Thread by @AndrewHolnessJM

#Thread: Covid-19 Update

Unfortunately, we have lost 949 persons to the pandemic. I extend my deepest sympathies to all Jamaicans who have lost loved ones to this terrible pandemic.

Our numbers have been trending downwards with the number of new cases declining faster than new hospitalizations.
This demonstrates that the measures implemented since the end of February have been successful in controlling the spike.

We have consistently increased our hospital bed capacity allocated to COVID-19. We now have an allocation of over 700 beds.

While our hospitalizations have been trending down and are now significantly below our bed capacity, we are still in the high risk category and need to see a further decline.

The Government is very sensitive to the fact that these tighter measures have taken a toll on the livelihoods of many. They have also had a negative psychological impact on the population.

This negative psychological impact has been exacerbated by the perception that the burden of the restrictions and the measures is not felt equally by all in the society.

The recent event which attracted national outrage has reinforced this perception and unleashed a sense of frustration and anger in the society.

I have asked for an investigation into the event and the circumstances and reinforced to the various arms of the State that have a duty to ensure the equal application of the law.

Measures to manage pandemic and slow the spread throws up serious equity issues. Any action to slow movement and gatherings will have a negative impact generally on the economy but will have a disproportionate impact on the poor.

Measures requiring person to shelter in place, curfews, stay at home and work from home, will disproportionately affect persons who don’t have proper shelter and access to the internet to enable virtual connections and virtual work and learning.

Limited access and information management literacy will disproportionately affect the behaviour of the poor. For example, while vaccine hesitancy cuts across all social strata, hesitancy towards vaccines will be higher for poorer groups and therefore could potentially increase...

..... their risk of adverse health impacts from the pandemic.

While there has been improvement in our situation over the last two months, significant risks remain. Only approximately 5% of our population has received the first dose of the vaccine and less than 1% is fully vaccinated.

We must take a gradual and measured approach to relaxation of the measures. It is critical that all Jamaicans remain cautious and diligent in observing the protocols – wearing masks, distancing and sanitizing. We have now experienced two spikes in Jamaica.

We know the behaviours and the carelessness that result in spikes. Let us not repeat the mistakes of the past. Let us view the recrafting of the measures, not as a free-for-all but as an opportunity to safely pursue our livelihoods.

Let us exercise personal responsibility, to prevent a third wave that will force us to tighten the measures once again.

The new measures that will apply for a four-week period to June 30, 2021 are as follows:

Curfew Hours:

For weekdays (Monday to Friday) the curfew will be 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following morning ending at 5 a.m. on July 1, 2021.

For weekends, the curfew will begin at 8 p.m. on Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Sundays and end at 5 a.m. the following morning.

The age limit for the stay-at-home measure remains at 60 until June 30, 2021. However, persons who are fully vaccinated will be exempt from this. We encourage them to carry evidence of their vaccinations with them – either the vaccination card or a picture of it on their phones

The existing work from home directive in the public sector is being extended until June 30, 2021. Therefore, only persons who work in critical service delivery and perform job functions that require them to be at the physical location should be at the office.

For the private sector, employers should allow all persons who can work from home to do so.

The public gathering limit will remain at 10 persons until June 30, 2021.

Public entities may now hold events such as handing-overs, launches, ground-breakings, opening ceremonies or similar events but there should be no more than 30 persons physically present and the requirements to wear masks and maintain physical distance continue to apply.

For markets and vending in public arcades and public transportation centres, operating hours will be from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays. Markets remain closed on Sundays.

Public transportation operators will still be allowed to be on the road one hour before and one hour after curfew but there can be no passengers in the vehicles during those periods.

All persons in PPVs are reminded to wear masks at all times and sanitize before entry and exit of vehicles, ensure the windows remain open and the AC is off during each trip.

As a reminder, motor vehicles that provide public transportation are to have one less passenger than is allowed by the license.

Funeral services are not permitted during the period ending June 30, 2021. Madam Speaker, let me explain as there appears to be some confusion around this. What this means is services with the mortal remains being present are not permitted.

However, memorial services are permitted with observance of the normal protocols and the limit on number of persons applicable to normal worship services.

The existing limits on burials remain in place. The maximum number of mourners permitted is 10 with an additional 5 persons allowed comprising the officiating clergy, grave diggers and undertakers.

Therefore, the maximum number of persons at any burial is 15. As a reminder, burials will be allowed on Mondays to Fridays only during the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and the time for conducting the burial is limited to 30 minutes.

The maximum number of persons who may be physically present to facilitate worship or electronic broadcast (including officiating clergy and technical support personnel) will be increased from 30 to 50, effective June 3, 2020.

As a reminder, normal worship or memorial services are permitted but no crusades, conferences or conventions are to be held.

The cap on the number of persons permitted at a marriage ceremony will be increased from 15 to 50.

All beaches and rivers will be open effective June 3, 2021, but they will be subject to the same protocols as are applicable to those that are under organized management and control.

For example, no more than 10 persons at a time shall gather in any one area of the beach; social distancing must be maintained with the exception of members of the same household, family or group, who may gather in groups consisting of two persons each.

Activities at the beach shall be limited to swimming, exercising and sunbathing. No beach parties or group games (such as football or volleyball) shall be permitted.

Beaches and rivers will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday to Saturday and from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Zoos, parks, gyms, attractions and bars are subject to the existing restrictions and must close at the designated times until June 30, 2021.

Amusement or gaming arcades not licensed under the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act) must remain closed until June 30, 2021.

Indoor cinemas and establishments that stage theatrical or artistic performances will remain closed until June 30, 2021.

The ban on events such as concerts, parties, tailgate parties, round robins will continue until June 30, 2021.

The Government is cognizant of the devastating impact that the pandemic has had on the entertainment industry and the large number of persons who depend on the industry for their livelihoods.

We are engaged in discussions with the industry with a view to agreeing the appropriate protocols that could facilitate a limited reopening of the industry in the summer.

You will recall that our previous attempt to allow entertainment to open up in the summer of 2020 was one of the factors that resulted in our first spike. safe and sustainable way.

The discussions have been constructive and encouraging and the industry has expressed a commitment to implementing strict protocols to allow it to operate in a safe and sustainable way.

While we have relaxed some of the measures, there can be no relaxation of the requirement to always wear a mask to cover your nose and mouth in a public place, as well as the requirements to be physically distant. times.

As at Friday, May 28, 2021 approximately 155,683 persons had received the first dose of the vaccine and 22,206 persons had received their second dose.

I must emphasize how critical it is for persons who have received their first dose of the vaccine to get their second dose. The level of protection from only one dose is significantly lower than the level provided by taking both doses and it declines rapidly after 120 days.

Persons who have had their first dose and are unclear where to get their second dose should contact the Ministry of Health and Wellness or their local health centres to make arrangements after at least 8 weeks have passed after the first dose.

Overall, there is no room for complacency. The experience of other countries should serve as a warning of how quickly complacency can lead to catastrophe. We must to continue to exercise personal responsibility by strictly observing the protocols.