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MP Julian Robinson
The People's National Party is questioning whether the Government's sudden ban on official overseas travel is a genuine effort to control costs or simply a public relations exercise, coming immediately after millions of dollars were committed to the newly established NARA.
The moratorium, outlined in a Government memorandum, takes immediate effect and runs until March 31, 2027. It covers Cabinet ministers, permanent secretaries, heads of agencies, board members and public sector employees, and applies even where travel is fully funded by external organisations. The Government cites the fiscal strain caused by Hurricane Melissa, however the ban noticeably states;”Overseas travel may only be permitted for post-Melissa reconstruction…” as one of the areas not excluded by the travel ban.
"I think this ban raises more questions than answers as to whether this is really going to be an effective way to control costs," said Julian Robinson, MP, Opposition Spokesperson on Finance. "It comes immediately after NARA, where we are seeing millions of dollars being spent on office space and on a structure that is top heavy in terms of salaries. So I just wonder whether this is more performative, more from a public relations perspective."
Mr Robinson accepts that overseas travel must be managed carefully. However, the Government has not disclosed how much it expects to save, what exceptions will apply, or why externally sponsored trips, which cost taxpayers nothing, are being blocked at a time when Jamaica needs international partners to support its recovery.
For Jamaicans still rebuilding homes, farms and businesses after Hurricane Melissa, every dollar matters. Genuine fiscal discipline must begin with the largest areas of spending, not the most visible ones.
The Opposition calls on the Government to publish the projected savings from this ban alongside a full accounting of expenditure at NARA, so that the public can judge for itself whether this measure is substance or spin.
Audio - Julian Robinson
Editor's Note
Press releases are not edited.
In commenting on the government's press release, I said that it should remain an internal memo and a short press release sent out about the matter. We now end up majoring in the minor.
I am still confused. Is it a travel ban or a travel restriction? Why you would you not allow travel funding by external sources?
There are far more important issues to discuss, and plans need to be put in place to improve the lives of our people.
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You can view the blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.
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The Government has instituted an immediate moratorium on non-essential official overseas travel across the public sector until March 31, 2027. The measure is among the first in a broader series of actions to strengthen expenditure discipline, improve efficiency and accelerate the delivery of national priorities.
Prime Minister Dr the Most Honourable Andrew Holness advised Government Ministers of the moratorium on Thursday, October 22, 2026, while Cabinet Secretary Audrey Sewell issued corresponding instructions to Permanent Secretaries.
The Prime Minister will outline the broader context and direction of the Government’s approach at a press briefing on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, on the eve of the first anniversary of Hurricane Melissa.
The Government recognises the continuing hardship facing those who remain without secure homes and roofs, have lost their livelihoods or are struggling to send their children to school. Helping these families regain stability and rebuild their lives remains an urgent priority, requiring faster and more responsive delivery of assistance.
The Prime Minister has consistently emphasised the need for greater efficiency, faster decision-making and stronger execution throughout government. He has also expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of aspects of the recovery, particularly the restoration of homes and roofs, and has called for greater urgency in translating approved programmes and expenditure into tangible improvements in people’s lives.
The moratorium builds on the travel quota system introduced by the Prime Minister for Ministers two years ago. It strengthens those controls and extends the focus on prudent expenditure and productive use of official time across the public sector. The measure forms part of a wider effort to improve the speed, agility and responsiveness of government, address administrative bottlenecks and strengthen accountability for results.
Jamaica’s experience of successive shocks, including the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricanes Beryl and Melissa, has reinforced the importance of preserving economic stability while strengthening the country’s capacity to recover and grow. Continuing recovery needs are now being compounded by a challenging geopolitical and geoeconomic environment, with high global energy prices and drought conditions locally adding to inflationary pressures and placing further strain on households and businesses.
These circumstances require carefully targeted, counter-cyclical measures to stimulate economic activity, restore productive capacity and support employment. The Government must therefore manage expenditure strategically, counterbalancing increased spending on recovery and growth with savings and tighter controls elsewhere so that the fiscal deficit remains under control.
