Government vows zero tolerance towards breaches of quarantine rules

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of National Security Matthew Samuda is warning that the government will pursue anyone who breaches quarantine rules, particularly amid heightened fear a new strain of the coronavirus could reach Jamaica.

On Monday, Jamaica banned flights from the UK, where the new strain has been discovered, and passengers who arrived in Jamaica after the ban was announced are now in state quarantine.

Those who test negative will be released in a matter of hours with armbands for tracking.

Mr Samuda, speaking Tuesday on Radio Jamaica’s Beyond the Headlines, affirmed that those persons will be under increased scrutiny.

No to third country entry

He added that passengers will not be able to bypass the UK ban by seeking to enter Jamaica from other countries.

"Persons who have been to the UK within a particular period of time wouldn't be able to board flights coming to Jamaica, he asserted, adding that the government has to "manage the risk."

The "new strain" of Covid-19, "right when we are facing a particular increase in numbers; we're dealing with other issues... is not something that we can manage."