ST JAMES, Jamaica- Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton has defended the Government’s move to walk away from the measures that were put in place under the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA), citing the country’s need to “get back as much as possible to normality”.

The measures which were set in place to curtail the spread of COVID-19 for close to two years were withdrawn on March 18. This saw the lifting of nightly curfews, mask mandates and physical distancing no longer being heavily policed.

This sparked a conversation with citizens sharing concerns on the decision made by the Government.

However, speaking at Thursday’s COVID Conversations Virtual Press Conference, Tufton reiterated that the risks associated with lifting the DRMA were carefully analysed by the ministry and the need for balance was decided based on the wellbeing of citizens.

“There is a level of risk in every decision that is taken, and we start from the premise that we recommend or make policy around the COVID response that attempts to balance the critical interests that [when] combined, makes up a society and how a society functions. But there is also recognition that in making that decision, there are risks or levels of risks that are involved,” said Tufton.

“The general response is that we need to get back as much as possible to normality because after two years, we were really under stress as a society. There were several side effects affecting our economy, our country, [and] our children not going to school. So, the relaxation was intended….to achieve that balance,” the minister added.

While the mandate surrounding the wearing of masks has been removed, Tufton maintained that the Government is not discouraging citizens’ usage of the protective gear. But, the minister stated, the lifting of the measures can be viewed as a way of encouraging the usage of personal responsibility.

“The mask mandate is not a recommendation not to wear a mask. While there is a risk by saying you don’t have to….the management of that risk is up to you to say, ‘I will wear one [when] I think I’m at risk], and I think that is an attempt at balance,” said Tufton.

The minister continued, “and an attempt at getting back to normality that we all seek and desire for other benefits.”

According to Tufton, the removal of the restrictions surrounding individuals flying into the country is currently not up for assessment.

“I don’t think we should live in regret as it relates to the lifting of those restrictions, but we will continue to monitor as we go along,” the minister declared.

Additionally, Tufton said, the reopening of the entertainment industry was also the Government’s effort to strike a “balance” in addressing the country’s decline in positivity rate. However, if needs be, the Government will revisit its decision, the minister declared.

“The entertainment industry was shut down practically for the better part of two years at much cost – social cost [and] economic cost. To remove restrictions and keep entertainment close would frankly speaking be a highly inequitable position, and clearly not address the balance that we sought to achieve when we decided to take those measures once we saw the decline of the last wave,” said Tufton

“So again, there are risks, but we felt that it was worth taking that risk at that particular point in time. That doesn’t mean we won’t continue to review and adjust, if necessary,” the minister added.