When Joe* took up a job opportunity to teach English in Zhejiang province in the People’s Republic of China, he never envisaged being at the epicentre of one of the most devastating global pandemics ever – the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Joe, who commenced the temporary teaching post in September 2019, had only been in China for five months when...

The Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) is implementing measures to stimulate economic activity as the country grapples with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  The objective is to ensure that the economy can bounce back quickly once the worst has passed. President of JAMPRO, Diane Edwards, tells JIS News that focus is being placed on agriculture and agribusiness through, among other things, helping farmers to access new markets.  “We...

With a well-documented history of assistance to the island’s health and education sectors, the Issa Trust Foundation, under the leadership of Chairman, Paul Issa, and the patronage of Their Excellencies, the Most Hon. Sir Patrick and Lady Allen, has joined in the fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19). The Foundation, the non-profit arm of Couples Resorts Jamaica, has donated US$238,000 (J$32...

Several private sector companies are implementing the safeguards and health protocols announced by the Government to contain the outbreak and reduce transmission the Coronavirus (COVID-19). This is evident at businesses and financial institutions where sanitising stations have been set up or personnel assigned to administer sanitising products; space demarcations for client queues, in keeping with the social distancing policy; and...

The Portland-based Mount Pleasant Primary and Infant School, through its Giving Hands Foundation, is reaching out to less fortunate persons in the community. Through funds donated by staff members, food and other essential items are purchased and distributed to individuals in need. Founder of the group and guidance counsellor at the school, Andrea Farquharson, tells JIS News that students play...

The Government’s decision to impose nightly islandwide curfews from April 1 to April 8 to slow down the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) has received the support of business leaders. The virus has, so far, claimed one life and infected 36 persons locally. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, who announced the measure at Monday’s (March 30) virtual press...

The Ministry of Health and Wellness has been working assiduously to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which is infecting thousands of persons worldwide and leaving a trail of death in its wake. Jamaica’s response, which has been considered quick and effective, has earned high commendation internationally, the most significant of which is the World Health Organization (WHO),...

Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ) President, Hugh Johnson, says he is “very optimistic” that the country can recover from the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. He tells JIS News that while further slowing down of economic activity is anticipated, “I do not think an outright lockdown is looming”. “We have a cadre of leaders instituting interventions, who I...

More than guaranteeing a speedy conviction, plea bargaining provides benefits for multiple interests involved in a criminal matter, including victims of crime, while ensuring the integrity of the justice system. Plea bargaining involves negotiations between the attorney for the defendant and the prosecutor, where the defendant decides to plead guilty in exchange for an agreement by the prosecutor to vary...