Jamaican Twitter users are mixed in their reactions to a hint at new testing and vaccination requirements for Government workers, as announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

In the House of Representatives, Holness sparked conversation on Tuesday (January 11) when he suggested new measures are coming to address the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on Government processes.

“The Government of Jamaica will be taking steps to ensure that we can secure and guarantee the continued operation and provision of Government services. We have indicated long ago that we will put in place measures for testing and for requiring vaccination for public sector workers,” Holness explained.

“The country must move on; we must move on with our lives. We must get our economy back on track. We cannot allow ourselves to be defeated by the pandemic. We cannot afford another lockdown. We cannot afford tighter curfew hours. We must learn to live with this virus,” he added.

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It was not immediately clear from his statement whether the measures would constitute what many Jamaicans know as a ‘vaccine mandate’ or department-specific rules which some agencies—such as the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF)—have already instituted.

Holness, however, reiterated an appeal for Jamaicans to “do the responsible thing” and get vaccinated, that citizens follow and encourage sanitisation and social distancing protocols; again insisting that ‘living with COVID-19’ ensures the country’s continued survival.

The latest comments, though intentionally vague, according to the timeline, offer hope that new measures are coming soon and with them, possibly a mandate to boost lagging vaccination efforts.

A few Jamaicans contended that the announcement was conveniently timed with the most recent travel advisory from the US State Department, which warned Americans against going to Jamaica at this time amid a rise in crime and coronavirus cases.

• READ: US citizens warned against travel to Jamaica amid COVID-19 fourth wave

Others in the Twitterati were concerned that a Government-sanctioned vaccine mandate would trigger a wave of mass resignations among those hesitant or outright adamant against taking the jab.

Some expressed confidence that there were more than enough younger Jamaicans to fill those vacant positions should the need arise.

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Holness’ promise of new rules for Government workers could also coincide with Jamaica’s record-high COVID caseload, which saw the country confirm 1,714 new cases in a single day and a positivity rate of 60.3 per cent.

The announcement, however, comes in contradiction to the prime minister’s “argument done” rhetoric on Sunday, where he declared no new containment measures were being considered and chided the country for “not listening”.

“And I’ve said what the strategy is: It is now in your hands, go and take the vaccine. That is the strategy. We can’t hold you down and put the needle in your hand. If you get sick, you take that responsibility. There is an option; we have vaccines all over the place. We have [vaccination] sites all over the place—I don’t hear one person complain that they can’t get the vaccine anywhere. Go and get vaccinated! Argument done!” Holness exclaimed.

• RELATED: ARGUMENT DONE! Amid record spike in COVID cases, Holness says Jamaicans ‘aren’t listening’; should get vaxxed