KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Andrew Holness says he will be announcing a new set of stronger measures to deal with the spike in COVID-19 cases across the country when the current set of measures expire next week.

The measures in place now will expire on March 22.

Holness was making his Budget Debate presentation in the House of Representatives.

“With hospitalisation numbers continuing to exceed capacity, daily positivity rate in the range of 30 per cent, and our estimated infection reproduction rate continuing above one, I will be announcing a new set of stronger measures, designed to protect our health care system and save lives in the short term which eventually protects and preserves our economy and livelihoods in the long term,” Holness said.

The prime minister also noted that Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Desmond McKenzie today tabled amendments to the Disaster Risk Management Act to implement the new ticketing systems for enforcement of infection, prevention and control measures.

He said the Government is prepared to have the Bill reviewed by a Joint Select Committee over the weekend and debate and pass the Bill next week if the Opposition is willing.