Tufton Defends Move By Government To Make Hospital Quarantine Facility

The St. Joseph’s Hospital in St Andrew is still the designated Coronavirus quarantine facility. This despite protests by vineyard town residents over the government’s decision. A meeting was health with officials from the Health Ministry but their responses were not accepted by the residents.

On Tuesday, the Health and Wellness minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton, defended the move by his administration to use the health facility as a quarantine area.

The Minister met along with the Chief Medical Officer Jacqueline Bisasor – Mckenzie and Member of Parliament, Julian Robinson met with residents on Tuesday.

Some expressed concerns about why the Government chose the facility over other areas. Tufton noted that other quarantine areas were being sought and would be announced. He advised residents that they would still be able to use and access services but the clinic would be relocated.

Residents believe that the Government should have first consulted with them before the decision was made.

KHADIJAH THOMAS