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Jamaican Front-Line Workers hailed

Jamaica Information Service – Jamaican front-line workers are hailed for the critical role they play in the country’s fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Speaking at a thanksgiving service last Sunday, Prime Minister Andrew Holness expressed gratitude to members of the medical profession, police force and fire brigade; sanitation workers; public health teams and every one playing a role in the management of the pandemic.

“The pandemic is still raging right across the world. We have, so far, been spared the worst. It is not only because the Government has done a fairly good job, some would say an excellent job, in managing the pandemic but more so it is because the workers have put out all their efforts, and I today, personally, on behalf of a grateful nation, say thank you.”

The Prime Minister cited, for example, the contact-tracing activities carried out by members of the public health teams and their attention to detail in ensuring that all contacts are accounted for.

“To do this very tedious and meticulous work to go and track down all the persons who may have been exposed – and when they explain to me the minute details to ensure that they don’t miss anyone – this is to be applauded. I want to specially thank the public health workers because in other countries this level of robustness is not exhibited,” Mr. Holness said.

  • Holness
  • Holness
  • Holness

PM Holness to Jamaicans : “Continue to comply with rules”

The Prime Minister, in the meantime, encouraged Jamaicans to continue to comply with the safeguards implemented to protect themselves and others from the disease.

He said that in the initial phases, some persons had a difficulty adhering to the physical-distance requirement, but noted that there has since been greater acceptance of the measure.

In addition, he said that the stay-at-home order for persons 65 years and older has been “faithfully observed” and has contributed significantly to protecting the elderly population, who are most vulnerable to the disease. The stay-at home order remains in place for Jamaicans 75 years and older.

“Even though we have raised it, still wear your masks and maintain your social distance. If you don’t have to go out, don’t go out; this too shall pass. But let us continue to be vigilant, let us continue to take precautions,” he urged.

Also in attendance at the church service was Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie; Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Hon. Faysal Williams; Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith; Leader of the Opposition, Dr Peter Phillips; heads of agencies; permanent secretaries; and front-line workers.

In other news:

The Bahamas closes borders to tourists from the United States

The post Jamaican Front-Line Workers hailed appeared first on Caribbean News Now!.

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Caribbean Airlines Expands in the Eastern Caribbean

 

Caribbean Airlines has expanded its network in the Eastern Caribbean.

The Port-of-Spain-based airline has launched new flights from Barbados to both St Vincent and Grenada. 

It’s part of what the company is calling its “strategic plan,” following its acquisition of additional aircraft and additional pilots and cabin crew earlier this year. 

“Transport is a main pillar of Caribbean states, where it provides a space for the facilitation of trade,

investment, and the movement of people,” said Caribbean Airlines CEO Garvin Medera. “Regionally and internationally, there is a lot to restart, and subject to regulatory approvals Caribbean Airlines is resuming our 2020 plans to expand routes in the Eastern Caribbean.”

The new flights are operating six days per week. 

— CJ

The post Caribbean Airlines Expands in the Eastern Caribbean appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Sandals Is Opening a Beaches Resort in St Vincent

 

Sandals Resorts International is opening its first-ever resort in St Vincent and the Grenadines. 

The company is opening a new Beaches resort, the first in the Eastern Caribbean, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The property will be a transformation of the former Buccament Bay Resort and Spa, which had been shuttered since 2016. 

It will be “completely transformed” to become the fourth Beaches-branded resort in the wider Caribbean, joining properties in Jamaica and Turks and Caicos. 

“Investing in St Vincent and its captivating people was not only compelling, but a natural next step for continued expansion within the Eastern Caribbean. Beginning with our first entry in Saint Lucia many years ago and more recently Grenada and Barbados, we are champions of growth for the Eastern Caribbean, and it has remained at the forefront of our expansion strategy,” said Gordon “Butch” Stewart, founder and chairman of Sandals Resorts International. “Expanding into a brand-new destination ushers in the tremendous opportunity for new and existing team members to experience a whole new way of life and professional growth path. The minute our customers land in St. Vincent, they will be enchanted with its magnificence. The resort hugs the Caribbean Sea and is nestled within a lush mountain range and neighboring rainforest. Best of all, it’s only a short drive from the newly constructed Argyle International Airport.”

The agreement had been in the works for nearly a year, according to the company.

“The resort will undergo extensive reimagination and renovations,” said Adam Stewart, Deputy Chairman of Sandals Resorts International. “Each time we expand, we bring with us the full potential of our 40 years in hospitality with the creation of new jobs and skillsets through our Corporate University, the on-the-ground work of our Sandals Foundation, the dedicated airlift and comprehensive global marketing campaigns that always follow. As we look to the future, this growth stands for tremendous possibility.”

