Thread by @AndrewHolnessJM

#Thread: The current situation in the United States has not escaped our notice. The death of George Floyd has brought to the forefront the issues of racism and discrimination, which are very troubling to me as a black person.

I am sure this is also troubling to all well thinking individuals and institutions that subscribe to the view that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

Personally, I am horrified and saddened by what I saw captured on video, and while I join other world leaders in condemning this and other human rights injustices, I am also very sensitive and extremely concerned by similar injustices here in Jamaica.

Our Constitution and the Charter of Rights, guarantee, “the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in the execution of the sentence of a court...”.

The Charter makes it clear that, “the state has an obligation to promote universal respect for; and observance of human rights and freedoms.” Within the general scheme of our Constitution therefore, Government is not merely a passive observer of fundamental rights and freedoms.

Government, its organs and agents, have a duty NOT to take life or deprive anyone of their rights and freedom

Our country has gone through decades of struggle to develop transparent and effective systems to address the treatment of citizens by the state including incidents where life is taken.

We can never declare victory or assume that every agent, functionary or employee of the government understands and faithfully uses their authority in accordance with the charter, but my government is committed to ensuring that where breaches occur, we will follow due process.

We will also thoroughly investigate so that justice is served. We are making progress; for example, in 2019 INDECOM reported the lowest police killings in more than 20 years, 86, compared to 137 in the previous year.

Several cases of questionable death alleging state involvement have been brought to public prominence, including:
•Jodi Ann Fearon
•Susan Bogle
•Noel Chambers

The death of Mr. Noel Chambers while in custody within the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre is both tragic and heartbreaking. I would like to express my sincere condolences to his family.

This tragedy is undoubtedly ranked among the most dreadful inheritances of a penal and judicial system that are in need of urgent reform. The Minster of National Security has commissioned a comprehensive audit into the circumstances leading up to Mr. Chamber’s passing.

A key outcome from this audit will be a detailed, multi –agency examination of the loopholes that may exist across the systems in order to ensure that we remedy any likelihood of this situation repeating itself.

This unfortunate situation must result in a complete and comprehensive overview and overhauling of the systems to treat with custodees in general, and those with underlying mental and/or physiological conditions.

The review process of the correctional services had commenced in financial year 2018/2019 and included the current commission of corrections Lt. Col Rowe who has been leading the process of institutional review and reform.

Substantial investment has also been made in the correctional facilities. In the last financial year we already invested in excess of $300 million JMD. This year the expectation was that we would’ve invested upwards of $500million pre covid.

It is my position that no one should be “lost” in the penal system and certainly that anyone who has served more than thirty five years should be considered for release.

Covid19:

As at yesterday, we had a total of 591 confirmed cases, of which 368 persons have recovered.Unfortunately, we have had 10 deaths; I express condolences to the families. We currently have two (2) persons critically ill. There are currently 213 active cases.

Up to April 13, we had 73 cases.Then we had a spike as a result of the workplace cluster with a steep climb up to May 2 when we had 463 cases. During this period, cases increased by more than 6 fold, at a doubling rate of 5-6 days.After May 2, we returned to a flatter trajectory.

The effect of the cluster up to May 2 was 294 cases including both workers and employees. Subsequent to May 2, this has grown to 334 cases.

The number of persons who have recovered now exceeds our active cases. Our recovery rate is now 62.3%.
The most important number we now need to focus on is the number of persons hospitalised.

As of yesterday, we had 18 persons hospitalized including suspected positive cases of COVID-19. We also have an additional 148 persons isolated in a government facility and 93 isolated at home.

With the broader opening up of the economy and the greater influx of returning Jamaicans as well as non-nationals starting June 15, there is clearly a risk of further spikes.

From the 2,300 persons who have entered under the Controlled Re-Entry Programme and who have been tested, we have had 58 imported cases so far. This represents a positivity rate of 2.5%.

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Since the last press briefing on May 31, we have had:
A flight from Cayman yesterday, Thursday, June 4 with [78] Jamaicans; a Jet Blue flight today from New York with [69] Jamaicans; Air Canada today from Toronto with [14] Jamaicans.

This brings the total number of Jamaicans who have returned under the programme to approximately 2,500 so far.

As a result of feedback we have been receiving, we have simplified the Jamcovid application process to have only one stage of approval. We previously had a two stage approval process – with a conditional approval and then a final approval.

Therefore, anyone who was previously conditionally approved will automatically receive their travel authorization. The travel authorization is required in order for you to book your flight and also to be allowed to board.

The latest numbers from the jamcovid system: We now have 4,100 applications that have been approved. These persons are now able to book any available flights and return home to Jamaica.

We have 1,472 applications that are currently under review by the health and immigration authorities and those should be approved within the next 48 hours if all is in order.

However, there are 2,729 applications for which we are awaiting the home quarantine assessment questions to be answered. We have sent out multiple email reminders asking for this information and I am making a special appeal to these persons to provide it as soon as possible.

The health and immigration authorities are not able to process your application without this information.

We are working with the airlines to schedule flights soon as possible.We have advised the airlines that we have the capacity to take up to 6 flights a day, 3 at each airport, 1 flight per day from the Caribbean & 2 flights from North America or elsewhere, 1 in the AM,1 in the PM.

