News from the OPM

A number of the existing measures to control the spread of COVID-19, which expire on November 16, 2020 under the Disaster Risk Management (Enforcement Measures) (No. 15) Order, 2020, are being extended through an amendment to the Order. The islandwide curfew time will remain at 9 pm – 5 am each day, continuing from 9 pm tonight, Monday November 16, until 5 am on December 1, 2020. As it relates to the provision of public transportation: Public transportation by motor vehicle being limited to one person less than the maximum number of persons allowed to be carried under the relevant license will remain in effect until November 30, 2020. As currently obtains, public transportation operators will be allowed one hour before and one hour after the curfew to get to or from base to home. It is to be noted that no passengers are allowed to be transported during these one-hour periods. Drivers are to comply with the requirements of keeping windows open and having the air conditioning turned off when operating the vehicle. The current protocols under the Controlled Entry Programme for both residents and visitors will remain in effect until November 30, 2020.  While the requirements for pre-testing…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government engaged in a rigorous and lengthy process ahead of granting permit for mining to take place in the Puerto Bueno Mountain also known as Dry Harbour Mountain in St. Ann. Speaking in St. Ann yesterday (November 12), the Prime Minister noted that it is not the intention of the Government to destroy the country’s asset. Instead, the Government is committed to preserving, promoting and protecting the natural environment. “Any decision about development has to be made with the environment first and foremost in mind, so if we are going to build, if we are going to mine, environmental considerations are always foremost in our minds. Before we act as a Government, we go through the steps and procedures always knowing that any action that is taken as a public official is open to review, it is open to review by the public, it is open to review by the courts and so we always try to be exceptionally careful,” said Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister stated that the developers must adhere to the 71 conditions of the permit and he also outlined that the development plan for Puerto Bueno Mountain, does not only include…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has expressed sadness at the death of a Correctional Officer, Jimel Westley, at the St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre this morning (November 13). “I was deeply saddened when I learnt of Jimel’s  death while in the line of duty. Words are insufficient to convey my sympathies. I pray for strength for his family and his colleagues in the Department of Correctional Services who are grieving an unimaginable loss at this time.” said Prime Minister Holness. Westley was attacked and stabbed with a makeshift ice pick by an inmate during the cell locking down process; he died at hospital during surgery. “Like other law enforcement officers, Correctional Officers are faced with the potential for danger every day as they ensure the safe, secure, and efficient operation of our prisons and monitoring dangerous criminals behind bars. It is such a tragedy that a detainee was able to fashion an instrument that took the life of an Officer doing his job. I believe the Department of Corrections will be even more vigilant in detecting these tools before they can cause even more fatal stabbings and maiming.” said Prime Minister Holness. Prime Minister Holness stated that Officers should be afforded certain basic protection…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Tuesday, November 10, addressed the Honourable House of Parliament regarding the Government's response to the flooding caused by persistent rainfall across the length and breadth of the country. Given the persistent rainfall and predictions for further rainfall, the Government have had to be very measured in its response to date. There are some areas for which it is not practical to do any major work until after the rains. The National Works Agency (NWA) has once again been mobilizing equipment and personnel to clear blocked roads and restore access to communities.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Wednesday, November 11, 2020 delivered the keynote address at the orientation for the #JamaicaHouse Fellowship Programme at Banquet Hall, Jamaica House. The Prime Minister and Government Officials welcomed the second Cohort of the programme who will spend two years as paid full-time personnel assigned to the OPM or other GOJ offices, where they will work alongside senior government technocrats. The Fellows can expect to be involved in a wide range of high impact projects in a fast-paced and collaborative environment.

Prime Minister Holness said, “My heart goes out to his wife and 3 beautiful children who are left to mourn this devastating loss; they can count on the support of the government during this truly difficult time. I also extend my deepest condolences to the rest of his family and to his colleagues in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).” Preliminary reports indicate that Plummer responded to illegal gun salutes at a party in Clarendon. Prime Minister Holness noted that, in addition to the dangerous, illegal and totally unnecessary practice of celebratory discharge of firearms at events, the party was taking place at a time when such events have been restricted for the protection of the public health of the country. Prime Minister Holness further noted that there now appears to be a tendency for criminal elements at these prohibited events to challenge law enforcement to the point of serious injury and fatalities. Our security planners are always evaluating our national security landscape and will most certainly respond with appropriate strategies. The perpetrators of this heinous act against the State, who have deprived Constable Plummer of his life, and his family of his love, will be pursued relentlessly and brought to…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has extended congratulations to President-elect of the United States of America Joseph Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Mr. Biden, was announced as President-elect this morning (November 7) following the November 3, elections in the United States, making him the 46th US President. Prime Minister Holness said: “On behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica, I extend heartiest congratulations to the President-elect and Vice President-elect of the United States Joseph R. Biden and Kamala Harris. The United States of America will have its first woman and person of colour as Vice President in Kamala Harris. We are proud that she has Jamaican heritage. Her ascension to the role of VP is a monumental accomplishment for women all over the world and I salute her. Jamaica looks forward to the continued strong bilateral relations with our largest trading partner, the US, particularly as we work to stimulate our economies in the face of the COVID19 pandemic.”

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government has mobilized resources to assist those severely impacted by the heavy rains. The Prime Minister assured the nation that as soon as there is a break in the current weather conditions, the Government will deploy resources to ensure that critical infrastructure is repaired, and residents are assisted. Speaking yesterday (November 4) at a ceremony for the handing over of 43 devices under the Government’s Tablets in Schools Programme, at the Seaward Primary and Junior High School, Prime Minister Holness stated that the Government is carefully watching the rains to do further assessments and reallocations in the budget. “The Ministry of Agriculture is now in the process of doing their assessment, and we will very shortly have a programme in place as to how we will assist our farmers and fishers to recover from the damage,” said Prime Minister Holness. He further stated, “For persons who suffered the loss of stock, we have made some allocations through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to provide as much care and support as we can”. In that regard, Prime Minister Holness noted that the Government is prepared to respond because the Administration has been good…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is cautioning parents against sending ill children to school, ahead of the start of the Government's pilot project for the resumption of face to face classes in 17 public schools. The Prime Minister stated that this is one risk that can be addressed by parents as Government seeks to find the best methodologies to open schools. In that regard, he added that parents have an integral role to play in mitigating the risk by ensuring their child, other children who attend the school, and teachers are safe. “If your child is ill, then you have to ensure that based upon the Disaster Risk Management Act and the Orders in that Act, that you don’t send an ill child to school. I use the term ‘ill’ because if it is any flu-like symptoms: you should err on the side of caution and not send that child to school. Get medical attention before you venture out because we know that some parents will just carry the child to the school gate and leave the child,” said Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister was speaking yesterday (November 4) at a ceremony for the handing over of devices under the Government’s Tablets…