The Christmas season is now upon us, and many will be in pursuit of various items to help celebrate the period. It is advisable that consumers shop in a way that will protect their safety, get good value for money and use time wisely. Shopping Safely Be careful when using…
The benefits of buying and eating local produce are continuously highlighted by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF). This is part of the Government’s efforts to encourage economic growth and improve the health of the citizens. Listed below are some health and economic benefits of buying local…
The Internet is an easy and convenient way to conduct everyday business and communicate with others. However, the medium is not without its perils. Below are some tips to help you to protect yourself and your information while online. 1. Be cautious about how you use your personal information. Never…
With the new school year well on its way, students would do well to assess and seek to improve their study strategies. Here are some tips that can help you to get the most from study sessions and make this school year a productive one: Before you start: • Take…
A power of attorney is the legal authorisation of a person (appointee) to act on the behalf of another (donor) in business, judicial or personal affairs. Authorisation is granted by the donor. The appointee may be anyone of the donor’s choosing, aged 18 years or older. Types There are several…
As of January 1, 2019 the Government will impose a ban on single use plastic bags, straws and Styrofoam. The ban covers the importation, manufacture and distribution of the materials. The plastic bags to be banned are those that are commonly referred to a ‘scandal bags’ or other bags with…
Starting in the 2018-2019 academic year, students will sit the Primary Exit Profile (PEP). PEP will replace the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) as the national secondary school placement test. The main objective of PEP is to enhance the academic and critical thinking capabilities, and creativity of students by the…
In an effort to improve the safety and security of Jamaican citizens, in March 2018 the Ministry of National Security implemented JamaicaEye. It is the national closed circuit television (CCTV) surveillance system that allows registered private citizens to share footage from their cameras with the local authorities free of cost.…
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is the most common non-communicable disease (NCD) in Jamaica and one of the five leading causes of death among the population. It is caused by abnormally high tension (or pressure) in the arteries – the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart…
Any offensive communication sent to an individual with the intent to cause harm and slander is referred to as Malicious Communication. Examples include: internet trolling, publishing and distributing obscene writings, drawings and photographs and making devices or data available to communicate in an offensive manner. In Jamaica persons who are…
Fire is a major cause of damage to property and physical infrastructure and loss of life, making safety measures imperative. Since the start of 2018, the Fire Prevention Unit of the Jamaica Fire Brigade has recorded 727 building fires, during which 25 lives were lost and 58 people were injured.…
Each year there is an increase in the number of persons who are victims or have been affected by intimate partner violence in Jamaica. To support the persons who have been affected there are a number of services provided by the State. At the legislative and policy level there are…
As part of its current push to help Jamaicans to make healthier food choices, the Ministry of Health (MOH) encourages reading and understanding food labels, particularly the nutrition facts. Doing so can help you follow a healthy diet and make it easier to select the most wholesome foods. Below is…
The Rent Assessment Board recommends the following guidelines towards maintaining a harmonious relationship between tenants and landlords. • The property should be kept in a habitable state • Deliberate destruction of the property, such as the cutting down of trees is illegal • Amenities should not be used in a…
The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) was established in 2005. It is located in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. The CCJ is the final Court of Appeal on civil and criminal matters for four CARICOM Members States, namely Barbados, Belize, Dominica and Guyana. Jamaica and other CARICOM countries are taking steps toward making…
Since the establishment of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), several institutions have been formed under its umbrella or with its collaboration. These are categorised into two sets, namely Community and Associate. Community Institutions are fully funded by CARICOM, whereas Associate Institutions are funded partly by CARICOM and partly by international donor…
The Conference of Heads of Government also known as the Conference is one of the most important arms of CARICOM. It was established in 1973 and is made up of the Heads of Government from the CARICOM’S 15 Member States. The first meeting held on July 15-18, 1974 in Castries,…
To lessen the rate of infant and maternal mortality the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the European Union, developed the Programme for the Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality (PROMAC). The programme is aligned to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5, which aim to reduce…
Effective May 31, 2018, Jamaica will have a second area code and ten-digit dialling will become mandatory. The island will be the first country in the English-speaking Caribbean to utilise an additional area code. It is expected that the new area code will provide an additional seven million numbers over…
A regular feature of life in the tropics – a hurricane is a powerful storm that can cause great damage to property and loss of life. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 yearly. The 2018 season is expected to be one of above-normal activity, with…
Jamaica Information Service