ANOTHER group of deportees from the United States (US) is slated to arrive in the island next week, adding more pressure on the Government which is already struggling to find quarantine facilities and money to house Jamaicans returning home amidst the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Jamaica Observer sources yesterday confirmed that the deportees, estimated at 40, are now being processed in the US in preparation for the flight, which historically has taken place on the last Thursday in each month, but could take place as early as next Tuesday.
“They will be housed in a Corporate Area hotel for 14 days as part of the standard quarantine process for persons re-entering the island, but it will not be the same one that was used for the set of deportees from the US last month,” added the source.
With the US numbers at scary proportions, Observer health sources yesterday expressed fear that the latest group of deportees could increase the number of imported COVID-19 cases in Jamaica and questioned the wisdom of continuing to accept them.
Before the arrival of the deportees last month Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang argued that Jamaica had no choice but to accept the Jamaicans being sent home from the US.