New Curfew Hours

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has announced a tightening of the islandwide curfew as the country continues to tackle the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The new curfew hours are from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily, beginning Wednesday, April 22 and will run for 14 days.

At the same time, the work hours have been adjusted to between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

“We are asking, therefore, that all workplaces make the necessary adjustments,” Mr. Holness said, during a digital press conference from Jamaica House on Monday (April 20).

“It means you have what is called ‘travel time’ from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.,” he noted.

Mr. Holness said the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) and registered operators of public passenger vehicles (PPV) are allowed to be on the road from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., but they must not have any passengers in their vehicles between 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Meanwhile, supermarkets, pharmacies and corner shops should close at 4:00 p.m.

Markets will now operate from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, and will be closed on Sundays.

The Prime Minister said it is now mandatory to wear masks in public places and he is encouraging all Jamaicans to comply with the order, as the country is close to the phase of community spread of COVID-19.