We have already scheduled flights expected to bring in approximately 970 Jamaicans.

We have introduced new risk-based protocols for controlled re-entry for the period June 1 -14.

Firstly, we have introduced a “travel bubble” concept comprising low risk countries based on a risk assessment of the countries from which persons are seeking to enter Jamaica and the travel routes which they will take.

We have evaluated specific criteria which include similar management and profile results for the epidemic regarding spread, death rate, infection prevention and control measures, contact tracing protocols and other criteria.

The list of countries comprising the “travel bubble” will be constantly reviewed & evaluated, & currently includes:
Antigua & Barbuda
Bahamas
Barbados
Cayman Islands
Grenada
Montserrat
St. Lucia
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Trinidad & Tobago
Turks & Caicos

Effective June 1, all persons arriving in Jamaica whether from countries within or outside the bubble will be subject to a health screening and risk assessment by the health authorities.

The health screening will include checking temperature, observation of symptoms, if any, as well as an interview by a health officer.

The health authorities will make a risk assessment based on information obtained through this health screening as well as consideration of factors. These factors include the country and city of origin, travel history, and the living conditions at home, if applicable.

This risk assessment will determine the testing and quarantine requirements. All persons will be required to go through a sensitization that will advise them of the various infection prevention protocols within Jamaica.

Protocols for travel bubble countries: Persons not considered to be high risk as a result of the risk assessment, will not need to be tested and can go home.

They will be subject to “stay at home” orders which means that they would be allowed to leave their homes only once per day for the necessities of life.

Persons who are assessed to be high risk would be required to be tested. Given that they are coming from a travel bubble, that is, low risk countries, a likely reason for being assessed as high risk would be that they may be showing symptoms.

As a result, they would need to be quarantined either at home or in a government facility as required by the health authorities to await the results of their test.

If the test is negative, they would remain under either a “stay at home” order or a home quarantine order as determined by the health authorities for 14 days.If the test is positive, they would go into isolation either at home or in a government facility.

Protocols for countries outside the travel bubble: In this case, in addition to the health screening, risk assessment and sensitization, all persons would need to be tested.

Persons would then go home and await their test results. Persons assessed to be low risk would be released under “stay at home” orders while persons assessed as high risk would be under home quarantine orders.

Unlike “stay at home” orders, persons under quarantine orders are not allowed to leave home without permission from the health authorities.
If the test is positive, they would go into isolation either at home or in a government facility as determined by the health authorities.

If the test is negative, they would be under “stay at home” orders if assessed as low risk and either “stay at home” orders or home quarantine orders if assessed as high risk.

Effective June 15, non-nationals may enter according to 3 categories: Jamaican nationals & non-nationals who are ordinarily resident in Jamaica via a work permit, marriage, or being a dependent of a national;Non-Jamaicans visiting for tourism; Non-Jamaican business travelers.

The protocols for Jamaican nationals and non-nationals ordinarily resident in Jamaica are virtually identical to the protocols described for travel bubble countries.

Protocols for tourists: These protocols are also similar to those for Jamaican nationals, EXCEPT that tourists will be subject to a “Stay in Zone” Order. A geographical area – the “COVID resilience corridor” - will be defined within which tourists would be required to remain.

Protocols for business travelers: Non-Jamaican business travelers coming to Jamaica for less than 14 days would be required to be tested on arrival.

They would then be subject to quarantine orders at their hotel while they await their test results. If they test positive, they go into isolation either at the hotel or in a government facility.If they test negative, they may proceed to conduct their business meetings as planned.

WORK SMART , WORK SAFE:
The category of persons who may need to work from home has been expanded to include persons who need to care for someone with a disability. Previously we had only included persons who needed to stay home to take care of children or the elderly.

Controlled Re-entry: we have now made explicit provisions for spouse and dependents of a citizen of Jamaica to travel to Jamaica with that citizen so that it is easier for families to return together.

Beaches and Rivers:
After much deliberation, we have decided to allow access to beaches & rivers at specific times & with very specific guidelines & control measures. This will be in effect from Sunday, June 7, 2020 to June 30, 2020.

Weddings:
Another incremental step relates to modifications on the attendance at weddings also as of Sunday, June 7, 2020. Subject to social distancing and other health protocols at the selected venue including a place of worship, a maximum of 50 persons will be able to attend.

If the venue can only hold 30 persons taking into account the social distancing requirements, then only 30 persons can attend.We know that especially for the month of June this is a welcomed change.

All protocols including masks, sanitizing and distancing must be adhered to, we need to ensure that it is a happy and safe occasion.

Funerals

With respect to funerals, as of Sunday, June 7, 2020; wherever a funeral service is being held subject to social distancing and other health protocols, a maximum of 50 persons will be able to attend.

If the venue can only hold 30 persons taking into account the social distancing requirements, then only 30 persons can attend.

Note as well that the maximum 15 of which no more than 10 may be mourners has not changed for the burials.

Just to be clear; notwithstanding the specific social distancing measures for places of worship so therefore as applicable they allow numbers based on square footage, note that for funerals & weddings the maximum number of 50 (or less based on social distancing) will obtain.

The number of persons to be present for burials remain at 15.