KINGSTON, Jamaica –The Jamaica government late last month announced a series of new measures, including an all-island curfew, to help curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) after the country recorded 83 new cases of the virus over 24 hours.
Holness has asked Jamaicans to wear a mask.Andrew Holness, the prime minister leading into the Sept. 3 general elections, told an Aug. 24 news conference that Jamaica had “now crossed the trip line” and that an all-island curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. (local time) daily, would go into effective from through Sept. 30.
The government said entertainment events requiring permits would be suspended and those for which permits have been granted would be cancelled and the promoter refunded.
“When the contact tracing is done you are seeing that many persons, even high profile persons, who are affected, you could trace right back to entertainment,” Holness said.
BURIALS
Burials will be allowed with up to 15 persons, including the officiating minister.
Beginning Aug. 27, residents in some communities will be required to stay at home, even outside of curfew hours. Holness said this would prevent people from being outside unless they have a legitimate reason.
“We are seeing a clustering of cases occurring within a number of communities in the Corporate Area,” he explained. “We have decided that we will take some additional measures for these communities …
“Even within the curfew hours, we will put in place an order which will give the police the authority to, if you are seen loitering in a public space, you could be required to return home,” Holness added.
Up to press time Jamaica’s COVID-19 infection total was drawing close to 2,000, with 19 deaths.
