Prime Minister Andrew Holness
.png)
00:00
00:00
00:00
Prime Minister Andrew Holness
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced that all measures under the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA) will be withdrawn on Friday, March 18.
The DRMA measures include curfews and gathering limits.
Mr. Holness made the announcement on Thursday afternoon while contributing to the Budget Debate in the House of Representatives.
Noting that Jamaica's COVID-19 deaths per million of population is 13 per cent below the world average, excluding India and China, the Prime Minister touted his government for keeping the country safe.
He said "after two years of dexterously balancing lives and livelihoods with executive powers under the DRMA", the measures would come to an end since "citizens now know what to do to protect themselves and their families".
Although the measures have been lifted, he acknowledged that the pandemic is not over so "continued vigilance is necessary".
For this reason, some measures, such as the requirement for people who test positive for COVID-19 to isolate as well as handwashing and sanitisation rules, will be retained and subsumed into the Public Health Act.
Other rules that will now fall under the Public Health Act include laboratories protecting the privacy and identity of people testing for COVID-19, and mask-wearing in enclosed public spaces (such as supermarkets, banks and tax collectorates).
Mr. Holness said the mask-wearing requirement will remain in place until April 15, after which it will no longer be mandated but recommended for places like restaurants and bars.
Pre-testing as a requirement for travel to Jamaica will also remain in place until April 15. An assessment will be done thereafter to determine whether this can be discontinued.
Physical distancing will also be "highly recommended" but not mandated. The same will be true for general infection prevention and control protocols for workplaces.
While curfews will come to an end, Mr. Holness urged the public to "use discretion" regarding how late they stay out to ensure their safety and security.
Entertainment
The prohibition on entertainment events will be lifted on Friday, March 18.
However, the Prime Minister reminded the public that events are regulated under various laws and administered by different entities including the municipal corporations and the Jamaica Constabulary Force, from whom permits must be sought and licences paid.
Permits granted will include the condition that the number of people allowed at any venue must be below 70 per cent of capacity. This requirement will last until April 15.
All feeds
