PM Announces New Curfew Hours; Sunday No Longer A No-Movement Day

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has announced new curfew hours, from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., seven days per week, effective Friday (October 29).

With the adjustment, Sunday will no longer be a no-movement day.

“This new curfew will remain in effect until December 10, 2021. I will have some consultations with interest groups, and I will definitely call up the Leader of the Opposition (Mark Golding) early so that we can have a consensus as to what to do [during] Christmas,” Mr. Holness said.

He was delivering a statement during the sitting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday (Oct. 26).

Closing hours for businesses is generally one hour before the curfew period. Curfews are among measures the Government has instituted to further contain the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Turning to other measures, Mr. Holness informed that the public gathering limit remains at 10 persons, and places of worship will continue to be restricted to having no more than 50 persons in attendance. No crusades, conferences or conventions are permitted.

Additionally, the number of persons permitted to physically attend weddings, annual general meetings and events hosted by public entities, is limited to a maximum of 50.

There are no changes to the existing measures regarding funerals and burials.

“Funeral services are permitted with a maximum of 20 persons physically present including mourners, clergy and support personnel. Burials are permitted Monday to Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. with a maximum of 15 persons present,” the Prime Minister reminded.

Further, the existing work-from-home directive in the public sector remains in place until December 9.

The Prime Minister told the House that the COVID Subcommittee of Cabinet will review the measures in three weeks.

“Depending on the level of increase in our vaccination rate (and) continued decrease in the positivity rate, then we could come back with even better news,” he said.

The current COVID-19 measures, which became effective from Saturday, (September 18) are slated to end on Thursday, (October 28), 2021.