Ministry of Tourism

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Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (second right) addresses Wednesday's( July 1) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House. Beside him from left are: Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Jennifer Griffiths, Director General in the Office of the Prime Minister, Dr. Jean Dixon and Executive Director, Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), Ian Neita.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has said that the cases of H1N1 confirmed in Jamaica have not adversely affected the island as a travel destination.

"The destination has not been affected adversely by the incidents that we have announced. Part of that reason is that the pandemic, as the World Health Organisation (WHO) has indicated, has not taken the world to the point where travel restrictions have been imposed on any destination," he said.

Mr. Bartlett was speaking at the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday (July 1).

He noted that the inventory of pharmaceuticals to deal with the outbreak was very good and the overall management has improved, globally.

"In the case of Jamaica, we have done a marvelous job," he observed.

He commended the Ministry of Health's team for the tremendous work it has been doing to manage the spread, and to cultivate a feeling of comfort in the marketplace that Jamaica is a safe destination to visit. He also noted that there has been full collaboration between the Ministries of Health and Tourism on the outbreak.

More than 30 persons have been diagnosed with the disease in the island. The Ministry of Health has been carrying out interviews with individuals who have come in contact with infected persons, and has also taken samples from them.

The Government, on June 24, announced the setting up a multi-sectoral committee to handle issues related to the outbreak of the virus. The committee will comprise Chief Technical Officers in the Ministries of Health; Education; Agriculture and Fisheries; Tourism; and Information.

Persons are urged to take necessary precautions against influenza infection, including frequent hand washing, covering of mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, and avoiding contact with persons with flu-like symptoms.

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