FOOD FOR MONTHS

In plea against panic, Clarke says three months’ supply of essentials in warehouses

THE LOCAL retail and distribution trade has given the assurance that it has up to three months’ supply of basic foods and other essentials in storage, the Jamaican Government has announced.

The declaration comes amid rising concern about the impact of the novel coronavirus, which has triggered a shutdown of Jamaica’s public-school system and other educational institutions and“panic-buying” of food and sanitising agents.

“There is no need to panic. Inventories remain strong,” said Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke, echoing the message the Holness administration sought to convey during separate Jamaica House press conferences yesterday.

The finance minister, who met with large players in manufacturing and distribution, also sought to calm nervous workers and business operators who he acknowledged have expressed concerns about liquidity in the economy. The central bank has informed the private sector that there are sufficient reserves in place and that it “stands ready to respond”, Clarke told journalists.

“The Bank of Jamaica has buffers for times exactly like this where they may need to step in if there are shocks to the system that would warrant their intervention,” he insisted.

SENSITIVE SECTORS

Clarke said the Government was “particularly sensitive” to the likely short-term impact on hotels, restaurants, and attraction businesses. “We are mindful of the fact that these sectors employ a lot of persons, and one of our main efforts will be to do whatever we can to keep employment at robust levels.”

Andrew Holness, the prime minister, announced that starting today, all early childhood institutions, primary and high schools, the HEART Trust/National Service Agency, and the HOPE training programme will be closed for 14 days “in the first instance”. Education State Minister Alando Terrelonge says teachers’ and community colleges will also be closed.

The closures will be reviewed after 10 days and a decision taken on whether they will be extended.

The shutdown has triggered a review of the schedule for the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) exams. Dr Grace McLean, permanent secretary in the education ministry, told journalists that the ministry has the capacity to postpone the assessment and to “make a determination later, depending on the number of days the students are going to be out”.

“We will assess after the next 14 days and based on what happens then, we will, or may, take a decision for the postponement of the assessments to take place in April,”McLean said.

“We are committed, however, to ensuring that whatever happens, that the students will get an opportunity to sit [the exam], and in