KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaica government has announced a four-week extension of measures aimed at curtailing the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic here amidst warnings that the extension could last for six weeks.
Prime Minister Andrew HolnessJamaica has recorded 46,087 cases of the virus and 793 deaths since the first case was diagnosed in March last year.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness told Parliament that as of this weekend, the curfew will begin 6:00 pm (local time) on Saturday and at 2:00 pm on Sunday and will end at 5:00 am the following day.
He said that for Labour Day, which will be celebrated on Monday, May 24, there will be an all-day curfew and that one day earlier, the curfew will begin at 2:00 pm, continue all day on Monday and end at 5:00 am on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Holness told legislators that the curfew hours for weekdays will remain at 8:00 pm to 5:00 am and will end on June 3 at 5:00 am.
However, Prime Minister Holness indicated that the government may require stringent measures for up to six weeks.
The government said that the 14-day quarantine requirement remains in effect for travelers to Jamaica. However, Trinidad has been added to the list from which travel is banned. The United Kingdom has been removed from the ‘banned’ list.
Public gathering limit remains at 10 individuals and no more than 30 people may attend church services.
The authorities said work from home order for public sector workers has also been extended and the private sector is urged to follow the order and allow work from home. The cap on weddings remains at 15 people.
The authorities said face-to-face classes will resume on May 10 for students sitting the Primary Exit Profile, the Caribbean Secondary Examinations Council (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).
No other students will be permitted to attend physical classes.
