Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says it is not his intention to hold an election while sections of the island are under States of Public Emergency (SOEs). “I had said I would not want elections under a state of public emergency. It is not my intention to hold any elections with SOEs in place. I do not want,...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, is warning criminals who are seeking to use the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis to continue their criminal activities that the Government will not relent in its crime-fighting efforts. He said that maintaining law and order is paramount even as the public health measures are enforced to combat COVID-19. “There are organised criminal gangs who...

All Jamaicans have now been mandated to wear a mask, once they are in the public space. The Government had previously ordered persons with flu-like symptoms and respiratory illnesses, individuals over the age of 65, persons caring for someone at home with a flu-like or respiratory illness, and others with co-morbid conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension, to wear a...

Following extensive debate on the measures in Parliament  late last night and further consultations and review which are still ongoing to finalize the Gazette of the Orders, the Government of Jamaica is indicating: 1. The final Gazette to be published tonight. Media personnel will remain exempted and will be allowed to move about in pursuit of their mandate during the...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says instructions have been given to the Ministry of Health and Wellness to rapidly expand testing for COVID-19. “This is why they have rolled out the [mobile units]. They are going to be increasing the number of tests done,” Mr. Holness said in a statement to the House of Representatives on Wednesday (April...

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced that all Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) operators in St. Catherine have been closed effective yesterday, April 15, 2020. Prime Minister Holness explained in Parliament yesterday (April 15) that the closure is to facilitate an investigation into the management structure to identify the cause for the rapid COVID-19 spread. “The closure is necessary for us...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, on Wednesday (April 15) announced the implementation of stringent measures for the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector. This comes as 52 of Jamaica’s 143 confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19). to date, have been linked to the Alorica BPO operation in Portmore, St. Catherine. The Prime Minister informed that all BPOs have been...