With Jamaica set to lift another restriction on movement designed to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton is reminding the population that everyone has a role to play in mitigating the risks associated with that decision.

Yesterday, Dr Tufton said while public health officials accept the economic need to have the restriction lifted, Jamaicans must be reminded that the health risks are real.

With every action there are associated risks, and those risks must be accounted for and factored in as we prepare to move back to normality, and normality has to be interpreted in a way that is going to account for adjustments, changes, people taking personal responsibility, and recognising that they have a role to play, and at the same time preparing the health system to deal with the likely consequences of those risks manifesting themselves in new cases,” Dr Tufton said.

He said one the biggest concerns for public health officials now is the possibility of vulnerable communities — the elderly, people with underlying health conditions, infirmary and nursing home patients, and residents of poor communities who lack basic amenities like water — being impacted by the likely spread of the virus.

“But if we let down our guard and are careless or complacent in our lifestyle, the truth is the virus can spread and could possibly become overwhelming and could impact the public health system's capacity to respond, and I dread the thought of people wanting a bed or a ventilator and can't get them, because that would mean people would die.