The Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) is recommending the urgent implementation of a ticketing system for non-compliance with COVID-19 prevention measures, and is offering to provide tangible support for the state's efforts in that regard.
Tickets would be issued for breaches such as failure to wear masks in public and exceeding the limits for the size public gatherings.
PSOJ President Keith Duncan, speaking Tuesday on Radio Jamaica’s Beyond the Headlines, declared that the time has come for stronger action, such as the proposed ticketing system, to tackle breaches of the COVID-19 protocols.
The PSOJ, in a follow-up press statement on Wednesday morning, acknowledged the changes to the island-wide curfew hours and gathering limits announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness in Parliament on Tuesday, “as part of continued COVID-19 containment measures.”
It said, while it understands these tightened measures “are necessary in the wake of the spike in positive COVID 19 cases and the current strain and potential overwhelming of the public health system,” the reduction in working hours “could see some reversal of the recent economic gains and the recovery of jobs.”
The organization asserted therefore that there should be greater emphasis on compliance and enforcement, “which is a more sustainable approach to controlling the spread of the virus without further curtailing business activity.”
Accordingly, the PSOJ wants the ticketing system to be implemented as soon as possible, “with prohibitive fines for non-compliance.”
Acknowledging that the resources of the Jamaica Constabulary Force are severely stretched, The PSOJ is further recommending that the enforcement ticketing system be supplemented by the Transport Authority, the Municipal Police and special district constables.
“We recognize that, even with the addition of these resources, there may still be human resource constraints to effectively manage this ticketing system. The private sector is, therefore, willing to complement these efforts through partnership with security firms,” the PSOJ offered.
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