News from the OPM

Mrs. Maureen Dwyer, Chief Inspector in the National Education Inspectorate, will assume responsibilities as Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Youth and Information, with effect from 14th October 2021. This following Acting Permanent Secretary Dr. Grace McLean proceeding on leave with effect from tomorrow, 14th October 2021, in light of the Auditor General’s Report concerning fiduciary and related issues at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, and the investigations being pursued. Dr. McLean’s leave will ensure there is no hindrance, real or perceived, to the course of the investigations. The Government anticipates that the investigations will be thorough and expeditious.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says new vaccination policies are to be implemented after the Government completes its public education campaign.He noted that in the interim, all sections of the population must be exposed to information about the vaccine and given the choice and opportunity to get vaccinated.“We will respect people's rights and the process before we do anything, but we can’t continue like this for much longer; our children must go back to school. They have suffered the most, and so there will come a time when we will have to insist upon persons taking the vaccines,” said Prime Minister Holness.The Prime Minister’s comments came on Thursday (October 7, 2021), during a tour of Vaccination Blitz sites in North Central Clarendon. In addition, Prime Minister Holness acknowledged that in the past, vaccines saved societies from being destroyed and now, the country is at the point where the virus has impacted the way of life. He says it should be understood that if we don’t take the vaccine, the country will not return to normal. The Prime Minister said: “Those who don’t take the vaccine remain the host population for the reproduction and mutation of the virus. The consequence of this is…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared that the Government is redoubling its vaccination efforts and has set a target to significantly increase vaccinations by November, aiming to reach one million Jamaicans by the end of that month.Speaking on Thursday (October 7, 2021), during a  tour of Vaccination Blitz sites in North Central Clarendon, Prime Minister Holness said the Government will collaborate with various sectors to meet the target.“We have decided to redouble our efforts with another campaign to ensure that we reach one million vaccinated Jamaicans by the end of November. This is not impossible nor a very difficult task, it just requires greater focus. Right throughout the country, we will be pulling together our partners, including the unions and the churches to help us reach this target,” said Prime Minister Holness.The new target comes as the Government moves to ensure all vaccines are utilized before their date of expiration. He noted that the disposal of expired vaccines in the past is regrettable and called on all Jamaicans to reflect on their role in the vaccination programme.“The vaccines were given with a short time to expiration, and therefore with our best efforts, we probably still would have had a certain…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced the Government’s decision to initiate a formal review of the process for the selection of candidates for National Honours and Awards (NHA).A broad-based review committee to be announced shortly will be responsible for recommending changes. The Review Committee will comprise representatives from State, Government, Opposition, and Civil Society.The Prime Minister has written to His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen to advise him of the appointment of the Review Committee. The Review Committee will, inter alia, undertake the following: Examination of the existing process for the selection of candidates to be recommended for appointment to the National Orders, and to advise on action to be taken to strengthen same Establishment of such criteria that would guide, justifiable, merit-based selection, including the number of candidates to be awarded in each category Recommendation of systems of deeper due diligence and more robust vetting of shortlisted candidates Establishment of criteria that would prohibit the consideration for selection of any nominated candidate Recommendation of a methodology to foster and promote public awareness regarding the established and acceptable criteria to submit nominations for appointment to the National Orders The Committee will conduct its review over a period of…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is set to address the United Nations High-Level virtual event on Jobs and Social Protection for Poverty Eradication and a Sustainable Recovery, today, 28 September. The event will commence at 8:00 a.m. Jamaica time. As co-convener of the FfID, Prime Minister Holness will address several matters on Financing for Development in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond Initiative. The event will be chaired by Secretary-General of the United Nations, His Excellency António Guterres. Several heads of state and multi-world leading agency heads and stakeholders will take part in the high-level meeting. The event is in keeping with the UN sustainable development goal agenda; ensuring no one is left behind especially in light of the global Covid-19 pandemic. Members of the public can stream the event on http://webtv.un.org/ or on Facebook at AndrewHolnessJM.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says Jamaicans who wish to travel overseas after being vaccinated, can be confident that the country’s vaccination programme is of the highest standard. Speaking yesterday (September 23, 2021) during a tour of Vaccination Blitz sites across the parish of Trelawny, Prime Minister Holness explained that countries overseas can be certain about the vaccination process here in Jamaica. He noted that the Government is implementing mechanisms to ensure the Jamaican vaccination cards can be externally verified. The Prime Minister said, “We track everyone who has taken the vaccine, so, if you needed to travel, and you arrived in the foreign country and presented your card, there will be the appropriate systems to ensure that the country you have travelled to, can verify your card on the Jamaican database and be satisfied that your vaccination is legitimate.” Notably, developing systems of verification is part of the responsibilities of the National Covid-19 Vaccination Operationalization Task Force and was outlined in the TOR well in advance of current concerns. Furthermore, Prime Minister Holness stated that the Government acknowledges the impact the pandemic has had on all Jamaicans. He said the Government continues to effectively manage the protocols to balance lives and livelihoods.…

In recognition of the importance of allowing in-person and not only virtual worship, for both Adventists and Sunday worshippers, effective Saturday, September 25, 2021, the number of persons (including clergy and support personnel) who may be physically present at any time at a place of worship will be: no more than 20 persons; or where more than 20 persons can be accommodated at the place of worship while maintaining the physical distancing requirement of a minimum of 6 feet between persons, no more than 50 persons. It is important to note that Sundays remain no movement days,  however for the purposes of worship and within the limits outlined above, churchgoers are allowed to move between the hours of 7 am and 3 pm. The gazetted authorization form should be issued by the place of worship to permit up to 50 persons (including clergy and support personnel) to travel to and from places of worship and home between the hours of 7 am and 3 pm on Sundays. Authorized persons must have the form available for inspection by the security forces while travelling on Sundays. The limits on the number of persons physically present will also apply to marriage ceremonies. However,…

Minister Audley Shaw who currently has portfolio responsibility for Industry and Commerce, has been asked to assume the additional responsibility for Agriculture and Fisheries. This follows the resignation of Minister Floyd Green. The Government will ensure that all current programmes of work and policy direction are maintained to yield the maximum benefits to our farmers and our local agricultural sector.

The Government of Jamaica has extended for an additional two weeks, the current Covid-19 measures under the Disaster Risk Management Orders which include no-movement days. Speaking during a media conference yesterday [September 1, 2021], Prime Minister Andrew Holness said, while the Government sees some early signs of improvement, for example with a decline in the Ro number, the advice of the public health experts is that there needs to be on extension of the current restrictions for another two weeks. Therefore, the existing measures will continue. There will be an additional 6 no-movement days beginning this weekend: Sunday , September 5th Monday, September 6th Tuesday, September 7th Sunday, September 12th Monday, September 13th Tuesday, September 14th The curfew hours will remain at 7pm nightly until 5am the following morning on Wednesdays to Fridays and 6pm on Saturdays. Prime Minister Holness continues to encourage Jamaicans to get vaccinated. He noted that persons who wish to receive the vaccine will be allowed to do so during curfew hours as was done over the last two weeks. Prime Minister Holness said; “Despite the extended curfew hours, we want the vaccination programme to continue in full force. Certain vaccination sites will remain open during…