News from the OPM

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government’s primary focus continues to be that of developing the country, creating opportunities, and meeting the needs of every Jamaican. The Prime Minister was speaking today, (June 1, 2021) at the groundbreaking ceremony for “The Residences at Terra Nova” in Kingston. According to the Prime Minister, despite the expected criticisms, he has not lost sight of his duty and commitment to serve the people of Jamaica. While acknowledging that there are indeed challenges, the Prime Minister said we must not neglect the positives. He said, “Immediate issues are inflated and often conflated to create a negative narrative. However, there are also positives.” He continued, “I am doing something every week, whether breaking ground or opening a new space; those messages must override the negative talk perpetuated by those who seem to want to tear down rather than build.” The Prime Minister further stated; “The purpose of politics is to ensure that power is given to people who make things happen and not those who prevent things from happening. Every Jamaican must look at what is happening in front of them and ask themselves; ‘Who is making things happen in this country and who are…

The Government of Jamaica wishes to state that the protocol surrounding the holding of funeral services continues to be strictly enforced. The official memorial service for the life of the late Ambassador the Honourable Anthony Johnson, OJ, took place yesterday, Thursday, May 27, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at the St Augustine Chapel, Kingston College Chapel, North Street, Kingston. In accordance with the Disaster Risk Management Act, the ceremony held was not a funeral. Additionally, in keeping with the COVID-19 measures under the DRMA the service was restricted to 30 persons. Those who participated included public officials, Head of State, the Head of Government and the Leader of the Opposition in keeping with their ceremonial roles. Other public officials and some family members participated in the Service virtually. The mortal remains was also not present at the sanctuary. The burial will be restricted to 15 persons at a later date. The Government has in no way broken its own rules on the holding of funerals.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is calling for greater access to resources such as vaccines for the Caribbean and Africa particularly in light of the global pandemic COVID-19. Addressing Africa Day Webinar yesterday (Tuesday, May 25,2021), Prime Minister Holness said: “Africa cannot be denied opportunities, nor can the Caribbean, if we are to truly advance the ethos that ‘no one must be left behind.” The Prime Minister continued: "It cannot be morally justified that rich countries, many of whom gained their wealth and scientific advantage through the exploitation of Africa and its people, now use this wealth and scientific advantage to hoard and stockpile vaccines while the poor and historically exploited and deprived countries, wait in uncertainty to access equitable and consistent supplies, their populations at risk and their economies on pause. It would be the greatest setback for mankind, if inequitable vaccine access were to cause uneven recovery and a widening of the development gap between rich and poor globally.” In the meantime, the Prime Minster commended the Government of the Republic of South Africa and President Cyril Ramaphosa for his vision in establishing the African Union’s African Vaccine Acquisition Trust and the African Medical Supplies Platform.  He further expressed appreciation…

As Jamaica joins Africa in celebrating and recognizing Africa Day 2021, Prime Minister Andrew Holness says there are significant opportunities for lucrative trade, investment and tourism links between Africa and the Caribbean. The Prime Minister says connectivity is the greatest link between the region and Africa. In his remarks during the Africa Day webinar today (May 25, 2021), Prime Minister Holness highlighted major bi-lateral agreements signed between the Republic of South Africa and Jamaica. Agreements signed so far, include direct flights from Nigeria to Kingston; other flight arrangements are being pursued. It is envisioned that this will create “more powerful engagement, and exchange of a range of goods and services between the Continent and its Sixth Region.” Additionally, the Government of Jamaica recently appointed its first Ambassador/Special Envoy for Investment to Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa and Togo. Prime Minister Holness said the Government has been actively pursuing trade and investment routes that support our business opportunities. “We are preparing to unleash new strategies for travel, trade and investment, anchored in the will of our people to unite.  There is the need for Government policies and inter-governmental arrangements to facilitate contacts between our countries to foment even higher levels of trade…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is encouraging greater unification for reparations. Speaking this morning (May 25, 2021) at the Africa Day Webinar, the Prime Minister said, “Africans and people of African descent must work together to demand reparations from colonial powers for the damage caused to our people, who endured over four hundred years of enslavement with continuance in post-slavery governance and economic arrangements. Our engagement with not only countries, but institutions which benefitted from the brutal system of enslavement must also be to that end, and we will provide mechanisms for reparations to be made and paid”. In that regard, Prime Minister Holness acknowledged the collaborative work for reparation done by the National Council on Reparation in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and, the P.J Patterson Centre for Africa Caribbean Advocacy, the Institute for Global African Affairs in Johannesburg, and other institutions established by the University of the West Indies in Continental Africa. The Prime Minister also noted that while it is important to understand and repair the past, Africans, and people of African descent, in the quest for justice, should also focus on eradicating the inequities which have caused persistent poverty and disenfranchisement. “These inequities have been magnified…

