News from the OPM

The requirement for persons travelling to Jamaica to present a negative COVID-19 test certificate for a test conducted no earlier than three days prior to the date of departure for Jamaica; and the requirement for each person in an enclosed place to which the public has access, to wear a mask fitted to that person’s face so as to cover the person’s nose and mouth will expire on April 15, 2022. The measures were implemented for the period March 18 – April 15, 2022, under the Public Health Enforcement Measures (Coronavirus COVID-19) Order 2022 which was issued on March 18, 2022. All other measures under the Public Health Enforcement Measures (Coronavirus COVID-19) Order 2022 remain unchanged at this time. These include: A requirement for persons who test positive for COVID-19 to isolate at their abode until they have recovered; Directions relating to the conduct of COVID-19 testing and the handling of samples and reports by private laboratories; Provisions to protect the identity of persons who test positive for COVID-19; and A requirement for owners or operators of businesses, places of worship, educational institutions or other establishments to which the public has access to ensure that handwashing stations, or hand sanitizing…

The Office of the Prime Minister is pleased to announce that the President of the Republic of Rwanda, His Excellency Paul Kagame, will be paying a State Visit to Jamaica. President Kagame will visit Jamaica over the period April 13-15, 2022.  The visit is of special significance as it takes place during Jamaica’s diamond jubilee. The visit represents an important opportunity for the deepening of the bilateral relationship between Jamaica and the Republic of Rwanda, and reinforces the steadily burgeoning relationship between the African continent and the CARICOM Region. The invitation to President Kagame was extended by Prime Minister the Most Hon. Andrew Holness some two years ago, but the visit was unexpectedly delayed by the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020.

Says the history of the use of emergency powers, shows that they have been effective Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced that special legislation known as the Enhanced Security Measures Act (ESMA) will be brought before Parliament and made public shortly. This follows the announcement of the New Bail, Firearms and Corrections Acts.Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Little London police station in Westmoreland today (April 7) Prime Minister Holness said special emergency powers are required as part of the crime fighting strategy and plan.“I do hope that a wise position will prevail on the use of the emergency powers. It is an important tool to give communities at war a sense of peace”, said Prime Minister Holness.The Prime Minister further stressed that there is an emergency in the country and the Government and Judiciary must be cognizant of same. He emphasized that generally,  the perpetrators and victims of crime are young men between the ages of 16 and 24. He underscored, that the ESMA will place specific focus on this area. In the meantime, the Prime Minister indicated that the Government has taken a comprehensive approach to crime fighting through Plan Secure Jamaica; a component of that is…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness today (April 1) held bilateral discussions with the United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken on strengthening partnerships.The Prime Minister underscored that Jamaica wants to further its partnership in human resource development.“We are now at a point where we can pivot to other areas of our economic and social development, and our human capital development. Jamaica has been a net exporter of talent to the United States, and I think our long-standing people to people relationship with migration back and forth would have been mutually beneficial, but Jamaica is in a state now where its growth horizon, could potentially be limited by its human resource development,” said Prime Minister HolnessIn that regard, the Prime Minister emphasized that a small shift in economic policy could result in gains that are significant to both the economies of Jamaica and the United States. Moreover, Prime Minister Holness noted that it would be in the interest of the United States to strategically position its production capacity in countries like Jamaica, to improve the stability of production chains and the supply of goods and services.Furthermore, the Prime Minister stated that he took note of the recent announcement by the United States to release strategic oil…

