Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness has warned that he is prepared to re-impose tough measures to contain COVID-19 if the country's numbers begin to rise. Jamaica had 564 confirmed cases on Tuesday which included eight new cases.
The number of recoveries stands at 238, which includes more than 100 in the last week. There are currently 309 active cases.
"If our numbers change, for any reason - people stop observing the curfew measures, for example, people start to gather in groups of 10, people who are ill deciding that they are not staying at home - all these behaviours could contribute to an increase in our numbers," Holness said.
But even as he spoke about observing the various disease prevention protocols, he conceded that full-compliance and a zero-tolerance approach to enforcement is impractical.
"We are not going to be always successful and overly strict in what we are doing," Holness said in response to a question from a journalist about the lack of social distancing that was observed during the Verzuz Battle between dancehall artists Bounty Killer and Beenie Man last Saturday.
"If we were to be brutally honest, certainly not at all times social distanced was observed during the performances but from my recollection, the gathering orders were observed," Holness said about the entertainment event that attracted some 500,000 views on Instagram.
Holness said that Jamaica is doing well in managing the epidemic. He said that it is important that attention be paid on ensuring Jamaica minimises the effect of the recession.
"Yes, we are doing well but don't let our success become our enemy. Continue to faithfully follow the measures until we can declare this pandemic as being over," he said.
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