PM Says COVID-19 Containment Measures Will End Soon

• Prime Minister Holness, says over the coming months the Government will be looking to remove more of the measures that have been instituted to contain the coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission. 
• “Barring any extreme change in circumstances, our approach will be to gradually scale back restrictive measures once we get out of the fourth wave that we are now experiencing. We will not keep the measures longer than is necessary,” Mr. Holness said. 
• It is highly speculated that the Omicron variant, which has been the major driver of the surge in COVID-19 cases both internationally and locally will begin to dissipate in the coming weeks, particularly in developed nations. Locally, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie, highlighted earlier this month that Jamaica could reach the peak week of the fourth wave of the coronavirus (COVID-19) by the end of January/early February. 
• Given the Prime Minister’s statements, it is likely that we will see reduced measures leading into the summer period and beyond barring any extreme changes. This push towards a state of pre-pandemic normalcy will incentivize business activity and aid in Jamaica’s economic recovery.

(Sources: JIS and NCBCM Research)