The travel moratorium is one practical step in this wider approach. Alongside controlling expenditure, it will help concentrate the time and attention of public sector leaders on recovery, implementation and essential services.
The moratorium applies across ministries, departments, agencies and public bodies, including political officeholders, board members, executives and employees travelling in an official capacity. It also covers travel financed by external organisations or sponsors, recognising that official time and administrative capacity are valuable public resources.
Exceptions are limited to:
The Government recognises that overseas travel is often necessary to secure financing, attract investment, maintain international partnerships and advance recovery and growth. The exceptions have therefore been carefully crafted to ensure that these priorities can continue to be pursued through essential international engagements while maintaining scrutiny of the necessity, cost and expected benefits of travel.
Editor's Note
This is an internal memo for the public sector. This is not a ban, as some sectors claim. It is a restriction on travel.
The details are not necessary for public consumption. This makes the press release too long. Probably only Bark Di Trute will publish the complete press release.
The question is why travel if it is not essential. This policy should be in place since independence.
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Keep abreast of the news and information in the world. Bark Di Trute, a Jamaican blog, is packed with accurate information. Click the following link and get information at your fingertips. WhatsApp link is: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C9bkP96JIN2JgHiuktY3Jj,
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Without your support, Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.
You can view the blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.
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One has to be careful when one gets information from some sources. Michael Spence sent me the following incorrect information, and he added the correct information.
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| Michael Spence |
For Andrew Holness specifically—NO visa blockade, NO imminent arrests.
PM Holness has a valid US visa, traveled to US this year. Not on any revoked list.
In June, Nationwide News claimed the US threatened to revoke visas of ordinary Jamaicans (not Holness) to pressure Jamaica to sign a Third Country Nationals deal.
Holness said, "Absolutely not!" His hands were not forced. That's about regular citizens, not him. The US Embassy never listed him.
No criminal charges. Integrity Commission investigated two separate matters:
In Oct 2024- 2026, fake news circulated that FID was charging the prime minister under the Proceeds of Crime Act. FID itself dismissed it as "false, baseless, and malicious" — such a ruling was never made.
What is true now:
The only active travel restriction on Holness is his OWN government's memo dated October 21 — he banned himself and all ministers from official overseas travel till March 31, 2027, to save money after Hurricane Melissa ($9.9B damage).
A lot of what is on YouTube, street talk or TikTok is clickbait.
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Keep abreast of the news and information in the world. Bark Di Trute, a Jamaican blog, is packed with accurate information. Click the following link and get information at your fingertips. WhatsApp link is: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C9bkP96JIN2JgHiuktY3Jj,
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Without your support, Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.
You can view the blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.
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The Ministry of Health & Wellness is advising members of the public that the Influenza (Flu) vaccine is now available free of cost at health centres across the island.
The Flu is an acute viral infection that spreads easily from person to person, mainly by coughing, sneezing and through close contact. It is to be noted that the virus circulates worldwide and can affect anybody in any age group with varied symptoms including fever/chills, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, cough, headache, and runny or stuffy nose.
Acting Director of Family Health at the Ministry, Dr. Julia Rowe-Porter has cautioned that “Children and the elderly are at high-risk, and the flu is to be taken seriously, as it can lead to pneumonia and blood infections, and cause diarrhoea and seizures in children. The flu can also worsen chronic medical conditions such as heart or lung disease.”
The vaccine is offered in the public healthcare system to high-priority groups, including healthcare workers; children and the elderly with chronic illnesses; pregnant women; individuals who are institutionalised or in state care; and non-health frontline workers.
Every year, Influenza activity in Jamaica often begins to increase in October to November, peaks between December to March, and can last as late as May.
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Keep abreast of the news and information in the world. Bark Di Trute, a Jamaican blog, is packed with accurate information. Click the following link and get information at your fingertips. WhatsApp link is: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C9bkP96JIN2JgHiuktY3Jj,
_________________
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Without your support, Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.
You can view the blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.
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