Gov’t halts overseas travel for public officials until March 2027

According to Jamaica Observer (General News), KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Government has imposed an immediate moratorium on official overseas travel across the public sector until March 31, 2027, as it moves to contain expenditure and redirect resources towards national recovery and reconstruction following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. The directive, outlined in a government memorandum, applies to Cabinet ministers, ministers of state, permanent secretaries, senior public officers, heads of government agencies, board members, chief executive officers and other public sector employees. The restriction will remain in effect for the remainder of the 2026/2027 financial year, subject to limited exceptions. According to the memorandum, the unprecedented destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa has placed significant pressure on Jamaica’s fiscal resources and public sector capacity, prompting the Government to prioritise expend