Anti-vaccine protesters demonstrate in Mandeville

Members of the entertainment industry in Mandeville, Manchester, yesterday protested along main street, calling the enforced curfew restrictions and vaccination programme a farce.

"We are here to take a stand and to let people know that it is not adding up. The curfew is not working. It's been a year and odd now and it's the same tactic expecting the same result. It is ridiculous," said Sean 'DJ Kentucky' Stewart. He opined that Jamaica was not ready for the vaccine.

"Every single person, apart from the elites ... you have thousands if not millions right now for the past year not making any money right now ... ," he said.

Stewart claimed that the Government is not being truthful and said that he would continue to protest across Jamaica. Paul 'Max Villain' Bailey, a promoter, said Prime Minister Andrew Holness is out of touch with what is happening in the streets.

"From March 14, 2020, them implement curfew and it is not working," he said. Bailey chided the Government for reopening the borders and stated that the country should have been allowed to sustain itself. "Make we grow what we eat and eat what we grow. Jamaica would be a better place but you nah listen," he said.

Acting medical officer of heath for Manchester, Dr Shonette Blair-Walters, said the measures enforced by the health ministry are designed to reduce the spread of the virus and each individual should adhere to them.

"Vaccination at this time is not mandatory for COVID-19 so each person has to choose. But the ministry of health is recommending that once your category is called for vaccination that we encourage as many persons as possible to be vaccinated. It is one way in which we can prevent persons having a more severe form of the illness and reduce deaths from COVID-19," she said.