Despite warnings of a zero-tolerance approach to those who continue to flout health and safety guidelines under the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA), illegal rafters in Lethe, Hanover remain brazenly unperturbed.

So much so that local law enforcement officials, woefully short on resources, have been hard-pressed to do anything meaningful about the situation and have been, without much success, calling on the political directorate for assistance.

The rafting operation is being carried out on sections of the Great River, without any license or any form of registration, no supervision and nothing that resembles masks or any form of social distancing. There are reportedly no sanitary convenience, no hand sanitisation and nothing by way of health and safety guidelines outlined by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo).

A visit to the Lethe community, particularly on any weekend, will see raftsmen and their guests revelling on the makeshift bamboo vessels in the beautiful river, drinking and having fun on the riverbanks and with little if any regard for curfew hours.

“I have brought the matter to the attention of East Hanover Member of Parliament Dave Brown,” explained a seemingly frustrated Gladstone Sealy, Tourism Liaison Officer for the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for the parish of St James.

Sealy was however quick to point out that the matter was one that also falls under the jurisdiction of the Hanover police, adding “I only got involved because of the tourism aspect to it. It doesn’t fall under the jurisdiction of the St James police.”

He also noted that the matter will have to be dealt with expeditiously, noting that the Disaster Risk Management Act goes for all entities across the island, without exception and without favour.

Meanwhile, Michael Baugh, a board director at TPDCo, said he finds the situation most disturbing, especially from the standpoint that the rafters are illegally carrying tourists, during a pandemic, and without a license.

He said that, without a doubt, the matter is a serious one that cannot be allowed to continue, unabated and with such reckless abandon. “We will have to do something as if anything should go wrong it will affect the country’s image and also tourism on a whole. We have made too many sacrifices as a country…as a people…and have come too far to turn back now.”

When contacted, Member of Parliament for Eastern Hanover Dave Brown admitted to being aware of the situation, promising to engage the community in dialogue so as to provide an amicable solution to the problem.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has repeatedly point to the fact that some Jamaicans were ignoring the appeals to observe the COVID-19 protocols and declared that the Government would move to tougher measures, including prosecution for the breaches.

“I think we are at the limit in moral suasion. We will now have to move into another phase of managing the pandemic. We have sought to address it by appealing to the good conscience and reasonableness of our citizens, [but] we have some weak fences — some people who it would appear they would do everything possible not to observe the recommendations of authorised sources,” stated Holness.

Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie has also warned that non-compliant beach and river operators, as well as patrons, could face possible prosecution under the Disaster Risk Management Act.

Under the act, persons in violation of the safety protocols can be fined up to $1 million or spend 12 months in prison.

“The onus will be on the beach and river operators to satisfy the authorities that they have put in place all the protocols before they are allowed to reopen,” the minister warned.

In ramping up enforcement measures, which will involve the police, McKenzie noted that all beaches and rivers will now be strictly monitored by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the Social Development Commission (SDC), which will be surveying these establishments to ensure that the protocols are being observed.

“The SDC’s capacity will be bolstered by the employment of some 250 temporary workers across the island. In addition to ensuring compliance, this team will be sensitising the operators about the importance of enforcing the protocols,” he further informed.

He added that the decision to shut down beaches and rivers in violation of safety protocols has been taken in response to the high rate of non-compliance that has been observed at these facilities.