Minister of Education Fayval Williams has announced that mandatory mask-wearing in schools has been lifted.

Minister Williams noted that while the mandate on mask-wearing has been lifted, it is still recommended that students wear masks to educational institutions.

Mrs Williams also outlined that protocols to isolate students exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 will continue in schools.

This announcement comes after Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared in last Thursday’s sitting of the House of Representatives, that the Disaster Risk Management Act has been lifted.

This includes an end to nightly curfews, mandatory mask-wearing, mandatory protocol protection in the workplace along with lifting the ban on entertainment events.

Holness noted that while the Disaster Risk Management Act comes to an end, citizens must exercise vigilance and adhere to the remaining provisions which were outlined.

These include:

· Persons who test positive will be required to isolate.

· Laboratories will be required to protect the privacy and identity of persons testing for COVID-19.

· Persons will continue to be encouraged to wash their hands and sanitise.

· Masking wearing in enclosed spaces to which the public has access will be a requirement until April 15.

· Mask wearing will be recommended but not mandatory.

· COVID-19 testing three days before travel to Jamaica will continue until April 15.

· Physical distancing is recommended but not mandatory.

· Protection protocols in workplaces will be recommended but not mandated.