Earthquake disrupts some business activity in Jamaica

 

Business activity, especially on the eastern side of Jamaica, was disrupted by the magnitude 5.6 earthquake experienced today.

 

A number of businesses closed early, as their services were disrupted by interruptions to electricity and telecommunications services.

 

Up to late afternoon, Digicel was continuing its assessment on how its network was affected by the quake.

 

In a release, Flow said 97 per cent of its fixed and mobile services remained connected.

 

However, it said there was increased traffic via the network.

 

Local banks also reported disruptions.

 

National Commercial Bank Jamaica said clients had difficulty reaching its Customer Care Centre via its toll-free number and live chat on its website.

 

The company sent an update just before 5:00 p.m., that the service had been restored.

 

The bank also closed its Knutsford Boulevard location in Kingston and Port Antonio location in Portland at 1:30 p.m.

 

It also closed its Constant Spring and Duke Street branches early.

 

Scotiabank has not reported any network issues, however it closed branches in St. Thomas, Portland, Kingston, St. Andrew and St. Catherine shortly after the earthquake.

 

Citizens reported disruptions in the use of point of sales machines due to internet connectivity issues.

 

 

President of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica Metry Seaga said his members are conducting damage assessment on their businesses.

 

"We have checked with our members on some of the major institutions in Jamaica. We've checked with Petrojam. There doesn't seem to be any damage there and no disruption to service."

 

He also confirmed that there was no damage at Carib Cement in Kingston.

 

"Social media has a couple of things going around about cement company. We have spoken to them and it is not true. They are back running and producing as we speak," he explained. 

 

"There seems to be some damage to a small wing up at the University Hospital [of the West Indies] but they seem to have it under control and will do the necessary things to move people. In terms of our other membership, there seems to be some minor damages, some grocery stores have lost product, all material things. We have not heard of any loss of life or injuries to anyone at this point. It is still early and we're still canvassing our membership," he told Radio Jamaica News.