SINGING THE praises of airport staff and health officials after emerging from the arrival halls of the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday, Norma Kelly returned to Jamaica with a new lease on life and a sense of liberation.

With the borders reopening on June 1 for all Jamaicans who wish to return home, approximately 60 public-health officials, along with the security forces, have been deployed to assist with the processing of incoming nationals and the collection of samples.

Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton and his team did a walk-through of the airport, visiting various stations and assessing inter-agent coordination.

During the period June 1-14, all persons entering the country will be subject to coronavirus testing, except for those entering from designated ‘travel bubble’ countries – nations with management and profile results for COVID-19 similar to Jamaica’s regarding spread, death rate, infection prevention, among other protocols.

In the meantime, the health ministry said that more than 1,000 community health aides across the country were being employed, as the COVID-19 response would require additional personnel.