KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Government on Sunday made an adjustment to the new COVID-19 protocols to enable places of worship to accommodate 20 people for services .
Dr Shanice Mullings swabs the nostrils of Kinolin Rose, a resident of Central Village, on January 13. The St Catherine Health Department was conducting free COVID-19 testing for residents. (Stabroek News)According to a government statement, places of worship will be able to stream live, their worship services and accommodate up to 20 people in the sanctuary including clergy, worshippers, musicians and technical people.
Those who will attend services will be required to travel with a valid national ID and a signed form by their pastor.
Last week, Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced that the country would be shut down for seven days spread over three weekends to contain an upsurge in cases of COVID-19.
The island has been battling a third wave of infections, with the presence of the highly contagious Delta variant confirmed on the island.
“Our case numbers are unacceptably high and rising, and the rate of hospitalization is beyond – and I want to stress this – beyond the capacity of our health system, to cope,” Holness said on Thursday during a virtual news conference.
Currently, more than 550 people are hospitalized with COVID-19, nearly 60,000 people have been infected and more than 1,300 people have died.
The restrictions on movement started Sunday, with the first lockdown lasting three days.
There will be an identical three-day ban on movement the following weekend, and a one-day lockdown on Sunday, September 5.
Based on the three day ban on movement, Jamaicans will be required to remain at home unless they are essential workers, although there will be some flexibility for citizens who have international travel plans, or appointments for a vaccination.
