New COVID-19 Restrictions For Jamaica
Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced new COVID-19 restricts beginning March 23rd to April 13, 2021.
There will be a three weekend lockdown beginning on Fridays and ending on a Sundays. The NO MOVEMENT weekend lockdowns will beginning Friday March 26 and ending Mon April 13 at 5 am.
The normal 8 pm to 5 am curfew will continue during the week.
See full COVID-19 Digital Press Conference.
The ban on events such as concerts, parties, tailgate parties, round robins continue until April 13, 2021.
Funeral services will still not be allowed during the period ending April 13, 2021.The existing restrictions on funerals and burials will continue until Tuesday, March 23, 2021. As of Wednesday, March 24, 2021 until April 13, 2021, burials will be allowed Mondays to Fridays only during the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Only 10 mourners will be allowed and an additional 5 persons can be present who comprise officiating clergy, grave diggers and undertakers. The time for conducting the burial is not to be longer than 30 minutes. Note that no burials will be allowed on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
The public gathering limit will remain at 10 persons until April 13, 2021. Public sector entities are reminded that social events, handing-overs, launches, ground-breakings, opening ceremonies or any other similar events are prohibited until April 13, 2021.
For markets and vending in public arcades and public transportation centres, operating hours will be one hour after the end of curfew to one hour before the start of curfew. Therefore, when the curfew ends at 5 a.m., markets will open at 6 a.m., When the curfew starts at 8 p.m., markets must close at 7 p.m. On Saturdays when the curfew starts at 12 noon, markets close at 11 a.m. Markets remain closed on Sundays and public holidays including Good Friday and Easter Monday until April 13, 2021.
The operation of public transportation will continue and drivers / conductors are allowed to be on the road one hour before and one hour after curfew but be reminded that no passengers are to be in the vehicles during those periods. All persons in PPVs are reminded to wear masks at all times and sanitize before entry and as you exit the vehicles. The PPVs which are motor cars are to ensure the windows remain open and the AC is off during each trip. Also motor cars that provide public transportation are to have one less passenger than is allowed by the licence.
There should be no face-to-face instruction in all primary and secondary schools (public and independent) until April 13, 2021. Students are to be instructed using other modalities. and for clarity note that this includes students who are to sit exit examinations.