Caribzone News Highlight

Jamaica

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton, says Ministry officials acted in accordance with the law by preventing a cruise ship from docking at the Ocho Rios port on Tuesday, February 25.

The ship had had an undisclosed crew member on board, who was in isolation for a health-related condition.

Speaking during a media briefing at the Ministry’s offices in New Kingston on Thursday February 27, Dr. Tufton said the ship’s management failed to indicate in their report filed prior to docking that they had a case that could have been considered a health-related threat, in accordance with stipulations under Jamaica’s Quarantine Act, 1951.

“The vessel arrived at approximately 8:30 a.m. and, upon inspection by port health officials, it was discovered that the crew member had been put in isolation. The crew member had a cough, fever and associated muscle pains, together with a travel history to a country of interest related to COVID-19 [the novel coronavirus],” he noted.

This, the Minister pointed out, constituted a breach of protocol under the Act, which he noted, provides a “well-established system for the protection of our seaports”.

Dr. Tufton said the health team requested additional particulars on the patient, including the person’s clinical history, in order to “make the appropriate assessment”. He pointed out, however, that that information “took some time” to be produced.

He said that in light of the decision by the ship’s management to isolate the officer, “recognizing the threat posed to the other members of the vessel,” coupled with the late notification and breach of protocol in not initially providing the information, “a decision was taken that… it was in the best interest of our country and people [that] the vessel continue on to its next port [of call]”.

While acknowledging the importance of the cruise industry to Jamaica, Dr. Tufton said that the Government “has an obligation to protect the health and safety of our citizens, in the first instance”. 

“We acted in accordance with our fiduciary responsibility to provide protection, in the first instance, to our population, and we are prepared to do it again if the rules are not followed, because that’s the right thing to do,” he stressed.

Dr. Tufton said he has discussed the matter with Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, and other members of the Cabinet, including Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, and has written to the Port Authority of Jamaica.

 “So, ongoing discussions are taking place. We have additional discussions at the regional level with CARICOM and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). So a lot has taken place over the last couple of days in terms of just trying to appreciate what is happening and what the risks are,” the Minister said.

 “So there is a balancing act that has to be played out. Keeping the region safe and free of a virus such as this one [COVID-19] will, hopefully, attract tourists, but, ultimately, it has to come down to the health of our people,” he underscored.

--00—

Jamaica

Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, and Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has broken ground for a US$1 billion multi-resort development – Sugarcane Bay Jamaica – in Llandovery, St. Ann.

The project is being executed by Karisma Hotels and Resorts on a 226-acre property that will add approximately 4,700 new rooms in the tourism sector.

The landmark investment will create 10,000 new permanent jobs, attract approximately 375,000 visitors annually to the island and generate $850 million yearly to the economy. The resort also represents the first major investment under the country’s ‘Shovel Ready’ Programme.

In his address, the Prime Minister said this investment is an indication of the robust growth in local tourism.  He emphasized that investors can also be assured that their investments are safe and secure, due to the strong economic policy in Jamaica.

“So, you can be certain that whatever you invest here, will not be at the mercy of whimsical tax policy or other forms of regulations that could deplete or ruin your business. That is not the case in Jamaica,” Mr. Holness explained.

For his part, Mr. Bartlett said the investment represents a new chapter for St. Ann’s tourism output to the overall economy.

Additionally, he pointed out that revenue to be generated will enable a wide range of economic activities to take place, providing the basis of “prosperity which is the mantra of this Government.”  

“So, we are excited about the partnership and I want to say to you that this is a very important moment that you are showing confidence in destination Jamaica. It’s an important moment too when you are saying to the world, given the current situation that we are facing, tourism is still the energizer of economic activities globally,” Mr. Bartlett said.

The Minister noted that this development forms part of Jamaica’s overall goal of 15,000 new rooms in the next three to five years.

In the meantime, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Karisma Hotels & Resorts, Armando Chomat, lauded the Jamaican Government and its agencies for working with the group to make Sugarcane Bay Jamaica a reality.

--00—

Haiti

Opposition political parties which have been demanding the resignation of President Jovenel Moise, last week said they would not recognize the newly announced Prime Minister Jouthe Joseph.

Opposition spokesman, André Michel, speaking on behalf of the so-called “Democratic and Popular” movement, also rejected a call for a truce by Joseph, describing the third prime minister since Moise came to office in 2017 as “de Facto” having not been ratified by Parliament.

In January, Moise announced the end of the bicameral Parliament with the departure of all members of the lower chamber and two-thirds of the Senate, leaving just 10 senators. The institutional void occurred after the country failed to hold legislative and local elections in October.

When he announced Joseph as the new prime minister, Moise said that he was calling on him to “form, as soon as possible, a Government of openness and consensus, capable of responding to the emergencies of the day”.

But Michel said contrary to Moise's call “it is now that the fight begins” against the government.

Meanwhile, former foreign affairs minister, Bocchit Edmond, said he was honored to have served “my country at this prestigious level”.

--00—

Guyana.

Acting Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire on Sunday ruled that the High Court has jurisdiction over an injunction filed by a supporter of the main opposition People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) as Guyana awaits the outcome of last Monday's regional and general elections.

“I am therefore cognisant that the restriction that would require the approach to the courts by way of election petitions. However, there can clearly be cases where the court's supervisory jurisdiction can be invoked to ensure …the smooth operation or progress of the election proceedings or process,” the Acting Chief Justice said.

“A court cannot shirk its duty in this regard and shelter behind the contention that an election petition should be filed when the case clearly does not so warrant.

“As such, having found that there is prima facie evidence to support the court having jurisdiction to hear this application, the respondents must be given a chance to be heard in response through any evidence they may wish to file,” the Acting Chief Justice added.

Last Thursday, Justice Navindra Singh granted an injunction against Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) the Chief Election Officer, Keith Lowenfield, and Returning Officer for Region Four Clairmont Mingo, after the application had been filed by Reeaz Holladar.

The PPP/C had earlier secured an injunction to block GECOM from declaring the results for the elections on the grounds that the votes declared for Region Four were not completely verified.

Holladar had sought a number of remedies including an order from the High Court that the declaration of the Region Four votes by the Returning Officer is in breach of the provisions of the Representation of the People's Act and as such it is unconstitutional.

He also wants a declaration that GECOM cannot legally or constitutionally declare the results of the regional and general elections unless and until the Returning Officer or the Deputy Returning Officer for Region Four, complies with the process set out in Section 84 of the Representation of the People's Act.

--00--