Jamaica: UDC informs no fireworks will be staged on New years’ eve

Kingston, Jamaica: Urban Development Corporation (UDC) informed, no annual fireworks will be mounted on the New Year’s Eve events on the Waterfront and Fireworks on the Bay.

These traditional annual fireworks were hosted by the UDC and its subsidiary, St Ann Development Company (SADCo), respectively in a row.

The fireworks were like a custom for the Jamaicans. Every year more than 300,000 citizens would gather along the Kingston Waterfront and Ocho Rios Bay Beach to take a glimpse of the mesmerizing fireworks and start their new year with positive vibes. But this year, it won’t happen, following the deadliest COVID-19 outbreak.

UDC expressed gratitude to the Jamaican public, sponsors and other stakeholders who have consistently sustained Fireworks over the past years.

The corporation says it is positive and looks forward to returning these well-loved occasions in the future, stating that UDC is cognizant of the physical distancing and public gathering guidelines in place for public safety.

UDC added that it supports the Jamaican government’s efforts in order to curb the spread of the virus.

Earlier this month, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) reminded the general public that bursting fireworks (pyrotechnics) and firecrackers remain illegal in the Caribbean island. JCF officials provided a reminder as being illegal; still, the firecrackers are being sold on the streets.

The Head of the Public Safety & Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) – Gary McKenzie, asked the citizens not to burst crackers, adding that no permit yet has been provided by the Jamaican government.

The COVID-19 virus in Jamaica:

Since the pandemic emerged on the island, it has recorded 92,950 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus. Meanwhile, to date, 2,464 individuals lost their lives to the contagious virus.

The island failed to achieve the vaccination coverage target set by the WHO, World Health Organisation, as only 18.9 % of the Jamaican population is fully inoculated.