Jamaica: PM Holness announces re-implementation of COVID measures as 5th wave’s threat looms

Jamaica: The COVID-19 cases trend has been witnessing a hike, and to safeguard the residents of the country, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has asked to take extra precautions.

Prime Minister Holness has announced that the mask-wearing requirement will be re-instituted in short order as the COVID-19 positivity rate has increased.

In that regard, the prime minister urges Jamaicans to take extra precautions as the country faces the fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said as the positivity rate seemingly increases, there should be an abundance of caution.

The PM Holness said that while the pandemic will be a “continuing feature of life going forward,” Jamaicans, like persons in countries worldwide, will for some time experience recurrent bouts of infections from this disease.

In the meantime, the PM stated that “after two years, everyone should know how to behave to protect themselves from the virus.” He also encouraged people to get vaccinated.

The Prime Minister was quoted as, “I am urging all Jamaicans to act responsibly; by now, we know what to do. If you have not yet gotten your vaccine, I encourage you to do so. Vaccine sites are still open, and the vaccination procedure is ongoing; get vaccinated!”

He added, “Wear your mask, particularly indoors, but wear them generally, practice social distancing and sanitize”.

The prime minister spoke at the Handing over ceremony of a New Social Housing Project (NSHP) in St James East Central.

In the last 24 hours, the country reported 112 new cases, and the number of deaths reported is 148.

As of May 21, 2022, the country’s total number of COVID-19 cases is 128,246. Out of the total, the number of males is 54,744, and the number of females is 73,502. Total recovered cases in the country are 78,996, and the death tally is 2,835.