News from the OPM

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has expressed sadness at the passing of Jeanette Grant-Woodham, the first woman Senate President of Jamaica. Mrs Grant-Woodham died this morning. Prime Minister Holness said; “Jeanette was a trailblazer. Words such as, “first woman to ever”, can be attached to many of her accomplishments in the areas of politics and education. Jeanette pushed boundaries, broke barriers, and did the seemingly impossible. May her soul Rest In Peace.” In 1970, Jeanette Grant-Woodham became the first principal of the Tivoli Gardens Comprehensive High School. In 1980, the members of the Senate of Jamaica elected her as its Deputy President. In 1984, she became the first female President of the Senate of Jamaica and in 1986, she was appointed Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Trade and Industry. In 1993, she served as Executive Director of the Jamaican Institute of Management, and in 1994 was among the first four female Certified Trainers by the Institute of Public Leadership. The Prime Minister has extended his deepest condolences to the family and friends  of Mrs Jeanette Grant-Woodham who he describes as an outstanding Jamaican.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced several changes to COVID-19 restrictions aimed at stemming the increase in positive cases of the virus. Beginning today (September 8) the nightly islandwide curfew will be from 8pm to 5am the following day. The new measures will end September 23, 2020, when further amended measures will be announced. In addition to tightening the curfew hours; Gatherings have been reduced from 20 to 15 persons. For any such gatherings, social distance of the minimum 6ft must be maintained. Churches are prohibited from hosting funeral services, conventions and other special events. Burials may continue, with no more than 15 persons at the graveside, including the clergy and the funeral home personnel. Worship services may continue within the existing guidelines, requiring temperature checks, sanitization and the mandatory wearing of masks during services. Employers are encouraged to allow employees to work from home where possible. Persons 70 years and older are required to work from home and otherwise, must stay home. They are however permitted to leave home once per day for medical care, food, exercise and other essentials of life. Taxi operators should now carry one person less than the maximum number of persons allowed to be carried under…

Four Ministers took the Oath of Office yesterday (September 7) as they were sworn in during a brief ceremony at King's House. The Oath was administered by the Governor General Sir Patrick Allen. Those appointed are: The Honourable Dr. Horace Chang, Deputy Prime Minister of Jamaica and Minister of National Security. Dr. the Honourable Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health and Wellness. Dr. the Honourable Nigel Clarke, Minister of Finance and the Public Service. Mrs. Kamina Johnson Smith, appointed Senator and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, Prime Minister the Most Hon. Andrew Holness expressed confidence in the competence of his team in executing their roles. “I have to ensure that I have a team that is competent, I have a team that has the drive and energy, a team that exercises good judgment, and a team that understands their role and are great advocates for the mission of the government. In this regard, I am confident that we have enough personnel who fit the criteria, people who are competent in the areas, and people who have the drive to get things done. That has been the definition of the previous Administration, and it will continue…

The Most Hon. Andrew Holness was today (September 7) sworn into Office at King's House sealing his reappointment as Prime Minister of Jamaica. In keeping with COVID19 restrictions, the ceremony which was held in the ballroom of King's House, was attended virtually by most guests. In accordance with the constitution of Jamaica, Prime Minister Holness took the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Office of Prime Minister of Jamaica after which he received the instrument of Appointment to the Office of the Prime Minister from the Governor General. In his augural address, the Prime Minister stressed that every member of the Government must understand that the mandate given to them in the electoral victory by the people of Jamaica is about the people. He said the Government will work hard to ensure accountability. "We know that a large number of Jamaicans are not satisfied with the integrity, dignity and efficiency of their state and government. We, therefore, see the strong correlation between the success of our economic and social programme and the trust of the public. We commit to make [the] Government of the highest integrity, dignity, and efficiency. There is no honeymoon period for this Government. Already, I am back at my…

