Changes To Curfew Hours

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, on Tuesday (June 1) announced changes to the curfew hours.

The new hours will be in place from June 3, 2021 to July 1, 2021.

Speaking in the House of Representatives, Mr. Holness said the curfew hours for weekdays have been recrafted, and will now be from 9:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m.

“For weekends, the curfew will begin at 8:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and at 2:00 p.m. on Sundays and end at 5:00 a.m. the following morning,” Mr. Holness said.

The Prime Minister explained to the Lower House that the hours were adjusted to allow for greater commerce during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I think that is significant and I know small business people and large business people may not be satisfied…   they were lobbying for 10:00 p.m., but we have done what we believe is necessary to allow commerce and at the same time prevent a rapid increase in the numbers,” Mr. Holness said.

“So, on Saturdays two more hours have been given, which I think will be useful. Sundays remain the same and we had to do that as a kind of compensatory measure, just to make sure that we slow the numbers that could occur,” he added.

The Prime Minister stressed that it is critical that all Jamaicans remain cautious and diligent in observing the protocols to prevent the spread of the virus.

“Let us not repeat the mistakes of the past. Let us view the recrafting of the measures not as a licence for a free for all but as an opportunity to safely pursue our livelihoods and other activities that enhance our spiritual and mental health needs. Let us exercise personal responsibility to prevent a third wave that would force us to tighten the measures once again,” Mr. Holness said.