COVID-19 measures tightened

Jamaicans have been placed on notice to expect tighter restrictions next month as the Government moves to stave off a possible third wave of COVD-19 infection on the island.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness, in a media briefing yesterday, said the country has been experiencing a worrying rise in the rate of infection and that strong measures were necessary to reverse the trend.

According to the prime minister, the number of new COVID-19 cases were on the decline since March, when the country experienced a challenging second wave of the virus. However, since July 14, the average number of new cases has been 103 new cases per day. Comparatively, an average of 52 cases were recorded in the month of June.

"Based on the rapid increase that we are seeing in all our key indicators, it is clear that we need to act now," Holness said.

The containment measures that were in effect since July 1, were slated to end on August 10. However, in the wake of the increased positive cases, the measures had to be adjusted. The nightly curfews will start three hours earlier - 8 p.m., down from 11 p.m. - that was previously in effect. Additionally, places of worship, gyms and dining establishments and small events can have no more than 50 per cent of their capacity.

Early warning

"We have seen from other countries and our own experiences how insidious this virus is and how quickly spikes can occur. Significant increase in all our early warning indicators suggest that we are in the early stages of our third wave. A third wave, I wouldn't say we predict, but (one) that we always knew we would have, " Holness stressed.

"Over the course of the next two weeks, we will continue to monitor the situation and the measures that will apply effective August 11. Our focus in crafting those measures will be on trying to control spreads sufficiently to allow us to reopen schools to facilitate structured face-to-face learning in September. That is an imperative for the Government and indeed for all the parents and children who have had really a difficult time during this pandemic," the prime minister said.

The tightening of the restrictions come nearly a month after the entertainment sector was reopened. While Holness did not announce a shutdown once more, he did say that the early curfew could have an impact on the sector.

"Some event hosts would very well have to make decisions about whether or not they will hold those events," Holness said.

"What we have done is to bring forward some of the measures that we had planned to put in right after the Independence period because of how fast the upturn in numbers was taking place. These are preliminary measures. Come the 11th, we will take even tighter measures to ensure that we do not see a massive spike," the prime minister said.

Effective today, the curfew hours have been adjusted as follows:

Mondays to Saturdays -- 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following morning;

Sundays and public holidays, -- 3 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following morning.

Beaches and Rivers will be opened

Monday - Saturday: 6 am to 4 p.m

Sundays: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m