The Government of Jamaica has officially taken the decision to recognize the State of Palestine 🇵🇸. Jamaica continues to advocate for a two-state solution as the only viable option to resolve longstanding conflict, guarantee the security of Israel and uphold the rights of the Palestinians. #Peace

(1/4) This morning, Jamaica received medical equipment and supplies from Northwell Health based in Queens, New York.

Since August 2021, Northwell Health has made two shipments of critical medical equipment and supplies. (2/4) I want to thank Mr. Michael Dowling, President and CEO of Northwell Health, and their logistics team for their tremendous support.

Throne Speech 2022: "Building Our Jamaica: Peace, Opportunity, and Prosperity. #BuildingOurJamaica #Peace #Opportunity #Prosperity. This year is our 60th year of Independence. As we celebrate, let us honour the contributions and heroic sacrifices of those who laid the foundation on which we continue to build.

On the advice of the security forces, I have recommended to the Governor General that States of Public Emergency be declared in the St. James, Westmoreland, Hanover, Kingston Central, Kingston East, Kingston West & the St. Andrew South Police Divisions. A detailed description of the boundaries is as follows:
North: The northern boundary will start at the westernmost end of the Belvedere to Ferry secondary road, extending in an easterly direction along the Belvedere to Ferry Road & then continue easterly to the foot of Red Hills,

Join Ambassador Audrey Marks (@AmbAPMarks) tonight, Thursday, November 11, 2021, at 7:00 PM on 'Let's Connect With Ambassador Marks.' The series will feature Virginia's newly elected Lieutenant Governor, a proud Jamaican-American, Mrs Winsome Sears, the first female and woman of colour elected to a State-wide office in Virginia.

#Covid19Update

The current set of measures were due to remain in place until August 10, 2021. Based on the rapid increase that we are seeing in all our key indicators, it is clear that we need to act now. The following changes to the measures will apply for the two-week period from tomorrow, Tuesday, July 27, 2021 to August 10, 2021:

#Covid19Update #Thread

Based on the latest report from this morning, Jamaica recorded 122 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday. Our cumulative cases of COVID-19 are now 51,404 and, sadly 1,163 people have died. I offer condolences to all those who have lost family, friends, loved ones and colleagues to this terrible pandemic. For all those who are in hospital fighting the virus as well as others who are ill but not hospitalized, I pray for a speedy recovery.

#NashawnBrown #Thread
The case of Nashawn Brown, a promising 4-yr-old who was severely beaten by his stepdad has again brought to the fore the plight of our children who continue to face physical, sexual & emotional abuse from adults in their lives who are meant to protect them. We continue to be horrified by reports of violent & cruel acts being meted out to children. This should not be tolerated. In the same way we have address and condemn other forms of violence, we must unequivocally, loudly & resolutely condemn violence against our children.

Five outstanding merit-based tertiary scholarships and the Hon. Edwin Allen Scholarship for a student who demonstrates potential and perseverance, are now open to Jamaicans who have been accepted into university and are between the ages of 17 and 25. The six Jamaica Labour Party National Scholarships this year are named in honour of past Ministers who were part of government formed by the Jamaica Labour Party.

#Thread
Covid-19 Update:

Effective Thursday, June 24, 2021, we will modify the existing Order to phase in new measures for places of worship and cinemas. Instead of the current limit of 50 persons, it will now be capacity based. The maximum number of persons physically present will be determined as 70% of the capacity which is calculated based on 1 person for every 40 sq. ft. of the designated worship area. All existing protocols, including, temperature checks, sanitization, & mask wearing must continue.

#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.

#Thread
Weekdays curfew hours will remain at 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following morning ending at 5 a.m. on June 3, 2021.
Weekend curfew hours will be modified for the next four weekends starting at 6 p.m. on Saturdays & at 2 p.m. on Sundays, ending at at 5 a.m. the next morning. For Labour Day, Monday, May 24, 2021, there will be an all-day curfew. Therefore, on Sunday, May 23, the curfew will begin at 2 p.m. and end on Tuesday, May 25, at 5 a.m.

(1/4) Today, May 4, 2021, is Read Across Jamaica Day; an annual observation as part of Education Week. (2/4) In recognition of the day, I was happy to welcome some of our young learners from the Mona Preparatory School onto the lawns of Jamaica House where I read them the book, ‘My Brain Is My Boss' by Suzanne Francis Brown.

(1/4) Jamaica joins the rest of the world today, May 3, to mark World Press Freedom Day.

The theme this year is “Information as a Public Good”. (2/4) Jamaica's ranking of 7th on the global press freedom index is testament to this Administration's commitment to a free press to improve our democracy, while acknowledging the importance of the voice of the people.

#Thread Covid-19 Update:

Yesterday, we had 673 positive cases out of 3,027 samples tested which is a test positivity rate of 22.2%. The public sector test positivity rate which is based on the more reliable PCR tests was however 36.7%. Unfortunately, 533 persons have died due to the pandemic; the case fatality rate is 1.5%. There have been deaths in every age group, however, 3.7% of those who contract the disease in the age group 60 – 69 have died and they account for 21.2% of all deaths.

#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.

It is with deep sadness that I inform the nation of the passing of our dear Shahine Robinson, former Minister of Labour and Social Security and Member of Parliament for North East St. Ann. Shahine was a patriot, a servant of the people, a much loved political representative adored by her constituents, a humanitarian and great personal friend.

(1/6)Areas to be addressed as we look to the future:
1. Being able to know our citizens and plan for their needs - Uniquely identifying every citizen will ensure that we are better able to prepare, plan and protect. (2/6) 2. Increasing financial inclusion through providing every citizen with a bank account – this is a pre-requisite to allowing every citizen the opportunity to undertake transactions electronically without being physically present, for example...

#THREAD: Under my administration, Jamaica now has one of the most advanced and robust anti-corruption framework certainly in this region. My administration passed the legislation to establish the Integrity Commission and MOCA.
It is still in its early stages and not perfected. One element of the framework introduced by me is the publishing of the summary financial position of the Parliamentary leaders of the country. The first publishing acts as the benchmark against which future declarations can be judged.

GG: Over the past three years, there has been great hope across the country and action towards prosperity. This is creating on the horizon a new Jamaica of which we all can be proud. #NewJamaica #Thronespeech Although for some it was viewed as a mere ritual, the Throne Speech plays an important role in outlining the priorities of the govt for the new financial year, bringing together all arms of the state in partnership towards building the new and prosperous Jamaica.