The government has adjusted the island-wide nightly curfew measures for parishes outside of Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine, Clarendon, and St. Thomas. Effective Thursday, August 27, 2020, the nightly curfews in these parishes will be adjusted from 11 pm to begin at 9 pm, and end at 5 am until September 30, 2020. The parishes of Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine, Clarendon, and St. Thomas are currently on a nightly curfew from 7 pm to 5 am that ends on September 2, 2020, at 5 am. Thereafter, the curfew time will begin at 9 pm, and end at 5 am consistent with the other parishes in Jamaica. Prime Minister Andrew Holness made the announcement last night at a digital press conference to update the nation on the recent decisions on COVID-19 made by Cabinet. In addition to curfew adjustment, the government has implemented other measures that will take effect on Thursday, August 27, 2020. Church funeral services will be prohibited island-wide. Burials will be permitted with 15 persons, including ten (10) mourners, and the next five (5) will be the officiating clergy, the funeral officials, and the persons preparing the graveside. Funeral processions will only include the hearse…

The Government has implemented new curfew measures for some parishes amid the spike in Covid-19 cases. Effective tomorrow, Saturday August 22, 2020, the nightly curfew in the parishes of Kingston and St. Andrew and, St, Catherine will begin from 7 pm to 5 am until 5 am on September 2, 2020. Residents in Kingston and St. Andrew and St. Catherine will now join residents in the parishes of St. Thomas and Clarendon with similar curfew times and extended Covid-19 measures. Prime Minister Andrew Holness made the announcement today, August 21, in a press conference to update the nation on the decisions made by the Cabinet concerning Covid-19. The measures fall under the Disaster Risk Management Act. The amended measures for the parishes of Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine, Clarendon, and St. Thomas are: The nightly curfew will now begin at 7 pm until 5 am, The protocols regarding travel time for drivers of public passenger vehicles one hour before and after the curfew remain the same, Churches are prohibited from holding funeral services and conventions; however, regular church services are permitted, Burials are permitted with only 15 persons at the burial site, All meetings for organizations must follow the…

With the reopening of several sectors, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has expressed  optimism as it relates to Jamaica’s economic recovery in the COVID 19 pandemic. “I am already seeing, where cement consumption is up; that means our construction is up; I am seeing that our manufacturers have increased their production. I am seeing where fuel consumption is trending up - very good, and I am seeing that our Jamaicans in the diaspora are continuing to support Jamaicans back home,” said Prime Minister Holness. Prime Minister Holness said that the Government has had to do a balancing act with the opening of our borders, so that Jamaica can have some much needed activity in the tourism industry. Tourism is the country’s top foreign exchange earner and employs a significant number of Jamaicans. He said he is aware that   tourism workers are experiencing great hardships, and are  grappling with how they are going to send their children back to school. For this reason, the Prime Minister says a balance is essential to the survival of everyone. In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness stated that he has been working for the people, to improve lives and livelihoods. He noted that his Administration…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says Jamaica must fundamentally transform its approach to technology to remain relevant and competitive in the 21st century to compete in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. “The Fourth Industrial Revolution is being accelerated by the pandemic. One would have thought that the pandemic probably would have turned back civilization. What it has done is to intensify the adaptation and mainstreaming of technology. It's scale, scope, and complexity will transform the world unlike anything we have experienced before,” said Prime Minister Holness at the launch of the Commission last week. In that regard, Prime Minister Holness asserted that Jamaicans must become innovators of technology and must be deliberate and instrumental in developing the skills necessary to be able to compete in the new dynamic that is about to come. “We need to make the mental shift from merely being users of technology to becoming developers and creators of technology. It may seem like an audacious vision for a small island like Jamaica but in addition to being known for our speed on the track, our music and culture, we must become known for being innovators and creators in science and technology,” said Prime Minister Holness. According to Prime…

The Government is set to launch a design competition for housing solutions across the island. The announcement was made yesterday (July 30) by Prime Andrew Holness while speaking at the Handing over ceremony for social housing at Moore Pen Old Harbour Bay, St. Catherine. Prime Minister Holness said his Government is always seeking to be different, especially in finding ways to lower the costs of developing housing solutions for every Jamaican. In that regard, the Prime Minister said improving technology is critical. The competition will allow creative Engineers and Architects to compete by submitting designs to lessen the cost for the development of  various housing projects. “We are going to be calling upon our Engineers and our Architects to come together with engineering designs, architectural designs and material selections that would see a lower cost but high quality solution that we can use and replicate right across Jamaica. More details of this competition will be announced next week but I know there are many creative Engineers, Architects and builders who would want to participate in such a competition,” said Prime Minister Holness. With that in mind, Prime Minister Holness further stated that the Government is ensuring that they are not…