Jamaican Government Extends Islandwide Curfew for Another Week

The Jamaican government announced on Wednesday that the 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew in place to help curb the spread of COVID-19 will continue for another week, ending March 1.

The public gathering limit will also remain at 10 until February 28.

A statement from the Jamaica Information Service said a further review of various measures under the Disaster Risk Management, due to expire on February 28, will be undertaken and an announcement made regarding measures that will be in place effective March 1. The curfew was imposed on February 10.

Prime Minister Holness, reiterating that the virus is spread when people move around, urged residents to stay at home as much as possible and leave only for necessary and productive activities such as going to work, obtaining food and medical supplies, accessing medical services, and conducting businesses and financial transactions.

The JIS statement said all citizens must continue to keenly observe the infection prevention and control measures to guard against the spread of COVID-19, including maintaining a six-foot physical distance from others, frequently washing hands with soap and water or using sanitizer and always wearing a mask in public.

“Only through this concerted effort to control the spread of the virus will we be able to maintain a level of productivity to secure lives and livelihoods and recover more quickly from this crisis,” said Prime Minister Holness.

CMC