Carnival in Jamaica has been postponed to October. The decision revealed on Friday morning follows news that the island has recorded six new cases of coronavirus including two who were in contact with the first patient who was a case imported from the United kingdom.

The Carnival road parade originally scheduled for Sunday, April 19 has been moved to Sunday, October 25.

The government has shut down all educational institutions- including daycare centres- on the island for the next 14 days with a promise to update the public after ten days.

Meantime, Jamaica’s Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) issued a statement asking consumers to avoid panic buying and urged suppliers to stop the excessive pricing on cleaning products.

“Do not panic buy and purchase more than you need. When you do, this affects how much product is in circulation and can possibly put us all in vulnerable positions because you may have but your neighbour does not and this could possibly mean that you can become infected,” said Dolsie Allen, CAC chief executive officer.