“Wear your mask, sir. Sir, ensure that you’re wearing your mask,” said Deputy Superintendent Angela McIntosh Gayle as she instructed party supporters in Catherine Hall, St James.
McIntosh Gayle and members of the security forces manned the entrance to the Catherine Hall Primary School, the nomination centre for St James West Central where Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) incumbent Marlene Malahoo Forte and People’s National Party (PNP) Dr Andre Haughton registered as candidates for the constituency.
The media was not exempt from McIntosh Gayle’s stern instructions.
“Mr Media Man, sir, please wear your mask. We don’t want persons to be out here without their masks,” she said.
The deputy superintendent also took a no-nonsense approach to physical distancing, indicating that she would keep a close eye on the number of people gathered, telling supporters, “Please ensure that you don’t congregate. We have more than 20 so we will be moving persons”.
Jamaica has seen an increase in the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the last week. Sixteen new COVID-19 cases were announced on Monday, pushing the number of infections to 1,129. It is anticipated that the number will continue to rise as campaigning heightens for the September 3 general election.
The Electoral Commission of Jamaica implemented a number of COVID-19 safety measures for nomination day.
Only a limited number of persons were allowed inside nomination centres, in keeping with physical distancing protocols and all persons entering the nomination compound, including prospective candidates, their supporters, EOJ officials and the media were mandated to wear masks.
Temperature checks were also done on all people entering the location and hands sanitised.