The Government has approved the resumption of face-to-face classes for students at the primary and secondary level sitting exit examinations. Speaking in Parliament yesterday (May 4, 2021), Prime Minister Andrew Holness noted that due to the pandemic, a significant number of the current exam cohort would have lost approximately one year of in-person instruction and guidance. The Prime Minister noted that though the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Information has received an extension  for the submission of school based assessments, face-to-face engagement is needed to help students to adequately prepare for exams. The Prime Minister said, “The Cabinet has approved the resumption of face-to-face instruction as of Monday, May 10, 2021, for those students sitting the PEP 6 Ability Test, and those in Grades 11-13  sitting the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), City & Guilds and the National Vocational Qualification – Jamaica (NVQ-J).” According to Prime Minister Holness, a whole day/rotational approach commencing May 10, 2021, will be used to facilitate the inclusion of face-to-face engagement for students. He says the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Information will coordinate with parents and local transport providers to ensure the safe movement of students to and…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced minor changes to some measures, including the weekend curfew times, while extending the majority of the measures under the Disaster Risk Management Act. Speaking in Parliament today (May 4, 2021), the Prime Minister noted that the measures will be in place for the next four weeks to expire on June 2, 2021. He also explained the adjustments. Prime Minister Holness: “The data clearly shows that tighter measures implemented in the past weeks from February 2021 to now have been very successful in slowing the spread of the virus and while our hospitalizations are now below our capacity, we are not yet out of the danger zone. The Ministry of Health recommends that we maintain the measures for at least three incubation cycles, meaning for at least the next six weeks. So, I am asking the nation to bear with us for another six weeks.” The measures are as follows. Curfew Hours The curfew hours for weekdays, Monday to Friday, will remain at 8:00 pm to 5:00 am ending on June 3, 2021, at 5:00 am. The curfew hours for the weekend will be modified for the next four weekends. The curfew will now begin…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says an accessible and equitable climate finance mechanism is required for the world to build resilience in the fight against climate change. Speaking on Earth Day this morning (April 22, 2021), at the Leaders’ Summit on Climate Change, Prime Minister Holness acknowledged the commitment of world leaders to 100 billion dollars per year to support climate action in developing countries. However, he says, it is critical that this commitment is not only honoured, but that the ambition is increased, and major emitters contribute more to its financing. At the same time, Prime Minister Holness said: “While increasing the quantum of financing is necessary, it will not be sufficient to address the needs of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) unless it is accessible and flexible enough to target support for our vulnerabilities. While some progress has been made, significant hurdles remain in accessing climate finance; and the pace of implementation does not reflect the urgency of the climate crisis”. In that regard, the Prime Minister outlined specific actions that need to be taken: 1) The establishment of a global disaster fund to help SIDS recover and manage disaster risk. 2) The development of innovative risk-informed financing for…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced a three-week extension to the measures under the Disaster Risk Management Act. The orders will now expire on May 4, 2021. Speaking on Tuesday (April 13) in Parliament, Prime Minister Holness noted that the infection prevention and control measures that the Government has implemented have significantly contributed to a decline in the estimated reproductive rate in the spread of COVID-19. In that regard, the Prime Minister added, “The data clearly shows that the tighter measures implemented three weeks ago, have been successful in slowing down the spread of the virus. However, our test positivity rate and hospitalizations remain too high. As a result, the measures implemented three weeks ago will be extended.” The measures under the Disaster Risk Management Act are as follows. Curfew · The weekend curfew is modified to begin on Saturday at 4:00 pm and Sunday at 2:00 pm ending at 5:00 am the next day. · The nightly curfew from Monday to Friday of 8:00 pm to 5:00 am the next day has been extended until 5:00 am May 5, 2021. · Business places will no longer close at noon on a Friday. Worship Services The maximum number of persons who may be physically…