Grand Market Jamaica, December 24, 2021

December 24, 2021 | By Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie |

It is a tradition on Jamaica W.I. for there to be a massive sales evening called “Grand Market”.  Due to the pandemic of the past two or so years, there was a restriction on gatherings internationally.  The government had relax those gatherings this Christmas, although still insisting on the strict observances of social distancing and the wearing of masks.  This has resulted in a significant drop off in virus infections.  Deaths and hospitalizations have also fallen to manageable levels.

Attached you will see a rare glimpse in pictures of how Grand Market at the eve of Christmas is celebrated in this Caribbean Island of (3) three million mixed raced people.

This is the famous Half-Way-Tree, near Kingston the capital city. It is a very busy shopping district. The streets are lined with vendors plying their wares.

It is in fact a grand Market in name and nature. It will close off at 1 AM Christmas morning.

This s is an extended curfew arrangement for Christmas.  All are happy at this plan.

Commentary

We hope it will turn out to be a super spreader for COVID-19. Masks are being worn.

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is a poet, elegist, author and senior international journalist who writes for Vision newspaper Canada.