News from the OPM

The Government has made an adjustment to enable places of worship to accommodate 20 persons for services on August 22. Places of worship will be able to stream live, their worship services and accommodate up to 20 persons in the sanctuary including clergy, worshippers, musicians and technical people. Those who will attend services will be required to travel with a valid national ID and a signed form by their pastor. The form is available in the latest Disaster Risk Management Order online and on opm.gov.jm. In the meantime, the current Order has listed limited opening hours for some special services. Money transfer and remittance services, and farm stores, may operate only between the hours of 9:00 am and 3:00 pm on the following days - (a) Monday, August, 23, 2021; (b) Tuesday, August 24, 2021; (c) Monday, August 30, 2021; and (d) Tuesday, August 31, 2021. During the curfew periods persons in the following categories: traveling between work and home ONLY will be exempt. Persons in the medical profession working at hospitals or attending to the sick Emergency vehicle operators Pharmacies Media Construction workers Manufacturing workers Immigration Port workers Parents and children traveling to vaccination blitz sites will be allowed passage.…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness, having verified with each member of the council of Ministers, and with their permission to publicly do so, is confirming that all Ministers, including Cabinet Ministers, the Attorney General and Ministers of State, are fully vaccinated. The list of Ministers are : The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP The Honourable Dr. Horace Chang, CD, MP The Honourable Edmund Bartlett, CD, MP Dr. the Honourable Nigel Clarke, Phil, MP The Honourable Robert Montague, MP Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson-Smith Dr. the Honourable Christopher Tufton, MP The Honourable Audley Shaw, CD, MP The Honourable Desmond McKenzie, CD, MP The Honourable Olivia Grange, CD, MP The Honourable Karl Samuda, CD, MP The Honourable Fayval Williams, MP The Honourable Daryl Vaz, MP The Honourable Delroy Chuck, QC, MP The Honourable Floyd Green, MP The Honourable Everald Warmington, MP The Honourable Pearnel Charles Jr., MP Senator the Honourable Aubyn Hill Senator the Honourable Matthew Samuda Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte, QC, MP, JP Ministers of State The Honourable Robert Morgan, JP, MP The Honourable Dr. Norman Dunn, MP The Honourable Marsha Smith, MP The Honourable Juliet Cuthbert Flynn, MP The Honourable Zavia Mayne, MP The Honourable J.C Hutchinson, MP The Honourable…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has extended heartfelt condolences to the family of former Member of Parliament for South West St. Ann, Ernest Smith. Mr. Smith, who was also an attorney at law, died last night at about 9:00 p.m. (August 18) at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI). He was 70 years old. Mr. Smith was a two-term MP who served from 1997 to 2002. In reflecting on his life, Prime Minister Holness said, ‘Ernie had a larger-than-life personality. As a Member of Parliament, Ernest was devoted to his constituents and sought to ensure they had in him, effective representation. He brought this same energy to the practice of Law and carved out a name for himself in the profession.’ The Prime Minister continued, ‘His humour and wit were as classic as his common touch and I am deeply saddened at his passing. Jamaica has lost a true man of the people.’ The Prime Minister says his heart goes out to Ernest’s family;  his wife, Lynette Royes-Smith, son Ernest Jr, and four daughters, Nesta Claire, Celia, Michelle, and Marsha. His Daughter Marsha Smith,  is now State Minister in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Member of…

It was with sadness that I learnt of the the passing of the former Prime Minister of our sister island, Antigua and Barbuda, Sir Lester Bird. Sir Lester served the people of Antigua and Barbuda as its second Prime Minister for 10 years. He however served his country as Minister of different portfolios before serving as Prime Minister. Among his notable achievements was his work to develop the island state which became known for its tourism product. Sir Lester was well loved by the people of his country. In CARICOM, during the period 1994-2004,  Sir Lester was a resonating voice on regional matters as he advocated for the recognition of small island states. Jamaica pays tribute to Sir Lester and his enduring work in Antigua and indeed within the regional movement. The Government and people of Jamaica extend sincere condolences to the Bird family as well as the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda.

