Jamaica’s Agri Minister resigns after his video flouting COVID protocols goes viral

Jamaica: The Agriculture Minister of Jamaica – Floyd Green, resigned from his post after a video went viral of a gathering over the internet in which he was seen breaching the COVID-19 protocols, and that reportedly occurred during a no-movement day.

The video received more than – 100,000 views creating outrage among the citizens across the island country.

In the video, which was posted on – social media on Tuesday, Green, along with Jamaica Labour Party – (JLP) councillor for the Mona Division in the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation, Andrew Bellamy, were seen celebrating and toasting alcohol.

Green and Bellamy joined with others in the group where none of them was wearing the mask in a toast after a member stated – no movement day.

The gathering was taking place at the district five restaurant at the – R Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica. After the video went viral, many officials, including the leader of the opposition – Mark Golding, demanded Floyd’s resignation.

In a statement this morning, Golding stated that for a government Minister who ought to be setting an instance for the people of the country, is flouting the – no-movement day restrictions & partying with friends is an insult to the people of Jamaica.

The statement further writes, “Ordinary Jamaicans would be locked up and charged with offences under the DRMA – [Disaster Risk Management Act] for doing this. Yet a Government Minister and his friends were there yesterday flossing & braffing away as if the COVID-19 restrictions mean nothing, showing utter contempt for the rules that his Government has imposed on the people.”

After all this, the Prime Minister Andrew Holness asked the agriculture minister to handover in his resignation. Floyd apologized for his actions, stating it demonstrated a lack of sensitivity and added that the lapse in judgment would never happen again.

The Minister added, “Today, I have disappointed so many. My family includes my son, my prime minister, and most importantly, the people of Jamaica I have sworn to serve. I accept that this was an error in judgment and that it sends the wrong signal, particularly in light of the government’s drive to reduce the spread of COVID-19. For this, I am really and truly very sorry.”