Prime Minister Andrew Holness is again imploring Jamaicans to take greater personal responsibility for protecting themselves from COVID-19, as tighter virus prevention measures could result in further economic setback for the country.
“Now there are those who would want to see tighter rules, but we have to reach a reasonable balance. Tighter rules could mean less work, it could mean less economic activity, less income, and that could also mean more social problems,” he contended.
Holness has been under some amount of pressure to tighten the island’s COVID-19 measures in light of the current surge in infections and hospitalisations, including health workers being significantly affected.
But Holness has remained grounded in his belief that “argument done” relative to the re-imposition of more lockdown measures, a decision that has seen him facing strong criticism and pushback from many within the medical community who are under strain from the fourth coronavirus wave.
In addressing the official opening of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade’s new headquarters in downtown Kingston last week, Holness, in a more gentle and controlled manner, urged Jamaicans to adhere to the measures that have been implemented under the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA).
“There are rules, regulations and requirements under the DRMA, which were set many months ago, which the nation has been advised of, and it is these rules that we will continue to observe,” Holness said.
He pointed out that while the Government has a duty to protect citizens, Jamaicans must use their freedom responsibly.
“I believe we all understand that it is now down to us. In this our 60th year of Independence, what does independence mean? It doesn’t mean freedom to do as you wish, it means freedom to act responsibly, and I reinforce the point that, yes, Government has a duty to protect the citizens, even against themselves, but in a democracy, [in] which we claim people have freedom, that freedom comes with an inescapable responsibility,” Holness asserted.
“This nation must develop and learn to use their freedom responsibly, and as the leader of the nation at this time, regardless of pushback, objections, I must stand firm… Each citizen must do their part,” the prime minister stressed.
In the meantime, the new Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade headquarters was officially named ‘The Hugh Lawson Shearer Building’, in honour of the late former Prime Minister.
