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Omar Ryan, known advocate for St Thomas, believes that in order to keep the parish COVID-19 free, the Government should implement security checkpoints.

"I wouldn't mind if the Government could have checkpoints to check persons coming in and going out of the parish, especially those coming in," he said. "Have officers at the major points, one up in Harmony Hall for persons coming in from Portland, one by Hectors River, and Bull Bay as well."

As of yesterday, St Thomas was one of three parishes yet to record a COVID case. The other parishes are Hanover and Trelawny.

East St Thomas Member of Parliament, Dr Fenton Ferguson, speaking in the House of Representatives yesterday, said that since the lockdown in St Catherine, "There have been a number of persons moving into St Thomas". He said that public health personnel and police have been notified of the invasion of the parish.

In response, Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton said that no one has told him that people are fleeing to St Thomas. He said that it would be investigated.

Fled St Catherine

Meanwhile, Ryan is particularly concerned about the persons who have fled St Catherine on Tuesday night so as to avoid the lockdown put in place by the Government to control the COVID spread.

"Since last night, I have been hearing that persons are leaving from St Catherine, and they are all over the place. Who to tell that an infected person might not just be here in St Thomas because they are looking for place to stay," he said.

Ryan made local news back in 2017 after being locked up by the police for organising demonstrations in St Thomas to highlight the poor road conditions.

Being passionate about his parish and its residents, Ryan is urging persons to be vigilant and take the necessary precautions to keep out COVID.

"I think for those who traverse outside of the parish, the best thing for them to do is follow the measures in terms of social distancing and ensure that they take care of themselves," Ryan told THE STAR. "If persons find out that they are having any kind of symptoms, they must get themselves quarantined as well or check in with health professionals."

The community development activist also advised that persons should observe social distancing guidelines as that is the only way to conquer the deadly coronavirus.

"The best way to fight this virus is for persons to stay in their homes because I've been reading about the flu in 1918, which killed more than 40 million people, and it was really dealt with by persons staying inside," he said "The more people mingle are the more chances the virus will have to spread."

"I would want the place to remain COVID-free so that eventually, we can get back to normal life in the parish as soon as possible," he said