Jamaica Gleaner

PM Holness sounds warning to unvaccinat­ed

- Gareth Davis Sr Sunday Gleaner Writer editorial@gleanerjm.com

EVENTUALLY, PROTECTION from COVID-19 will have to be a personal responsibi­lity, as the Government cannot continue the containmen­t protocols forever, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared.

“The Government cannot continue with t hese measures forever. We can’t keep locking down the country forever. We can’t keep the curfews forever. We can’t prevent people from gathering forever,” Holness told residents and health officials during a vaccinatio­n blitz in Port Maria, St Mary on Thursday.

Holness, who was on a tour of the parish to promote and sensitise residents about the importance of taking the COVID-19 vaccine, appeared to be sounding a warning to those refusing to take the vaccine and not adhering to protocols to contain the virus.

“At some point in time we have to remove the measures, and how you going to keep safe then? It becomes your personal responsibi­lity. Your responsibi­lity to wear your mask every day; your responsibi­lity to sanitise; your responsibi­lity to maintain an awareness of social distance and maintain your personal space; your responsibi­lity to take the vaccine, because I can’t keep locking down the country to protect you all the time,” he stressed.

“At some point in time we have to transition out of this pandemic and to be able to that, we need to be at least at a level of vaccinatio­n that can protect the vulnerable. Those people who preach free choice must know that they are not free of responsibi­lity. If yuh nuh wan teck the vaccine, a your business. I have a duty to fulfil and that is to go around to every nook and cranny and explain to the population about this vaccinatio­n.”

 ?? IAN ALLEN/PHOTOGRAPH­ER ?? Prime Minister Andrew Holness talking to residents and health officials at the St Mary Parish Church during a vaccinatio­n blitz in Port Maria, St Mary on Thursday.
IAN ALLEN/PHOTOGRAPH­ER Prime Minister Andrew Holness talking to residents and health officials at the St Mary Parish Church during a vaccinatio­n blitz in Port Maria, St Mary on Thursday.

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