In response to rising rates of COVID-19 infections in Jamaica, the government has imposed stronger restrictions to combat what it views as a third wave of cases. Approximately 1,318 new cases were reported for the month of July, with an average of 135 new cases per day in the past week. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness therefore plans to implement new COVID-19 measures immediately after the Independence period. The new measures would remain in place for two weeks from July 27 to August 10, 2021. If there is no improvement in COVID-19 numbers on August 11, additional measures would be imposed. Currently, the coming restrictions include night curfews for 8 pm to 5 am from Monday through Saturdays and 3 pm to 5 am on Sundays and public holidays, including Independence Day. Capacity for events will be reduced from 70 percent to 50 percent, and beaches and rivers will be operation from 6 am to 4 pm Monday-Saturday and 6 1m to 2 pm on Sundays and public holidays. Holness said that the government is taking action now given the nation’s plans to reopen schools for in-person instruction in September 2021.
