Justice ministry to close offices

Public health authorities are expected to order the closure of the justice ministry's second- floor offices located at the NCB South Tower on Oxford Road in St Andrew.

The impending closure follows what the ministry calls the escalation of ventilation issues affecting the floor yesterday.

The justice ministry says several of its employees showed signs of serious illness, resulting in three having to seek medical attention and one being hospitalised.

A statement from the ministry said the problem was not observed on the remaining floors occupied by the ministry.

Officials from the Health Ministry, the Jamaica Fire Brigade, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, and the National Environment and Planning Agency visited the offices yesterday.

The justice ministry says the longstanding ventilation problem has been reported to the Michael Lee Chin-owned AIC Group.

The ministry says in the past, the Public Health Department has had to be called in to investigate and staff has had to be relocated to other floors.

In the meantime, all employees of the justice ministry are being asked to report for work today.

The ministry says it will continue to offer all its services.