Despite available data suggesting that the tightened curfew measures implemented over the last month have contributed to a downward trend in positive COVID-19 cases, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced that tightened curfew measures will remain largely in effect for the next four weeks.

Addressing the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 4), Holness said that the following measures would come into effect as of Wednesday, May 5:

• The curfew for weekdays, Monday through Friday will remain at 8:00 pm nightly and will expire at 5:00 am the following morning.

• Weekend curfews beginning Saturday, May 8, will see a 6:00 pm curfew on Saturdays ending at 5 am on Sunday.

• This followed by a 2:00 pm curfew on Sunday, which will end at 5:00 am the following morning.

• For Labour Day which will be celebrated on Monday, May 24 there will be an all-day curfew during which movement will not be permitted.

• The curfew will therefore begin on Sunday, May 23 at 2 pm and will expire at 5 am on Tuesday, May 25.

• Burials continue to be allowed during the hours of 9 am to 4 pm on weekdays for a period not extending 30 minutes.

• Funerals will not be permitted during the period beginning Wednesday, May 5 and ending Tuesday, June 2.

• Stay at home orders remain in effect for persons 60 years and older, and the existing work from home order for public sector workers remain unchanged until June 2.

According to the prime minister, “the data clearly shows that the tighter measures implemented in the last week of February 20, 2021, to now have been very successful in slowing the spread of the virus (however) while our hospitalisations are now below capacity, we are not yet out of the danger zone”, necessitating the extension of COVID-19 restrictions.