More Time is needed to Prepare for Lockdowns

As expected, Jamaicans flocked supermarkets today to stock up on food items and home supplies ahead of the announced lockdowns, the first three days of no movement, is set to begin on Sunday, August 22. The measures were imposed to stem the rising infections that have caused hospitalizations to skyrocket.

In a Jamaica House press briefing on Thursday, August 19, Prime Minister Andrew Holness says if the numbers continue to spike through lack of compliance, the Government will have no choice but to introduce further measures to restrict movement which will inevitably have an adverse impact on the economy and on livelihoods.

Traffic moved slowly in the corporate area on Friday, August 20. At three supermarkets, there were no parking spaces available, and lines formed on the outside and the inside. CVM Live obtained footage from PriceSmart and it was evident that Jamaicans were in full preparation mode for the ‘no movement days’ to be imposed over the next two weeks, despite the days not running consecutively.

The Government extended Friday’s curfew from 7 pm to 9 pm to allow persons to prepare for the lockdown. Some shoppers who did not wish to speak on camera complained that only financially stable people will be able to get through the lockdowns, while others sought to express their views openly.

More in this CVM Live story from Robian Williams: