BOUNTY Killer is urging Jamaicans to continue to practise COVID-19 safety and preventive measures despite the discontinuation of the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA).

The veteran dancehall deejay was speaking with the Jamaica Observer at the return of retro party series Mello Vibes, held at Sabina Park in Kingston on Saturday. He emphasised the need for people to take personal responsibility in the COVID-19 fight and that we are all still very much at risk. Bounty Killer added that continued vigilance is necessary and should be undertaken.

“I think some people believe that because of the freedom and restrictions have been lifted, it is a signal that COVID is dying. I’m here to tell them this: ‘No. That’s a lie!’ Everybody has to be responsible and follow the protocols. We are thankful for the freedom to be outside again, but we must not sleep on the pandemic. It is still alive, so we have to party responsible,” he told the Observer.

“When we can wear a mask, wear a mask and when we don’t have to, we don’t. It’s that simple. Some activities we take part in does, that require us to wear a mask. For instance, how are you going to eat at a restaurant in a mask?” Bounty Killer continued.

In a virtual press conference on Thursday, Chief Medical Officer Dr Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie said that the virus reproductive rate is now at 1.4, which indicates that it is increasing in the general population.

“Over the last couple of days, we have seen a steady increase in the number of cases. On Wednesday, April 27, we had a 14.8 positivity rate, which is a high positivity rate… that represents the steady increase over the last couple of days,” she pointed out.

There have been 129,978 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Jamaica to date, with 116 new cases recorded on Thursday. There have been 2,962 COVID-19-related deaths to date.

After two years, Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced the lifting of all COVID-19 protocols under the DRMA, effective Friday, March 18.

The measures were the Government’s main arsenal in the fight against the worst pandemic to hit the planet in 100 years. The measures included mandatory mask-wearing in public spaces, nightly curfews, and the shuttering of the entertainment sector.

Bounty Killer gave praises to the Government for the reopening of the entertainment industry and saluted the organisers of Mello Vibes for yet another successful staging.

“I feel elated that entertainment industry has reopened and not only me but everyone involved in the sector. They feel excited and grateful to be outside again. Mello Vibes is not my first show since the reopening of the industry but it is my first major concert in Jamaica. It was great! In fact, this was more than ‘mello’ this was ‘shello’! If you look around, you can see that the people were hungry for this type of recreational type of activity,” he said.

The deejay, whose given name is Rodney Price, explained that he plans to continue to build on the solid foundation he has established in the industry for over 25 years.

“I will continue to build on the legacy I have created by dropping my album King Of Kingston later this year and going numerous tours internationally. I also have several local shows coming up in the summer which includes (Reggae) Sumfest and Dream Weekend. You can expect them all,” he added.