JMEA urges political parties to stop physical campaigning

 

The Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) is calling for the Jamaica Labour Party and the People's National Party to immediately halt physical campaigning in light of the spike in COVID-19 cases.

 

JMEA President Richard Pandohie believes this will help limit spread of the coronavirus and help preserve the economy and jobs.  

 

"...We are urging and asking the political parties to stop all physical campaigns at this point and to use the virtual methods, to use the very same things they're advising the private sector and other people to do. Use technology that's available, use the media, use social media, whatever you have to do, but come off the streets because we recognise that our people, no matter how good the intentions are by the political leaders, the masses are not abiding and they will not abide and they've shown the lack of discipline to do so," he lamented. 

 

At the same time, Mr. Pandohie said Jamaica cannot afford another lockdown. 

 

He described as a "massive slowdown in the economy," the prediction of a 12 to 14 per cent decline in GDP for the April to June quarter.  

 

He said, with the projection for the country's recovery to take at least three or four years, Jamaica would be set back even further if another lockdown were to be implemented.