Executive Director of the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), Dr Andrew Spencer, says sensitisation sessions for the COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols that will be implemented for the reopening of the tourism sector have begun.

He further explained that going forward, the sessions will be held both virtually, via Microsoft Teams, and face-to-face at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, beginning at 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., and the Ocho Rios Cruise Pier, at 10:00 a.m.

Spencer told JIS News that a combination of face-to-face and virtual meetings will ensure a greater reach among its stakeholders, noting that sensitisation and training will cover all the areas listed in the protocols document, including accommodation, attractions, water sports, craft shops, shopping, cruise ports, airports, contract carriage, restaurants and bars.

On Tuesday, the sessions targeted workers within hotels; on Wednesday, villas and guest houses; Thursday, transportation – tours, car rental, contract carriage and operators; on Friday, craft traders/shops, and on Monday, June 15, attractions –beaches and water sports.

“All of the sessions at the Montego Bay Convention Centre will be streamed live on Microsoft Teams.

For the face-to-face sessions, we are ensuring that we maintain the physical distance – that there is six feet between participants,” Spencer explained.