Jamaican PM introduces new lockdown measures amid dangerous spike in covid cases and hospitalizations

Home*Cover Story*Government

Jamaican PM introduces new lockdown measures amid dangerous spike in covid cases and hospitalizations

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness tonight addressed the nation and announced lockdown measures aimed at curbing a dramatic spike in covid 19 cases and hospitalizations. The country in the past few weeks has seen a steady increase in cases which have overwhelmed the country’s healthcare system.

The measures include a suspension of all Entertainment events and limit of persons allowed to gather at religious event.

Last month, Holness had hinted at stricter changes coming to the island’s virus contaminant measures, due largely to a continued spike in COVID-19 cases.

As of Wednesday August 11, the curfew will begin at 7:00 pm and end at 5:00 am the next day from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays the curfew will begin at 6:00 pm until 5:00 am the following day and on Sundays the curfew begins at 2:00 pm and ends at 5:00 am the next day.

The updated measures will remain in effect for three weeks until August 31, the prime minister said.

Speaking at a press conference a short while ago, Holness said that the government placed a lot of thought into the appropriate measures in order to keep the nation safe.

On Sunday, Health and Wellness Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, revealed that “hospitals across the island are seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases.”

In anticipation of further increases in bed occupancy, the regional health authorities have been advised to review and revise leave rosters to ensure that there is adequate staff coverage, Tufton said in a statement.

Further, the minister revealed that the country’s hospitals are under severe constraints and this is likely to have implications for elective or non-emergency medical procedures.

COMMENTS

WORDPRESS: 0
DISQUS: 0