Hospitals taking only one visitor per patient
March 22, 2020
Hospital visits are now reduced to once per day and to one visitor per patient, as the Ministry of Health and Wellness pursues efforts to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Also, operations at Outpatient Clinics in public hospitals have been scaled back while some services at Type I and Type II facilities are suspended. Food Handlers Clinics are also suspended.
These steps are to allow public health nurses and public health inspectors to assist in the contact tracing process for persons exposed to COVID-19.
In the meantime, members of the public are reminded to take the following steps.
- STAY HOME if you are ill and having fever and/or respiratory symptoms.
- Maintain a distance of at least one metre from other persons.
- Frequently perform hand hygiene by washing hands thoroughly with soap and water or using a hand sanitizer if hands are not visibly soiled.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and then discarding it.
- And resist the habit to touch your face.
Further, public gatherings and non-essential travel are discouraged.
For more information, contact the Ministry of Health & Wellness at the COVID-19 lines: 888-754-7792 and 888-ONE-LOVE (663-5683). Additional numbers to call are 876-542-5998, 876-542-6007 and 876-542-6006.
In addition to the numbers provided, information and updates on COVID-19 can be found at the Ministry’s website at https://www.moh.gov.jm and social media platforms @themohwgovjm. Members of the public may also email covid19@moh.gov.jm or jacovid19facts@gmail.com.