Jamaica cancels government Christmas parties after Hurricane Melissa

The Jamaican Government has cancelled all Christmas parties across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) this year as the country continues to recover from the devastation caused by Category Five Hurricane Melissa.

The directive was announced by Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, during Wednesday’s (December 10) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.

“We have agreed to allow small in-ministry or in-department recognition and morale-building activities. So, if you are doing something in the office itself, that is fine, but no rental of external venues is allowed,” she said.

Dr. Morris Dixon added that MDAs are being encouraged to focus on outreach, particularly to staff members who live in severely affected communities. “We would love to see many of our ministries, departments and agencies continuing the work that many are doing in terms of doing outreach in the affected areas,” she said.

While the public sector scales back, the private sector is being urged to proceed with their Christmas events. Dr. Morris Dixon noted reports of cancellations at hotels and stressed the importance of maintaining economic activity.

“We really do need to make up for what is happening in the west, in terms of the downturn in economic activity. So, those of us in areas that haven’t been affected as much, please go out and spend money,” she appealed.

She added that while continued spending is important, Jamaicans should also dedicate time to supporting outreach efforts in the hardest-hit communities.