KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition spokesman on health and wellness, Dr Morais Guy has criticised the latest measures announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness to control the surge in COVID-19 cases.

Guy, in a statement today, said the Cabinet decisions focused entirely on social control strategies, while ignoring blatant breaches by the Government spaces they control such as tax offices, markets, and transport centres. 

He is also registering grave concern with the extended weekend curfew hours, which he believes will result in overcrowding in supply establishments during the shortened opening hours.

“Holy Thursday is one of the biggest shopping days of the year and consumers will be hard-pressed to complete their activities within schedule”, the Opposition spokesman said.

Guy is also concerned that the Cabinet offered no solutions to improve the medical management of the crisis despite the health sector being completely overwhelmed at this time. 

“The plan doesn’t reflect input from scientists and health professionals who have the burden of day-to-day management of the crisis,” said Guy.

He also pointed out that with nearly 700 confirmed and unconfirmed cases in hospitals, there needs to be urgent arrangements for additional hospital beds.

 Guy said he was now urging a ‘whole of country’ approach to the crisis, involving the Opposition, the private sector and civil society. 

“All public and private health professionals must be mobilised and deployed to save Jamaica”, he said.

In addition, he called for vital hospital supplies including oxygen, drugs, safety clothing and disposables to be provided to all institutions throughout the entire public health system. 

Masks should also be distributed free of cost to low income and unemployed persons in town centres and other heavily trafficked areas, Guy added.