Jamaica: Seating capacity in Church to be determined on its size

Friday, 11th February 2022

PM Holness announces update in COVID protocols in Jamaican Parliament,

Kingston: Government of Jamaica updated the COVID-19 health protocols and containment measures. The amended curfew hours are from 11 pm to 5 am the following morning. These new protocols will be in effect from today (Friday, February 11, 2022) to February 25. From today onwards, the seating capacity limit of a church will be determined on its size, which was previously bound to 100 persons. The maximum number of persons entitled to attend will now be based on the size of the area designated for the worship area divided by 36 square feet. Accentuating the new measures in the Parliament, Prime Minister Andrew Holness noted that for the next two weeks, the government would monitor the updated measures. He then asked the general public to strictly follow the COVID-19 norms put in place. "While the Government is widening the guard rails to allow more economic activity, citizens must continue to diligently follow the protocols to keep themselves, their families and loved ones safe," the prime minister mentioned. PM Holness underscored the significance and need of getting COVID-19 vaccine dose, noting that 98.4% of all the deaths reported in Jamaica were of unvaccinated individuals. Jamaican Prime Minister furthermore emphasized that the modifications in protocols have been eased as the hospitalization as well as the death rate of the island country witnesses a downward trend. Meanwhile, all of the other protocols remain the same, including wearing masks at public places or gatherings and maintaining a proper physical distance. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Jamaica recorded more than 127,000 confirmed infections of the SARS-CoV-2, with over 2,708 deaths. In terms of vaccination, so far, 752,839 individuals (25.4%) are partially vaccinated, while 632,097 persons (21.3%) are fully vaccinated, taking their required number of the COVID-19 vaccine jabs. A total of 23,528 individuals have taken their booster shots, which counts for 0.8% of the total eligible population.