The Government of Jamaica has sanctioned some Jamaica Athletics Administrative Associations’ (JAAA) upcoming meets.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Desmond McKenzie, in a statement on Monday, said approval was granted to the JAAA to stage events, as proposals submitted by the body, meet the government’s guidelines.

According to McKenzie, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, while delivering a speech to the House of Parliament on February 9, had outlined the necessary steps that sporting bodies and organisers need to take, to get approval for their events.

He said that there is also an application from the Jamaica Karting Association to stage an event, which is being reviewed. He urged sporting bodies to follow the process and also wait until approval is given before staging events.

The minister stated that the government notes the unease among Jamaicans, who want life to return to normal, which the administration is trying to facilitate.

“As the minister responsible for the management of the Disaster Risk Management Act, I want to assure the public that every effort is being made to ensure that normal societal life can return, while ensuring that COVID-19 is effectively managed,”

McKenzie said.