KINGSTON, Jamaica—Minister for Education, Skills, Youth and Information Senator Dana Morris Dixon says Christmas parties for government entities have been cancelled in the wake of the devastation to sections of the island by Hurricane Melissa.

Morris Dixon gave the update during Wednesday’s post-Cabinet press briefing.

“Christmas parties for government entities are off for this year. We will not be having Christmas parties. We have agreed to allow small in ministry or in department recognition or moral building activities so, if you are doing something in the office, it’s fine, but no rental of external venues is allowed,” Dixon outlined.

She however encouraged ministries, departments and agencies to conduct outreach activities with members of their team that have been affected by Hurricane Melissa.

Additionally, Dixon also encouraged members of the private sector to continue lending support to affected persons.

“We are definitely encouraging the private sector to continue doing what they are doing. We’ve had reports of many hotels saying that they are seeing cancellations from private sector entities. We really do need to kind of make up for what is happening in the west in terms of the downturn in economic activity so those of us in areas that havent been affected as much please go out and spend money. The economy needs it, but, at the same time, spend time doing outreach in the affected areas,” she added.

(Video: Llewellyn Wynter)