Journalists get all-clear to move about in St Catherine lockdown

The Government has agreed to make changes to an order prohibiting media workers from moving about during the period of lockdown in St Catherine to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The move came after the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) yesterday made an appeal to Prime Minister Andrew Holness to review the regulation to allow the press to operate freely in light of its duty to the public, especially in a time of crisis such as this.

In Parliament on Wednesday, Holness had announced that media workers could only move about the quarantined parish on Wednesday and Saturday, the days designated for restocking, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Further, the prime minister said that if there was a matter requiring media presence, journalists would have had to get the permission of the ground commander to move about.

Yesterday, PAJ President George Davis said that the association could not allow the order to go without protest in a democratic society.

“While media workers will adhere to lawful instructions from the security forces and will take all necessary steps to protect themselves given the contagious nature of COVID-19, it is vital in the public interest that they be allowed to continue reporting on the pandemic,” he said in a release.

Further, Davis argued that the fact that the measures taken by Jamaica to stop the spread of coronavirus involves the curtailment of constitutional rights makes it even more important that the State not fetter the media’s work.

Chairman of the Media Association Jamaica, Christopher Barnes, also said yesterday that his members shared the PAJ’s concern.

While journalists will now have free movement to carry out their duties, the prime minister indicated that they would still be expected to follow established protocols, including all guidelines and orders to ensure their personal safety and the safety of others.