Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced an extension of the quarantine measures imposed on several St Thomas and Clarendon communities due to COVID-19 concerns.
He made the announcement at an emergency media briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister this afternoon.
The authorities are also extending the curfew hours for residents of the communities under quarantine.
Prime Minister Holness says the decision to extend the public health measures in the two parishes followed a Cabinet meeting with the health authorities today.
The Prime Minister says there’s still a sense that some citizens are not taking the pandemic seriously.
He notes that the areas under quarantine may be extended, if the number of COVID-19 cases outside the quarantine zones continue to climb.
In the meantime, effective tomorrow, Mr Holness says the authorities will be increasing the curfew hours in St Thomas.
The nationwide curfew of 11pm to 5am each day remains in effect.
The Prime Minister says measures will also been implemented to restrict movement in the parish.
The measures are expected to impact funerals, weddings, and other gatherings in the eastern parish.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has listed several communities in St Andrew as areas of public health concern due to COVID 19 trends.
While the authorities insist there’s been no spike in cases in these communities the Prime Minister says they must be monitored.
He’s encouraging residents in these communities to take the necessary precautionary measures.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness.
He was addressing an emergency media briefing on COVID 19 at the OPM this afternoon.
