Arena Overcrowded As Hundreds Receive COVID-19 Jab

With the rapidly increasing COVID-19 infections recently, hundreds of Jamaicans turned out at the National Arena on Monday, August 30, to receive their jabs. However, congestion quickly became an issue that saw some persons being turned away or rerouted to alternative locations.

As hundreds came out to receive doses of the AstraZeneca and the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines, an advisory was also sent out by the Ministry of Health stating that the arena had reached its capacity. Some persons diverted to the aging and wellness center at the University of the West Indies Mona campus, while others went to the Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston.

However, according to Regional Epidemiologist at the South East Regional Health Authority, (SERHA) Dr. Yohance Rodriguez, members of the Jamaica Defense Force, (JDF) were on location to manage the crowd. He notes that the JF is responsible for getting persons inside the arena, however the major issue was with the parking lot which was evidently overcrowded.

Dr. Rodriguez adds that the parking lot of the arena was overcrowded which he notes caused the traffic congestion along the roadway. Up to 5 pm persons were still at the arena waiting to be vaccinated. Vaccination continues on Wednesday, September 1, at the National Arena and other locations across the island.

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