Dr. Peter Figueroa, Professor of Public Health at UWI Mona - file photo
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Dr. Peter Figueroa
It is being suggested that the government conduct a test of Jamaicans' reaction to an easing of COVID-19 restrictions ahead of the Christmas period.
Dr. Peter Figueroa, Professor of Public Health at the University of the West Indies, Mona, supports the relaxing of the curfew in some communities and public education.
The Cabinet is assessing the situation and is to advise on the measures applicable for December and, in particular, the Christmas period, in another two weeks.
Measures such as the nightly curfew and social gathering limits have been extended until December 1.
Professor Figueroa said a better assessment at this time would have been to loosen the restrictions for at least two weeks.
"That is one way of easing the situation. It would allow some places, some vendors, people who prepare food, whatever, it may ease some of those people getting a little work done. In early December we then assess, can we keep that curfew eased a little bit. Now going into Christmas, we definitely have to do preparation. But a lot of it is getting the message across to people: You can socialise, but you have to avoid big crowds. And when you're with other people, you have to wear your masks. So, you work on preparing the country," he suggested Wednesday while speaking on the Morning Agenda on Power 106.
He said if the cases spike during the two weeks, the curfew should be quickly tightened.
Dr. Figueroa has appealed to Jamaicans to comply with the protocols until the vaccine trials are completed and countries start to receive the doses.
"I want to appeal to people, we are moving into Christmas. We are moving into a season where flu and other respiratory infections tend to increase and it is possible or likely that the same will happen with COVID. We just have to hold strain for the next three to four months, keep the protocols in place, wear the masks, personal hand hygiene and physical distancing, even while we socialise in small groups," he urged.
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