One-Minute Reads ... News from around Jamaica

Fire station closed due to COVID-19

The Port Antonio Fire Station has been temporarily closed due to a confirmed case of COVID-19

The management of the Jamaica Fire Brigade reported yesterday that the operations of the station have been relocated to the Salvation Army compound at 3 West Baptist Avenue, Port Antonio, with immediate effect.

"Members of the public may still call the station to report emergency incidents at 876-993-3041. However, visits to the station have been suspended to facilitate deep cleaning and sanitisation of the premises. Emergency incidents may also be reported through telephone numbers 876-857-5981 or 876-857-5994," the brigade said.

All members of staff who may have been in contact with the confirmed case are in self-quarantine and are to be tested for COVID-19. The fire station will be reopened on Thursday.

Transport Authority extends road licence amnesty

The Transport Authority has extended the amnesty for road licences that have expired March 31, 2019 to operators of both public passenger vehicles and commercial carriers, until September 30.

The initial period for the amnesty was between July 20, 2020 and August 31, 2020. However, the Transport Authority has extended the amnesty by one month to facilitate those persons who have not yet taken up the offer. No late fees will be charged during the amnesty period.

"The Transport Authority urges especially operators of public passenger vehicles, who are affected, to take advantage of the opportunity to renew their licences and legitimise their operations, as failure to do so, will result in the licences being invalid, once the amnesty period has ended," the agency said in a release.

More locals encouraged to embrace 'Rediscover Jamaica' campaign

Tourism stakeholders and 'Resilient Corridor' interests are encouraging more Jamaicans to embrace the 'Rediscover Jamaica' campaign, in order to drive a sustainable domestic tourism market.

The initiative, which is being promoted by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), was launched in July and encourages Jamaicans to take advantage of the country's many tourism products and attractions through 'staycation' packages.

President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Omar Robinson, said that the campaign has been doing "tremendously well" for hotels and attractions.

Robinson indicated that hotels are experiencing up to 50 to 60 per cent occupancy from Jamaicans alone, who are buying into deals that are being offered under the campaign.

He is assuring that local hotels are maintaining a strict adherence to the COVID-19 safety protocols.

Early encashment of pension vouchers

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is advising National Insurance Scheme (NIS) pensioners that they will be able to encash all pension vouchers with payable dates of September 2020, on Thursday.

The early encashment is available only at post offices. The National Commercial Bank (NCB) has advised that it will no longer encash pension order vouchers.

Pensioners are being urged to sign up with the NIS's Direct Deposit Payment system, which allows for pensions to be deposited directly to their bank accounts.

The form may be downloaded from the ministry's website, mlss.gov.jm. For more information, persons may contact the NIS office at (876) 929-7177 or the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Social Security Division) (876) 922-8000-13, (888) 991-2089 (Toll Free) or emailmlssprunit@gmail.com.

Students get laptops

Six top performing students on the EduFocal online learning platform were the recent recipients of individual laptop computers, made possible through the Wisynco Group Limited and its partnership with JP St Mary Snacks and Tru-Juice.

The presentation of the devices came in time for back-to-school preparations and as a follow-up to a $6 million cash contribution from the partner entities to help offset costs associated with the extended free access to the EduFocal online learning platform and EduFocal L!VE classes during April and May.

For three weeks students competed in a series of live weekly quizzes in the 'Win A Laptop' competition for grades four, five and six, through the award-winning social learning platform. Approximately 4,000 students participated in the weekly Social Studies, Mathematics, Language Arts and Science quizzes.