COVID-19 measures ‘quite likely’ to end soon, says Holness
Juanique Tennant / Our Today
As Jamaica continues to see the tail end of the fourth coronavirus wave, Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the end to economically and socially restrictive COVID-19 measures is near.
Speaking during a virtual Office of the Prime Minister press briefing on Tuesday (February 22), Holness said: “The science and data would clearly support a further widening of the guardrails to allow more economic and social activity.”
With this in mind, effective Friday (February 25), for a three-week period ending March 18, the curfew hours will change from 11 pm nightly to midnight, until 5 am the following morning.
COVID-19 pandemic not yet over
In addition, the current maximum of 20 persons allowed to physically attend funerals and burials will be increased to 100. Burials will be permitted only between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm from Mondays to Fridays.
The maximum number of persons who may be present for events hosted by public sector entities will be increased from 50 to 100. This 100 maximum person limit will also apply in the case of weddings and annual general meetings.
Effective Tuesday (March 1), the requirement to obtain a travel authorisation through the JAMCOVID or VisitJamaica platforms will be eliminated. However, persons travelling will still be required to present a negative PCR or Antigen test conducted within three days prior to travel.
Despite the further relaxation of the COVID-19 measures, Holness warned that the coronavirus pandemic is not yet over.
“We have three weeks of these measures left and then at the end of three weeks it is quite likely that we will bring the measures to an end.”
Prime Minister Andrew Holness
“While we acknowledge the high level of (pandemic) fatigue in the society, we have to gradually widen the guardrails,” stated the prime minister.
He noted that the Government’s objective is to get the nation’s children back to face-to-face classes after the midterm break and, as such, remains careful not to reopen prematurely and threaten the possibility of a full reopening of schools.
He stated: “We all have to still exercise caution and patience and give the children the priority to get back into school.”
He added: “We have three weeks of these measures left and then at the end of three weeks it is quite likely that we will bring the measures to an end.”
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