2022 Ceremonial Opening of Parliament, COVID-19 Protocols Observed

The 2022/2023 parliamentary year begins on Thursday, February 10, 2022, however, due to COVID-19, the Ceremonial Opening of the Parliament is without its usual crowd and supporters.

This year’s theme: Building our Jamaica.

Outlining the government’s plan for the upcoming year, the Governor-General of Jamaica, Sir Patrick Linton Allen in his throne speech said NIDS is not fully underway.

Also in his speech, the Governor-General shared that the Government is pressing ahead with the development of new and revised legislation(S), to include: The Firearms (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 2022, the review of the Corrections Act, Development of Enhanced Security Measures Bill, the Development of Security Personnel Integrity Bill, the Development of a National Intelligence and Security Bill.

To mark the 60th year of Independence, the government will commence the largest healthcare infrastructure development. The jointly funded plan by the European Union and the Inter -American Development Bank, will see upgrades in 13 healthcare facilities. Three hospitals and 10 health centers- The Spanish Town, St Anns Bay, and May Pen Hospitals will be upgraded. The health centers to be upgraded are: Greater Portmore, St Jago Park Health Center (SERHA), Old Harbour Health Centre, St Anns Bay, Ocho Rios, Brownstown, May Pen East, West, Moco Health Centers, and the Chapelton Community Hospital

This story will be updated subsequent to our newscast