Starting tomorrow night (November 18), Jamaicans will have an extra hour before having to get behind closed doors as the start of the daily curfew has been extended from 8:00 pm to 9: pm. The curfew will continue to end at each morning at 5:00 am.

Making the announcement in the House of Representatives on Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the new curfew hours would remain in effect for a three-week period ending December 9.

During his statement to Parliament, Holness also indicated that the limit on the number of persons in attendance at a place of worship will be increased from 50 to 100 persons, providing that the social distance requirement is met.

“The ceiling is 100 regardless of how large your enterprise is… if your church can only hold 40 people properly distanced, that is what your church can hold. Obviously, no crusades, no conferences, or conventions at this time,” the prime minister said.

“The number of persons permitted to physically attend a wedding will be increased similarly, and, of course, if the space in which you are can’t take 100 persons, you are subject to the social-distancing rules, but if the venue is large, maximum of 100 persons.”

The limit on persons physically attending annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings will also be increased from 50 to 100.

Physical attendance at events hosted by public entities will continue to be limited to a maximum of 50 persons.

“These are controlled functions by invitation only and persons attending are required to be fully vaccinated; just to be clear, that is for public entities,” Holness said.

Funerals are permitted with a maximum of 20 persons physically present, including mourners, clergy and support personnel. Burials are permitted Mondays to Fridays between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm with a maximum of 20 persons present.

GATHERING LIMIT REMAINS AT 10

The Prime Minister also informed that the gathering limit remains at 10.

Regarding the controlled entry protocols, the requirement for all travellers to present a negative COVID-19 test conducted within three days of travel remains in place, as does the requirement to self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival for persons who are not fully vaccinated.

However, fully vaccinated persons who obtain a PCR test as their pre-test prior to travel, will not be required to conduct another PCR test after arrival in order to be released from quarantine.

“I know this will be very useful to the non-all-inclusive tourism sector, for business travellers and so forth. We are cautiously trying to take down the shield and the barriers that have kept us safe, but at the same time, have been very restrictive to people’s livelihoods,” Holness said.

“Let me emphasise that antigen tests are still acceptable for travel to Jamaica. However, if fully vaccinated travellers do an antigen test prior to arrival, they would still be required to either quarantine for eight days or do a PCR test in Jamaica to be released from quarantine,” he added.

In relation to infirmaries, Holness said Cabinet would consider potential changes to the protocols to be announced within the next set of revisions in early December.