KINGSTON, Jamaica— All Government of Jamaica offices will close at 4:00pm on Monday in response to the imminent weather system expected to affect the island later Monday, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has announced.

The OPM said in a press release, however, that all essential and emergency services, including hospitals and law enforcement, will continue to operate as normal.

It stated that the decision was taken following consultations with the Meteorological Service (Met Service) and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).

The Government said the decision is a “precautionary and proactive measure to ensure the safety and well-being of our employees and the public as weather conditions are anticipated to deteriorate”.

The Met Service said the weather system, now labeled Tropical Depression #18, is expected to bring adverse weather conditions including heavy rainfall, and strong gusty winds.

The OPM said based on this report from the Met Service, it is aware that rainfall from the tropical depression could impact transportation and the ability of employees to commute safely.

It went on to encourage the public to stay informed by following updates from the Met Office and ODPEM, and to exercise caution during any travel that may be necessary.