Church council calls for halt of in-person campaigning over COVID concerns

The Jamaica Council of Churches (JCC) is calling for all physical in-person campaign activities to stop in a bid to limit the spread of COVID-19.

JCC president Reverend Newton Dixon says the group is concerned about further spikes in infections.

Dixon notes that the current increase in cases has been associated with the emancipendence period and that there is concern that nomination day activities could play a role in driving up infections.

“We have pondered the rationale of calling and contesting an election in the midst of a pandemic while cases of COVID-19 were on the rise,” said Dixon in a statement.

“While the view by some that it may be too late to review/reconsider the decision, there’s also a discernible momentum towards a contrary position given the disconcerting spike in the number of positive COVID-19 tests.

“Notwithstanding this however, we believe that a clear statement of the reasons for the calling and contesting of the elections, from both the Government and Opposition, would be of immense benefit to the country and minimise the growing sense of cynicism with which too many Jamaicans view our politics and politicians,” he continued.

He says while the council appreciates the Government’s efforts in imposing containment measures to limit the most recent spread of the virus, it believes steps should be taken to address the likely upsurge with the same urgency it applied to the first wave of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Dixon says the authorities need to outline the COVID-19 procedures for voting so that no one is disenfranchised.

“The country needs to hear clearly and repeatedly the protocols for handling persons who have tested positive for COVID-19, those in quarantine/isolation, those 65-years-old and over, especially the home bound, and for persons with disabilities.

“It is also our view that if the general elections are to be held as scheduled, then there is urgent need for clarity on every aspect and procedure related to voting in this pandemic,” the JCC president said.

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