News Briefs
Published:Wednesday | October 27, 2021 | 3:49 AM
Fully vaxxed fans might watch Boyz at stadium in January
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Desmond McKenzie has hinted that fully vaccinated spectators might be allowed to attend home game World Cup qualifiers by January 2022.
The disclosure came on Tuesday after a meeting with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, Jamaica Fire Brigade, the police, and Social Development Commission, and the sport, health, and local government ministries.
The stakeholders concluded that it was neither practical nor safe to allow for fully vaccinated spectators to attend the Reggae Boyz’s November 16 qualifier against the United States.
The delicate stage of the COVID-19 pandemic and extensive logistical inputs were cited by McKenzie as critical risk factors.
“However, discussions will continue regarding the possibility of allowing vaccinated spectators into ‘The Office’ for the following World Cup qualifying home match against Mexico on January 27, 2022,” said McKenzie.
“These consultations will, of course, be influenced by the continuous monitoring of the COVID-19 indicators in the country, including the positivity rate. Once a decision is arrived at, an announcement will be made in due course.”
Jamaica recorded a COVID-19 positivity rate of 8.3 per cent on Monday. More than 13 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated. However, per-capita take-up is among the lowest in the Caribbean.
Cops hunt killers of Gregory Park man
Investigators in the St Catherine South Police Division are still searching for two men who shot and killed a man along the Caymanas main road on Monday, October 25.
The deceased has been identified as Maurice Hoyte, otherwise called ‘Cornbread’, an unemployed man from Train Line in Gregory Park, St Catherine.
Reports are that about 9:45 a.m., Hoyte was walking along the roadway when, upon reaching a wholesale and retail store, he was pounced upon by two men.
The men reportedly brandished handguns and shot him repeatedly in the upper body.
Hoyte was assisted to the Spanish Town General Hospital in St Catherine where he was pronounced dead.
His attackers escaped.
Woman charged for Port Maria Hospital knife attack
Detectives assigned to the Port Maria Police Station have arrested and charged a woman with wounding with intent following an incident at the Port Maria Hospital on Thursday, October 21.
Charged is 28-year-old Debra Cole of Bailey’s Vale, St Mary.
Reports are that while Cole was visiting her brother at the hospital, she got into an argument with a female.
Cole allegedly used a knife to stab the female to her chest. The victim suffered a blood clot and was treated and admitted in a serious condition.
The accused will appear before the Port Maria Parish Court on Thursday.