
Jamaica declares disaster zone:
Begs diasporans to stay out
By Vinette K. Pryce
Following a declaration
from Jamaica’s Prime Minister
Andrew Holness that
the COVID-19 pandemic had
infected the Caribbean island,
foreign minister Kamina Johnson
–Smith amplified the order
with a plea to foreign nationals
to stay out.
She made the appeal to
diasporans last week after nine
individuals tested positive to
the virus – all of them linked
to foreign travel to the United
Kingdom (7) United States (1)
and Trinidad & Tobago (1).
“We know that you may have
strong emotional drivers and
reasons for travelling or for
having made plans at this time;
But we are asking for your
own personal safety, for your
own risk reduction,” Johnson-
Smith explained.
Residents on the island
reacted to the unprecedented
request with relief and gratification
that the government
swiftly moved to contain the
deadly virus which seems to
rapidly spread and could devastate
the population.
However, diasporans who
planned to return home to
funerals, weddings, vacation,
the annual sports Championship
Caribbean L 20 ife, March 20-26, 2020
attraction and other personal
commitments seemed
conflicted now that their travel
plans were upended.
“How can she tell us not
to come home?” a nationalized
citizen asked. “We should
be able to come and go as we
please.”
The individual who asked
anonymity said she purchased
multiple tickets in advance of
the scare and had planned a
family retreat that included relatives
from Canada, England
and guests originating from
various states throughout the
USA.
According to the bewildered
Jamaican, hotel reservations,
visits to various parishes, and a
myriad of recreational engagements
were part of a package
deal she pre-paid and hoped
would reunite the family in her
homeland.
“I think it is a great idea,”
another expatriate said, “Our
little island can’t handle this
disease that China, Italy and
the United States can’t even
control.”
“I wanted to celebrate my
birthday down there,” Paul
Haughton added, “but I started
to have second thoughts
<span class=”image-caption”>Jamaica’s Minister of Health
Christopher Tufton and PM Andrew Holness.</span>
after hearing about all the travel
risks and now I can relax
because divine intervention
decided for me.”
The announcement from the
island coincided with an advisory
from Consul General Alsion
Wilson that the Manhattanbased
consulate would close
due to the prevailing health
conditions here.
The diplomat explained that
New York City and government
officials here had requested
that her office “postpone all
public gatherings and nonessential
travels, locally and
internationally.”
Jamaica Consul General to
New York, Alsion Wilson.