jamaicans to join the campaign against illegal dumping, particularly on National Solid Waste Day, June 6. The day will be observed under the theme ‘SOLID: Stamp Out Littering and Illegal Dumping’. It forms part of National Environmental Awareness Week, which runs from June 1 to 8. “We want to...

Long-term planning, infrastructural investments and individual responsibility are key to how we prepare for major disaster events, says Director of the Disaster Risk Reduction Centre (DRRC) at the University of the West Indies, Dr. Barbara Carby. Speaking at a virtual town hall meeting held by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development on May 28, Dr. Carby underscored the...

Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Stewart Beckford, says the entity is looking to identify a suitable site in the Balaclava area of St. Elizabeth to construct an additional fire station to serve the parish. “We have had discussions [with] the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development and our Board, with a view to try and identify a...