News from the OPM

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced modified measures under the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA) to take effect June 24 and July 1, 2021. The Prime Minister made the announcements yesterday, (June 22, 2021) in Parliament. The recrafted measures which are to take effect tomorrow, June 24, 2021, are as follows: Places of Worship:  the maximum number of persons physically present will be determined as 70% of the capacity which is calculated based on one person for every 40 sq ft of the designated worship area. Indoor theatres and cinemas will be allowed to open with the same size-based capacity limitation - One person for every 40 square feet or 70% of seated capacity, whichever is lower. Drive-in cinemas: the maximum number of persons in any vehicle should not exceed the number permitted to be in the vehicle under the registration. For vehicles that are registered to carry more than 7 persons, the maximum allowed will be 8 persons.  A vehicle designed to accommodate no more than 15 persons shall be the largest permitted. The broader measures to take effect on July 1, 2021, are: Curfew Hours: The curfew hours for weekdays and Saturday will be 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says it is important for us to develop and mold our talents in the performing arts from early. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the St. Catherine High School Performance Arts Centre recently, the Prime Minister says entertainment is a major part of our culture and as such we should give every child the opportunity to develop and hone their talent in the performance arts while in school. The Prime Minister underscored that performance arts must be treated with prominence and should not be regarded merely as an extra-curricular activity. He pointed out that Jamaica has much to offer the world in the form of art and music and the early development of talent in the performing arts will ensure that “we create the talent pool that generates the content that the world will pay for”. In that regard, the Prime Minister says future entertainers must be encouraged to deliver pro-social and pro-growth content that will help to create a better society. He notes that our current entertainers should use their talents to deliver more positive messages using language that enables not just local, but international consumption. The Prime Minister says our music has been influencing…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government is focused on ensuring ‘purpose-built schools’ across the island. The declaration comes following a previous announcement by the Prime Minister, that the Government will be constructing six new schools. Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony for the St. Catherine High School Performance Arts Centre on Friday, (June 18, 2021), Prime Minister Holness said there is need for more ‘purpose-built' institutions with high-tech digital laboratories, green spaces and play areas as well as performance arts centres. The Prime Minister explained that modern additions such as laboratories to the learning environment, will positively impact the way in which students learn and improve their skills. The Prime Minister stressed that with the direction in which the world is headed, great emphasis must be placed on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). This he notes, will assist the country to advance quickly and continue to move towards becoming a truly modern, multidimensional, and prosperous nation. Meanwhile the Prime Minister says he has listened to the ongoing debate on whether the new schools to be built should focus exclusively on STEM areas. He says, he believes the study of the Arts is crucial, and that a focus on STEM does not come at…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is appealing to fathers to show love to their children and to not use anger in their interactions with them. The Prime Minister says it must no longer be seen as being soft for men to express genuine love to their children, this includes physical displays of affection such as sharing a hug. Prime Minister Holness also says the notion that children must be seen and not heard is gravely impacting the society. Speaking in an interview on the subject of fatherhood, Prime Minister Holness says every child must be given the freedom to share their thoughts. The Prime Minister says while encouraging and facilitating healthy dialogue between parents and children, parents must also strive to instill in their children, discipline and respect. He notes that being patient and giving children the opportunity to speak, is paramount in the household and is much more effective than harsh punishment. Prime Minister Holness said; “Since the birth of my children, I’ve made it my point of duty to never consider corporal punishment. I instead listen to the sound reasoning of my children because I think, the ability to listen to your children brings about the ability within them to elaborate on…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government is ensuring that it is not complicit in any breach of the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA) adding that the law will be applied equally to everyone. Speaking to the issue of a party held in breach of the Covid-19 protocols, Prime Minister Holness said, “There is a particular situation that has come on our radar this morning. One that I have to pay careful attention to, because it throws up something with which we are always contending; the unequalness of the society - the haves and the have nots.” In that regard, the Prime Minister noted that the Government