Are curfews still needed?

THE EDITOR, Madam:

ONCE MORE, I ask the important question, what is/are the reason(s) for the current nationwide curfews, when the most important protocols towards preventing the spread of COVID-19 are currently being adhered to by the majority of Jamaicans?

Supermarkets, mini-marts, pharmacies, restaurants, bill-payment outlets, banks, fast-food restaurants, hospitals, etc, do not allow members of the public to patronise their entities without wearing masks; hand sanitiser is applied to customers/visitors before they are allowed to enter; temperature is also being checked; social-distancing markers and regulations have also been implemented at those establishments.

Therefore, if all the aforementioned measures are been taken between the non-curfew hours of 5 a.m. and 9 p.m., then what difference does it make to end the current COVID-19related curfews and return to the free public movement of persons? Also, businesses that normally open beyond 9 p.m. should no longer be prevented from doing so, once they are in compliance with the protocols required by the Government.

While we appreciate that the prime minister’s actions, to date, in relation to COVID-19, have been in the best interest of our nation, I no longer see why the curfews are still necessary.

This is actually negatively affecting the revenues and profit margins of many small, medium and large businesses and, in particular, privatesector ones, which, in turn, negatively affects government revenues.

Last, the issue of curfews is highly important, because they directly infringe upon the constitutional rights of our people and so, when employed, they must be able to stand up to the highest degree of scrutiny.