The process of having a second batch of Jamaicans re-enter the island got underway this morning with the arrival of 94 people from Fort Lauderdale.

The 94 Jamaicans were aboard a commercial Jetblue flight which arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston at just after 10:00 this morning.

The 94-Jamaicans are to be placed in quarantine for two weeks.

They were welcomed at the airport this morning by a Government delegation which included Foreign Affairs Minister, Kamina Johnson Smith and Minister without portfolio in the National Security Ministry, Senator Matthew Samuda

Approximately 1-hundred more Jamaicans are expected to arrive any moment now from New York City as the Government intensifies its controlled re-entry initiative.

Minister Samuda spoke on Nationwide radio earlier today about the arrival of the second batch of Jamaicans.

Minister Samuda is part of an ad hoc working group assigned by the Prime Minister to assist with the re-entry of Jamaicans overseas along with other connected issues.

He says today will be a relatively busy day.

Matthew Samuda, Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of National Security speaking this morning with Abka Fitz-Henley and Danielle Archer on Nationwide: This Morning.

The first batch of Jamaicans who was overseas due to the closure of the island’s borders returned last week. The borders were closed as part of efforts to limit the spread of the Coronavirus.

Minister Samuda says the Government has taken several steps to make the re-entry of the second batch of Jamaicans smoother.

Minister Samuda says measures have been put in place to digitize the re-entry process.

Last week, at least 1 Jamaican who was among the first batch who re-entered the island complained that only sandwiches were made available.

Minister Samuda says steps have been taken to address that issue.

He also commented on concerns voiced by a member of the first batch of Jamaicans that they were closely supervised by security and health officials.

Matthew Samuda, Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of National Security.