has a duty to ensure that the DRMA is not just observed in words but followed by all, and as such, he supports a full investigation into the matter. “I have asked for a report; my own investigations will be conducted and I expect the  various arms of the State that have a duty to ensure the equal application of the law, to move quickly in that direction to ensure that the full application of the law will be guaranteed.” said Prime Minister Holness. In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness urged all Jamaicans…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is calling on the international community to assist the region in bridging gaps within the SDGs as small developing nations recover from Covid-19. Speaking recently at the virtual P4G Summit hosted by the Government of the Republic of Korea, Prime Minister Holness indicated several areas within the SDGs that require attention. He noted that recovery for Jamaica in particular, includes resilience which is linked to categories in the SDGs and the climate change agenda. On the subject of an accelerated approach to the climate change agenda, the Prime Minister stated that financial resources must be “scaled up and access simplified”. The Prime Minister said, “New categories must be established for access to concessional and non-concessional development finance based on vulnerability measures rather than per capita income.” He further noted that there should be more resources dedicated to adaptation in recognition of the vulnerability of countries which are low emitters, and access to appropriate technology, especially for early warning systems, research and development, digitization and modernization should be assured. In this regard, Prime Minister Holness says, now is the time to implement an inclusive approach that is beneficial to all. “Today we have a unique opportunity to…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is calling on the international community to assist the region in bridging gaps within the SDGs as small developing nations recover from Covid-19. Speaking recently at the virtual P4G Summit hosted by the Government of the Republic of Korea, Prime Minister Holness indicated several areas within the SDGs that require attention. He noted that recovery for Jamaica in particular, includes resilience which is linked to categories in the SDGs and the climate change agenda. On the subject of an accelerated approach to the climate change agenda, the Prime Minister stated that financial resources must be “scaled up and access simplified”. The Prime Minister said, “New categories must be established for access to concessional and non-concessional development finance based on vulnerability measures rather than per capita income.” He further noted that there should be more resources dedicated to adaptation in recognition of the vulnerability of countries which are low emitters, and access to appropriate technology, especially for early warning systems, research and development, digitization and modernization should be assured. In this regard, Prime Minister Holness says, now is the time to implement an inclusive approach that is beneficial to all. “Today we have a unique opportunity to…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government is anticipating the reopening of the entertainment economy. The Prime Minister says his Government is fully cognizant of the  value of Jamaica’s entertainment economy and noted that one of the ways to ensure the speedy recovery of the sector, is for persons to become inoculated against Covid-19. The Prime Minister was speaking today (June 3, 2021) at the Renaming of  Denham Town Primary and Infant School to the Edward Seaga Seaga Primary and Infant School in West Kingston. The Prime Minister said; “I truly do appreciate the challenges, and as we seek to reopen the sector, taking the vaccine will make that process much faster.” In that regard, the Prime Minister reiterated the call for equitable access to vaccines. He says “hopefully Jamaica will get a significant share of what is available to the region.” In the meantime, in a recent statement in Parliament, Prime Minister Holness said the Government is engaged in discussions with a view to agreeing on the appropriate protocols for a limited reopening of the entertainment sector this summer. Additionally, the Prime Minister says the intention of the Government has been to reopen the industry in a safe and…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government is anticipating the reopening of the entertainment economy. The Prime Minister says his Government is fully cognizant of the  value of Jamaica’s entertainment economy and noted that one of the ways to ensure the speedy recovery of the sector, is for persons to become inoculated against Covid-19. The Prime Minister was speaking today (June 3, 2021) at the Renaming of  Denham Town Primary and Infant School to the Edward Seaga Seaga Primary and Infant School in West Kingston. The Prime Minister said; “I truly do appreciate the challenges, and as we seek to reopen the sector, taking the vaccine will make that process much faster.” In that regard, the Prime Minister reiterated the call for equitable access to vaccines. He says “hopefully Jamaica will get a significant share of what is available to the region.” In the meantime, in a recent statement in Parliament, Prime Minister Holness said the Government is engaged in discussions with a view to agreeing on the appropriate protocols for a limited reopening of the entertainment sector this summer. Additionally, the Prime Minister says the intention of the Government has been to reopen the industry in a safe and…