KINGSTON, Jamaica— The public session of the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) annual conference is set for Sunday, November 20 at the National Arena and the police have issued advisories for attendees.

“No firearms, drugs, knives, ice picks, machetes, umbrellas (long ones), glass bottles or any other item that can be used to cause serious harm or injury, will be allowed inside the venue,” the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) said in a release on Saturday.

It added that licensed firearm holders should also make the necessary arrangements to ensure the safeguarding of their weapons.

“All persons entering the venue will be subjected to a search and no vending will be allowed outside of the designated areas,” the police stated.

As for motorists, the police warned that all provisions of the Road Traffic Act will be strictly enforced. The JCF said “the full force of the law” will be brought on anyone who is found in contravention of the law.

“Drivers are warned not to allow passengers to hang from the doors of motor buses, sit on top of motor vehicles, or have any part of the body protruding from the motor vehicles. Drivers are to ensure that they obey the speed limit and desist from dangerous and careless driving on the nation’s roads,” the police said.

There will also be some traffic changes on Sunday starting at 8:00 am to facilitate the smooth staging of the event.

The traffic changes are as follows:

– Before the event

• At 8:00 AM, Arthur Wint Drive will be one way heading towards the National Arena (easterly). Motorists travelling from this direction will turn left onto Roosevelt, right onto Stanton Terrace, right on Mountain View Ave, right onto Arthur Wint Drive and into the car park.

• Police check points will be set up at the intersection of Roosevelt Avenue and Stanton Terrace as well as at the intersection of Mountain View Avenue and Arthur Wint Drive. Only vehicles with VIP passes will be allowed to pass these check points and head towards the National Arena.

• There will be no through way along Arthur Wint Drive between gates E4 to the Bob Marley Statue at the intersection of Roosevelt Avenue. The area will be available to pedestrian traffic only.

• Residents travelling from Mountain View Avenue to the Lofts Apartments will be allowed to turn onto Arthur Wint Drive to access the apartment complex.

• Residents of Stadium Gardens will be able to leave and enter the community by using Arthur Wint Drive as a one-way easterly only.

There will also be road closures on the day of the event:

· Latham Avenue at the intersection with Old Hope Road will be closed to general vehicular traffic; only residents will be allowed access.

· Latham Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic at the junction with Roosevelt Avenue; only residents will be allowed access.

· Except for the JLP Leader and residents of the respective community all other vehicles travelling from Old Hope Road including those transporting delegates and supporters will be diverted along Stanton Terrace via Mountain View Avenue to access the KSAC Car Park.

• VIPs will enter through gates E1 and park at Arena North.

• Others will park in the general parking area which will be accessed via Gates E4 and E5 and the KSAC Car Park across from the Stadium Car Park.

• No parking is allowed along Arthur Wint Drive, Roosevelt Avenue, Stanton Terrace and Mountain View Avenue. Vehicles found in contravention with these changes will be towed. Motorists will be asked to position their vehicles facing the direction where the traffic will flow after the event to assist with traffic flow.

– After the event

· From gate E4 towards Tom Redcam Ave, Arthur Wint Drive will be one-way westerly. Roosevelt Ave will operate as normal.

· From gate E5 towards Mountain View Ave, Arthur Wint Drive will be one-way easterly.

· Motorists travelling on North Avenue and Central Avenue towards Arthur Wint Drive will only be allowed to turn right onto Arthur Wint Drive. Emergency vehicles will use these roads to access the Bustamante Hospital for Children.

· Latham Ave will be one way north-westerly towards Old Hope Road.

· For about 45 minutes after the event, residents of Stadium Gardens will be able to exit the community by turning left onto Arthur Wint Drive but will not be able to enter or re-enter the community.