Security Forces in high alert to enforce stringent COVID-19 guidelines: PM Holness

The Government reiterated its stance on ridding the country of guns, gangs and dons.

2024-07-07 15:33:27

Jamaica: The matter of Crime and Violence was high on the agenda as the National Security Council (NSC) met on Thursday (March 25). The Government reiterated its stance on ridding the country of guns, gangs and dons. Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who chaired the NSC meeting, received a comprehensive brief and operation update on security matters and hotspots and advised on the potential for escalation given the current volatility in some areas. The Prime Minister gave a directive that additional resources be deployed into the areas to keep the peace. Read More: Jamaica first country to receive COVID-19 vaccines by COVAX facility In the meantime, preparations are being finalized nationally among the Security Forces to ensure that all is in place to enforce the upcoming 3 weekend lockdowns: the first Of which is to take place this weekend commencing at 12 noon on Saturday, March 27 and ending at 5 am on Monday, March 29. These and other matters are contained in the Disaster Risk Management (Enforcement Measures) (NO. 4) Order, 2021 Were also high on the agenda to further clamp down on the spread of COVID-19 and protect public health. Prime Minister Holness noted that the measures should be 'strictly enforced. Both the JCF and JDF Heads expressed their commitments to a joined-up approach to enforcing the measures and clamping down crime hotspots. Read More: Jamaica receives 50,000 doses of vaccine from India Members of the public are being reminded that all workplaces should close at 12 noon on Friday. March 26, 2021. Thursday, April 1, 2021, and Friday, April 9, 2021, except those that are providing services, including finance, security, health, water, electricity, food and other critical services. The lockdown for the next three weekends including the Easter the weekend will see persons only being allowed to move between 5 am and 12 noon on Saturday mornings; apart from the specific exemptions where persons need to perform job-related duties. As noted in the Order, persons en route to the airport for the purpose of travel. or having arrived in Jamaica, are en route from the airport to their intended place of residence, are permitted to do so during curfew hours. This includes persons transporting them to or from the airport provided that they immediately return to their place of residence after providing such transportation. Read More: Jamaica: Japan donates medical equipment of $260 million to combat COVID-19 Additionally, persons will also be allowed to go to vaccination centres, as we seek to get as many persons vaccinated as possible given the need to reduce the stress on our health system. The security forces were sensitized to the provision in the Order that permits a maximum Of 12 persons (including officiating clergy and IT personnel) to be physically present in the place Of worship to conduct and/or electronically broadcast a worship service between gam and 4 pm on no movement days. To ensure this is done in an orderly manner, a standard approval process has been agreed upon with the church organization to facilitate this limited movement to and from churches. Persons are reminded that those who are permitted to leave their abode or place of residence shall produce satisfactory proof of identification or other authorization documents on being requested to do so by an authorized officer. Read More: Amber Academy places Jamaica in Global Demand For Coders The Security Council was also informed that all systems are set to go for the Portmore pilot of the E-commerce National Delivery Solution (ENDS), which was developed in partnership with the Private Sector Organization Of Jamaica to enable business continuity during the curfew hours through this digital platform. The inclusive innovation and its relevance beyond the pandemic is already being lauded.

Monika Walker

Monika Walker is a senior journalist specializing in regional and international politics, offering in-depth analysis on governance, diplomacy, and key global developments. With a degree in International Journalism, she is dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices through factual reporting. She also covers world news across every genre, providing readers with balanced and timely insights that connect the Caribbean to global conversations.