Parliament has voted to extend the States of Emergency across the country for another 30 days.
Initially the security ministry had sought to extend the measures by 90 days, but the Opposition refused to support the three month extension and the motions were withdrawn.
St. Andrew South, St. James, Hanover, Westmoreland, St. Catherine and Clarendon are all under SOEs.
Speaking in Parliament prior to the approval of the 30 day extension, Minister of National Security Dr. Horace Chang said the enhanced security measures were still necessary, as progress has been made, but there is still work to be done.
The Minister said the special powers are necessary to contain murders and to begin the process of transforming communities.
