Covid-19

Davis bats for face-to-face classes in Hanover Western

LUCEA, Hanover - Member of Parliament (MP) for Hanover Western Tamika Davis is calling on the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information to consider schools in her constituency for the second phase of face-to-face classes. Read More

Germany set to extend partial shutdown well into December
BERLIN (AP) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the country's 16 state governors are expected to extend a partial shutdown well into December, and discuss tightening some restrictions while allowing somewhat more generous rules for the Christmas period.... Read More

Despite warnings, millions in the US travel for Thanksgiving
Millions of Americans took to the skies and hit the road ahead of Thanksgiving today at the risk of pouring gasoline on the novel coronavirus fire, disregarding increasingly dire warnings that they stay home and limit their holiday gatherings to members of their own...... Read More

AstraZeneca says its vaccine needs 'additional study'
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP)— The head of British drug manufacturer AstraZeneca said on Thursday further research was needed on its COVID-19 vaccine after questions emerged over the protection it offers, but the additional testing is unlikely to affect regulatory approval in...... Read More

Africa lacks preparedness for virus vaccine roll-out – WHO

Thursday, November, 26 2020

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AFP)— The World Health Organization on Thursday urged African countries to improve their capacity to vaccinate populations against COVID-19, warning the continent was still "far from ready" for mass immunisation. Read More

Tourism ministry pledges continued support for COVID-19 Ambassador Programme

Thursday, November, 26 2020

KINGSTON, Jamaica— Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett says the ministry will continue to provide “tangible” support to the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association's (JHTA) new COVID-19 Ambassador Programme. Read More

COVID-19: Here's what you need to know today

Thursday, November, 26 2020

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The number of confirmed COVID-19 infections worldwide has surpassed 60.4 million, with over 1.4 million people across 196 countries and territories having died and over 38.5 million having recovered from the virus. Many countries had eased restrictions on movement and... Read More

53 new COVID-19 cases, one death

Thursday, November, 26 2020

KINGSTON, Jamaica— The total number of COVID-19 cases in Jamaica rose to 10,541 after 53 new cases were recorded over the last 24 hours.The country's death toll also increased to 248 following the death of a 75-year-old man from St James. Read More

Antigen testing being piloted at nine public health facilities

Thursday, November, 26 2020

KINGSTON, Jamaica— The Ministry of Health and Wellness has commenced the pilot of antigen testing for the coronavirus (COVID) at nine public health facilities islandwide. Read More

High court blocks NY coronavirus limits on houses of worship

Thursday, November, 26 2020

WASHINGTON, United States (AP) — As coronavirus cases surge again nationwide the Supreme Court late Wednesday barred New York from enforcing certain limits on attendance at churches and synagogues in areas designated as hard hit by the virus. Read More

Microsoft providing 500,000 software licences to J'can students

By Balford Henry Senior staff reporter balfordh@jamaicaobserver.com | Wednesday, November, 25 2020

Education Minister Fayval Williams yesterday announced a partnership with Microsoft to provide 500,000 of the company's 365 education software licences to local students. Read More

Delay to local gov't elections

By Balford Henry Senior staff reporter balfordh@jamaicaobserver.com | Wednesday, November, 25 2020

The Jamaican electorate may have to wait close to 15 months for another opportunity vote, as the period within which the next local government elections can be held has been extended to February 2022. Read More

'Not normal times'

BY KIMONE FRANCIS Senior staff reporter francisk@jamaicaobserver.com | Wednesday, November, 25 2020

MAINTAINING that “these are not normal times” Prime Minister Andrew Holness yesterday proposed a different Christmas and New Year under COVID-19 restrictions, tightening curfew hours for the holidays and limiting gatherings, a move designed to control the spread of the virus... Read More

Gov't looking to revise funeral restrictions

Wednesday, November, 25 2020

KINGSTON, Jamaica— Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government is examining measures to facilitate funerals with restrictive protocols. Read More

The pandemic is changing Hollywood, maybe forever

Wednesday, November, 25 2020

NEW YORK (AP) — “No New 'Movies' Till Influenza Ends” blared a New York Times headline on October 10, 1918, while the deadly second wave of the Spanish Flu was unfolding. Read More