Our Jamaican athletes have once again shown the world that we are a global superpower in athletics. This morning, all of Jamaica, Jamaicans across the globe and indeed the world  witnessed history as our ladies delivered in magnificent style, a clean sweep in the 100M sprint at the Tokoyo Olympics. It is with tremendous pride that I pay tribute to and salute our Jamaican athletes; Elaine Thompson Herah who won the gold medal erasing the 33 year old Olympic record; Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce who copped the silver and Shericka Jackson who finished strong to take the bronze medal. Elaine, Shelly and Shericka have etched their names and legacy among the greats in global sports. They carried the hopes of an entire nation with them as they delivered with scintillating and unforgettable performances, cementing in the consciousness of the world, the greatness, resilience and winning spirit of Jamaica, land we love. This victory today would have added to Jamaica's historic legacy in the women's sprints with memories of the 2008 1, 2, 2 sizzling run by our women in Beijing. Our athletes continue to represent our great nation with the highest  distinction  on the greatest stage in athletics. On behalf of the Government…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced revised Covid-19 protocols under the Disaster Risk Management Act. The recrafted measures will expire in two weeks. The tightened measures begin today, July 27, 2021, and end August 10, 2021; this as the country faces what the Prime Minister has described as potentially the early stages of the third wave of Covid-19. Speaking at a press conference last evening (July 26, 2021) to update the nation, the Prime Minister said, “Our focus in crafting these measures will be on trying to control the spread sufficiently to allow us to reopen schools, to facilitate structured face-to-face learning in September. This is imperative for the government and indeed for all the parents and children who have had a very difficult time during this pandemic.” The adjusted measures are as follows. Curfew Hours From Monday to Saturday, the curfew hours will be from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. the following morning. On Sundays and Public Holidays, the curfew hours will be from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. the following morning. Therefore, the curfew will commence at 3 p.m. on; Emancipation Day, Sunday, August 1, Monday, August 2 (observed holiday), Friday, August 6, and Sunday, August 8. Closing…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the National Partnership Council has operated seamlessly across successive administrations and has proved invaluable to nation building. He was speaking as Chairman at a meeting of the Council, which comprises leaders from the Government, parliamentary opposition, private sector, civil society, church, academia, trade unions and youth advocates, on July 15, 2021. The meeting explored the role of social partnership in Jamaica, in the context of the preparation of a new agreement to govern the Council's activities over the next four years. The Prime Minister outlined some of the areas of focus the Government was considering for the new agreement. He noted, however, that input from the other partners was vital and asked that based on the areas of focus, feedback be submitted within 30 days. Discussions also focused on the management of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Holness explained the difficult and delicate balance required to preserve lives and livelihoods and the considerations around the Government’s recent recrafting of the measures to facilitate controlled re-opening of the entertainment sector. There was consensus on the need to maintain a high degree of caution and vigilance, particularly in the context of the emergence of more transmissible variants and our relatively low rate of vaccinations. The Partnership Council expressed support for the Government’s call for all Jamaicans to be proactive and take personal responsibility by adhering to the protocols established under the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA), that have been proven to be effective in controlling the spread of the virus. Meanwhile, there was a frank and open discussion on the strengths and weaknesses of the Council's contribution over the life of the last agreement with suggestions being put forward for its improvement. There was consensus on the partnership process serving Jamaica well, particularly by fostering dialogue, cooperation, and collaboration…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the purpose of the social housing programme is to transform lives across Jamaica. In that regard, the Prime Minister said, “It is the goal of this Government, to give every single Jamaican the opportunity to experience the feeling of satisfaction, safety and security that comes with owning their own home and being able to pass it on to their children.” He underscored that the programme should be viewed as “transformational housing”, as the Government continues to enable more Jamaicans to own their own homes and to live in dignity. 380 housing units are expected to be completed this year which could see some 700 Jamaicans being positively impacted through the social housing programme. In the meantime, the Prime Minister noted that there are thousands of Jamaicans living in sub-standard conditions. He says the Government will continue to provide more housing solutions for those persons. “The Government is aware of your circumstance; we know the situation and we are doing our best to get to you, and to assist,” said Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister was speaking recently at the handing over ceremony of a social housing project in Quarry, Salt Spring in St. James, where he noted that the provision of social housing is a positive thrust by the Government that should bring about a spirit of hope among citizens and dramatically improve the lives of recipients.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government has placed greater focus on rural communities. Speaking on Friday (July 16, 2021) at the opening of the rehabilitated Gaul Road in St. Mary, the Prime Minister said the Government has a rural development strategy that is integral to the development of the economy. He noted that a great part of the strategy, is road improvement. The Prime Minister pointed out that there are many roads in rural Jamaica that are being studied and rehabilitation works are being scheduled. Prime Minister Holness says the Government is sensitive to the issues that citizens, especially rural citizens, are faced with. In this regard, he says the  upgrade of critical infrastructure in rural communities across the island is being effected swiftly and efficiently. “We should not ignore the fact that things are happening and the Government is allocating the necessary funds and is making that effort, with all the things that we have to do to improve the lives of all the citizens who live in rural communities,” said Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister says the programme will continue as the Government maintains the delicate and important balance of lives and livelihood. Noting that hurricane and overall climate resilience are critical elements in Jamaica’s development plan, Prime Minister Holness says resources have also been allocated into maintaining gullies and other such infrastructure.