Gov’t looks to phased reopening with introduction of new COVID-19 measures
Juanique Tennant / Our Today
In light of the country’s declining daily COVID-19 positivity rate, which has been attributed to weeks of tightened coronavirus prevention measures, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has indicated that the upcoming weeks will be guided by more relaxed containment measures.
Speaking in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (June 22), Holness commended the actions of the populace and the diligence of health care workers, which have resulted in declining COVID-19 case counts.
Highlighting his awareness of the toll the tightened containment measures have had on citizens, the prime minister stated that given the country’s current COVID-19 climate the following measures will come into effect as of Thursday, July 1:
| CURFEW HOURS | 1. As of Thursday, July 1 weekday curfew hours will begin at 11 pm and end at 5 am the following morning ending 5 am on August 11. 2. On weekends, curfew hours will begin on Saturday at 11 pm and on Sunday at 6 pm ending at 5 am the following morning. |
| CONTROLLED ENTRY PROTOCOLS | 1. The requirement for all persons entering Jamaica to produce a negative COVID-19 test within 3 days of travel remains in effect, as does the requirement to self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival for persons who are not fully vaccinated. 2. For persons who are fully vaccinated (which means the person has received both doses of a two-dose vaccine or the single dose of a one-dose vaccine and at least two weeks have elapsed since receiving the last dose), the quarantine period will remain at 8 days. 3. Fully vaccinated persons now have the option as of July 1 of taking an approved PCR test and upon presentation of negative results they can be released from the Quarantine Order. 4. Travel restrictions for South American countries (Chile, Peru, Colombia, Argentina and Paraguay) as well as Trinidad Tobago and India is being extended until August 10 2021. |
| STAY AT HOME ORDER | The age limit for the stay at home measure remains at 60 until August 10 2021. However, persons who are fully vaccinated have been exempted from this. |
| WORK FROM HOME | 1. The existing work from home directive in the public sector is being extended until August 10 2021. Therefore, only persons who work in critical service delivery and perform job functions that require them to be at the physical location should be required to be at the office. 2. For the private sector, employers are encouraged to allow all persons who can work from home to do so. |
| MARKETS | The operating hours for markets will be from 6 am to 7 pm on Monday – Saturday but will be closed on Sundays. |
| FUNERAL SERVICES | Effective July 1, 2021, funeral services will be allowed with a maximum of 30 persons present inside the church, other place of worship or funeral home. This maximum limit of 30 persons include mourners as well as clergy and any support personnel. |
| BURIALS | 1. The maximum number of persons who may be present at the graveside has been increased from 15 to 30. This includes mourners as well as officiating clergy, gravediggers and undertakers. 2. Burials will be allowed on Monday – Friday between the hours of 9 am – 5 pm. |
| WORSHIP SERVICES | The current limit of 50 persons being physically present in a church has been increased to a capacity-based limit depending on the size of the designated area for worship. The maximum number of persons physically present will be determined as 70 per cent of the capacity which is calculated based on one person for every 40 sq ft of the designated worship area. |
| BEACHES and RIVERS | 1. Beaches and rivers remain subject to the rules placed on beaches and rivers under organized management. 2. No more than 10 persons at a time will be allowed to gather in any one area of the beach. 3. Activities at the beach will be limited to swimming, exercising and sunbathing. No beach parties or group games will be permitted. 4. Beaches and rivers will be open from 6 am to 6 pm on Monday to Saturday and 6 am – 5 pm on Sunday. |
| CINEMAS | Indoor cinemas and theatres will be allowed to reopen as of June 24, 2021, at a capacity limit of one person for every 40 sq ft or 70 per cent of the seating capacity, whichever is lower |
In introducing the new measures, Holness noted: “I want every Jamaican to understand that the recrafted measures that we have announced are to enable many persons who have not had an income for several months to finally get a chance to return to work and start providing for their families.”
He added: “The risks of a third wave remain ever-present. Whether or not it materializes is up to every one of us.”
In closing, he articulated that the new measures are not to be seen as a “free for all” and in trying to “preserve the livelihoods of so many who, have not been able to earn a living since the pandemic began, (it is important that) we do not endanger lives”.
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