Cabinet briefing outlines Hurricane Melissa spending, Ebola precautions and NHF cyber threat

Government ministers used Wednesday’s post-Cabinet press briefing on June 10, 2026, to detail how public funds have been directed after Hurricane Melissa, while also addressing customs cash rules, Ebola monitoring, labour support payments and a reported cyber threat at the National Health Fund.

Finance Minister Fayval Williams said social media claims that travellers cannot enter Jamaica with more than J$100,000 were wrong. She said people must declare US$10,000 or its equivalent on the Enter Jamaica form, while the J$100,000 figure relates to a law-enforcement threshold. Williams also broke down $67 billion in Melissa-related allocations, including support for tourism, infrastructure, water, education, health, agriculture, local government and a $24-billion loan to Jamaica Public Service. She said pension investment reforms will move private asset limits from five per cent to 7.5 per cent on July 1, 2026, with a 10 per cent target for April 1, 2027, subject to review.

Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton said the health system treated thousands of patients after Melissa damaged hospitals and more than 100 health centres. He reported 604 international medical personnel, more than 500 local health workers deployed in affected areas, 96 rescues, over 8,900 persons seen at emergency posts, and $3.82 billion spent on repairs. He said Jamaica has no Ebola cases, although nine travellers with links to affected countries were placed in mandatory self-quarantine and had shown no symptoms. More than 1,100 port, immigration and health personnel have been sensitised.

Tufton also confirmed that the NHF received a threat from a hacker group claiming access to some data, and said the matter had been reported to the Office of the Information Commissioner and MOCA.

Labour Minister Pearnel Charles Jr announced the launch of the Humanitarian Assistance Relief Platform to validate outstanding Hurricane Melissa roof-assistance cases. He said the ministry has spent just over $10 billion, including $9.5 billion on the roof programme and $152 million in UNICEF-supported grants for PATH households and persons with disabilities.