The entry of Sandals to the market represents in many ways a validation of St Vincent and the Grenadines’ airport strategy. 

St Vincent and the Grenadines opened its first-ever international airport in 2017, hoping to attract full-fledged tourism development — and now the country finally has its first major-flag resort property. 

And the entry of Sandals will likely spur far more airlift development, given recent history. 

When Sandals entered Grenada in 2014, for example, it helped spur a dramatic increase in the island’s airlift — with a large, major-branded resort giving confidence to carriers that they could fill the seats on their planes. 

That, in turn, could be a boon for broader tourism development in St Vincent. 

— CJ

The post Sandals Is Opening a Beaches Resort in St Vincent appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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No se celebrará Miss Universe Puerto Rico este año debido al coronavirus

… franquicia de belleza en Puerto Rico, Denise Quiñones, anunció … canal de televisión de Puerto Rico que transmitiría la competencia. … realizar el concurso de Miss Puerto Rico”, sostuvo.
Ante ello, … finalista de Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2019, Estefanía Soto, …

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The Dominican Republic on lockdown for 45 days

The Dominican Republic has declared a state of emergency in the national territory for 45 days from today Monday, July 20, date of Executive order 265-20.

President Danilo Medina made the announcement, citing that the lockdown is necessary due to the continuous increase of COVID-19 cases in the country.

Dominican Republic reported a total of 53,956 COVID-19 cases on Sunday, with 1,101 new cases in the last 24 hours. The country’s death toll has now reached 993. 

Curfew Hours in Dominican Republic

The presidential provision indicates two types of curfew enforcement hours in the country.

Curfew will be imposed from Monday to Friday from 7:00 pm to 5:00 am and on Saturdays and Sundays from 5:00 pm to 5:00 am in the following areas:

  • Santo Domingo
  • National District
  • Santiago
  • San Cristóbal
  • La Vega
  • Puerto Plata
  • Duarte
  • San Pedro de Macorís
  • La Romana
  • San Juan de la Maguana
  • La Altagracia
  • Azua
  • Monsignor Nouel
  • Sánchez Ramírez
  • María Trinidad Sánchez.

On the other hand, curfew will begin every day of the week from 8:00 at night until 5:00 in the morning in the provinces where the virus does not have a high incidence namely:

  • Espaillat
  • Peravia
  • Barahona
  • Monte Plata
  • Valverde
  • Hermanas Mirabal
  • Monte Cristi
  • Samaná
  • Bahoruco
  • Hato Mayor
  • El Seibo
  • Dajabón
  • Santiago Rodríguez
  • San José de Ocoa
  • Elías Piña
  • Independence
  • Pedernales

“The curfew will take effect from this Tuesday, July 21 of the current year for a period of twenty (20) days, at the end of which the measure will be reviewed based on the epidemiological evolution of COVID-19 in the country “

The presidential provision ratifies the mandatory use of a mask in public places and in private places for public use as an essential measure to control the spread of COVID-19, whose non-compliance will be sanctioned with the provisions established by the General Health Law no. 42-01.

DR hotel zone beaches to remain open

On Sunday, the country’s civil defense announced the closure of beaches across the country in order to enable social distancing.

However, the Civil Defense explained that the beaches of the hotel zones of the main tourist destinations in the country remain open.

The agency announced a list of 227 points in rivers, lakes, springs and popular-use beaches near urban areas that were closed, but clarified that the decision does not apply to beaches in the country’s tourist areas.

This measure seeks to maintain physical distance due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in the country.

“For your safety and that of yours. You will soon be able to enjoy them, but for now, be cautious, ”says the notice.

The closed beaches and river bahts are located in Santo Domingo, Boca Chica, Guerra, Pedro Brand, Monte Plata, Bayaguana, Sabana Grande de Boyá, Yamasá, Santiago, Puerto Plata, Mao, Gaspar Hernández, Santiago Rodríguez, Montecristi, Villa Vásquez, San Pedro de Macorís, Juan Dolio and Hato Mayor.

In addition, La Romana, El Seibo, La Altagracia, Duarte, Nagua, Samaná, Jarabacoa, La Vega, Monseñor Nouel, Cotuí, Sánchez Ramírez, Peravia, San Cristóbal, San José de Ocoa, Barahona, Azua, Las Matas de Farfán, San Juan and Elías Piñas.

The US Embassy in the Dominican Republic has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory advising citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19.

In Other News:

Grenada to reduce airline tickets taxes

The post The Dominican Republic on lockdown for 45 days appeared first on Caribbean News Now!.

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