Jamaican government announces stiffened measures amid spike in COVID cases

Jamaica: The government of Jamaica has stiffened the COVID-19 restrictions amid the rise in COVID-19 infections in the country. The administration has also signalled the starting of the COVID-19 third wave. While around 1,318 have been reported only for the month of July. The Caribbean island has been reporting an average of 135 new cases per day since the last week. PM Holness noted that the Jamaican government is planning to bring forward some of the COVID-19 measures, which are to be in effect right after the independence period, as the coronavirus infection rate rises speedily in the country. These new COVID-19 measures would be imposed for the two-week period that is from Tuesday, July 27, to August 10, 2021.

PM Holness, during a media conference, added, "So, these are preparatory measures. Come the 11th of August; the government would have to take even tighter measures to guarantee that we do not see a heavy spike in COVID-19 infections."

Being in effective from 27 July, the timing of the night curfew would be from 8 pm to 5 am from Monday's to Saturday's, while on Sunday's and public holidays, the timing of the night curfew would be in effect from 3 pm to 5 am the following day, (including the independence day).

Regarding beaches and rivers, the new operating hours are from 6 am to 4 pm (Monday's to Saturday's), and from 6 am to 2 pm on Sunday's and public holidays.

In effective from 27 July 2021, the 70 per cent capacity for the events has been reduced to 50 per cent now, as per the new COVID-19 measures. "Therefore, the number of people allowed at a small event would be 100 people or 50 per cent of the capacity of venue, whichever is lower," PM Holness informed.

The Prime Minister noted that it's the irresponsible behaviour of the citizens which has led to a massive spike in the COVID-19 infections in the spike in the COVID-19 Caribbean island.

PM Holness, while addressing the nation on Monday, asserted that based on the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in Jamaica, it is evident that the government needs to act now, particularly given plans to reopen the schools for face-to-face instruction in the month of September.