The Government of Jamaica is pleased to announce the candidature of Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, for the post of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.  A decision on the appointment of a Secretary-General is to be made during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, to take place from 20th to 25th June 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda. Minister Johnson Smith, Jamaica’s first female Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, who was first appointed in 2016, is eminently qualified for the post. She has held several crucial leadership posts both regionally and internationally, having served as President of the OACPS Council of Ministers, Chair of CARIFORUM and the CARICOM Council on Trade and Economic Development. She has represented Jamaica at numerous bilateral, regional, hemispheric and international encounters, and was the first Jamaican Foreign Minister to be invited to G7 and G20 ministerial meetings.  Jamaica is currently the African, Caribbean and Pacific Coordinator within the World Trade Organisation, a role headed by Minister Johnson Smith. Prime Minister Andrew Holness said, “The Government of Jamaica has every confidence in Minister Johnson Smith’s abilities to build bridges and consensus, bringing governments and peoples to a common understanding. Her qualifications…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness met with key US Government Officials today, March 31, during his working visit in Washington DC. Marking the second day of his visit, the Prime Minister’s first meeting of the day took place with the Secretary of the Treasury, Janet Yellen. His second meeting of the day involved Gregory Meeks, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. In the afternoon, the Prime Minister met with USAID Administrator, Ambassador Samantha Power. In the meantime, the Prime Minister will also meet with other US Government officials to include, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Chairman of the House Finance Committee.

Millions of Dollars in Support Committed to Jamaica and Working Group to be Established to Facilitate Further Dialogue Prime Minister Andrew Holness met with Vice President of the United States, the Honourable Kamala Harris at the White House on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. Prime Minister Holness and Vice President Harris explored areas in which support and cooperation could be expanded between Jamaica and the United States. These include security, energy, capacity building, infrastructure development, and the creation of a nearshore digital technology hub. Prime Minister Holness noted that his visit takes place within the context of Jamaica’s celebration of 60 years of independence as well as the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the United States. He highlighted Jamaica’s success in the implementation of reforms to strengthen public financial management and establish a strong, stable, and resilient macroeconomic environment. This he noted was because of the hard work and sacrifice of the Jamaican people. To secure these gains, the Prime Minister said Jamaica must now turn its attention to addressing the vulnerabilities that had been exposed due to the ongoing pandemic, and other global developments.  The Prime Minister highlighted economic growth, national security, energy security and human capacity…

The Prime Minister says improving living conditions across the country is connected to a desire to ensure social justice for all Jamaicans and reduce criminality. Prime Minister Andrew Holness has underscored that the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP) forms a critical part of the Government’s deliberate and strategic approach to fighting crime. The Prime Minister said that this housing thrust, could positively impact children’s learning and resultantly stem the number of youths falling into deviant and criminal behaviour. “The thinking is that if we improve the conditions under which people live, it will lift the general well-being of the society," said Prime Minister Holness. In the meantime, the Prime Minister expressed that the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC) intends to reach the goal of completing 315 social housing units by year-end. In addition, Prime Minister Holness outlined the bureaucracy of the NSHP and assured the public of the continued objectivity and transparency which have underpinned the programme’s success thus far. “It goes through a very rigorous process of evaluation. Once that evaluation is done, we try to fulfil the legal requirement for building a house,” the Prime Minister said. In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness explained that the…

Condemns Gruesome Murder of Three Jamaicans in a Maverley Drive-by Shooting Which injured Three Others Prime Minister Andrew Holness is again calling on Jamaicans to cooperate with the police to stem the bloodshed in Jamaica. The Prime Minister made the appeal as he condemned the gruesome murder of three Jamaicans in a drive-by shooting on Thursday night which also injured three others. Prime Minister Holness said Jamaicans must realize that cooperating with the police is one of the most effective ways to help to rid Jamaica of crime and criminals. He noted that many Jamaicans are aware of criminal activities happening in their communities. The Prime Minister gave the reassurance that Jamaica now has a police force that will look after the safety of citizens who come forward with information on criminal activities. He also reminded Jamaicans that there are avenues for Jamaicans to anonymously provide information to the police and receive a reward. The Prime Minister reminded Jamaicans, that criminals do not care about them and that their objective is to kill innocent people. In this regard, the Prime Minister said this Government has no sympathy for criminals. Prime Minister Holness said the Government is deeply sensitive to law-abiding Jamaicans who are…