Post by jamaicaclassifieds on Aug 8, 2020 15:23:44 GMT
Some St. Thomas residents reportedly fleeing community quarantine
Reports have surfaced that some residents of Bamboo River in St. Thomas have been fleeing the community since the Prime Minister's announcement of a 14-day quarantine.
Residents of Bamboo River and the adjoining community of Church Corner have been quarantined following an increase in coronavirus cases.
Commanding Officer for the St. Thomas Police, Superintendent Allison Byfield, says members of her team have had challenges with some of the residents.
Superintendent Byfield told Radio Jamaica News that an investigation is being carried out into reports that some persons in the quarantine area are trying to move to other communities.
"We are getting these reports. We are searching around. We have not yet picked up anyone, but we are getting information that persons are fleeing the community," she reported.
Other communities could be quarantined
Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton, who visited Bamboo River and Church Corner on Friday, said other communities will be quarantined if the spike in coronavirus cases continues.
Dr. Tufton said quarantining communities might become the norm as the country tries to contain the spread of the virus.
"...This may not be an unusual occurrence over time because, in restoring normality to the country, you're going to have to live with COVID and there are risks associated with that. The alternative to that is to shut down everywhere and there are implications of that too," he reasoned.
Open cornershops
Meanwhile, Dr. Fenton Ferguson, Member of Parliament for St. Thomas East, wants cornershops in the two communities to remain open to serve residents.
"If we are able to persuade the persons in the area and the business persons in conforming and the public education that will take place, I believe it can be orderly. And it would serve many persons better if you didn't have to go into Morant Bay," he suggested.