COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Jamaica (9 October Update)

Airline Restrictions

• Airlines can resume scheduled operations. All flights will need a landing permit 72-hours before their arrival. Travellers currently require authorization before boarding the flight.

Border Restrictions

• Jamaica’s borders are open to international tourists. Arrivals are subject to medical screening and quarantine. Travellers (both residents or foreign tourists) must complete a Travel Authorization form before they arrive in Jamaica. The travel authorization can be obtained at https://jamcovid19.moh.gov.jm/immigration.html. Entry requirements will be based on the traveller’s assignment to one of four possible categories:

• Jamaican nationals and non-nationals ordinarily residing in Jamaica (residents)

• Residents may be subject to testing if it is determined that they are at high risk. All residents (tested or not) must remain in quarantine at home for 14 days from their date of entry to Jamaica. If they are found to have a positive test result, they will be required to quarantine at a government-designated facility.

• Non-residents visiting Jamaica for tourism purposes and staying within the “resilient corridor”

• If the travellers are residents of locations designated as high risk by Jamaican health authorities, they will be tested. If a traveller exhibits symptoms and is in a high-risk group regardless of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test certificate, they will be re-tested and await their test results in their hotel room.

• If the test is negative, the arriving traveller will remain at their hotel/resort within the “resilient corridor” under the “stay in the zone” measure. They will be allowed to leave the hotel/resort to visit select attractions within the resilient corridor via Jamaica Tourist Board licensed transportation providers.

• If the test is positive, the arrival will be isolated either in a government facility or at the hotel/resort as determined by the health authorities.

• Those travellers who are not required to be tested on arrival will be allowed to go to their hotel/resort.

• Non-residents visiting Jamaica on business

• Non-resident business travellers must have a COVID-19 RT-PCR test performed at the airport. Business purposes do not include weddings and funerals or other personal activities. Travellers will wait for test results under quarantine at their hotel or intended address.

• If the test is negative, the traveller will be released from quarantine and will be under a “stay at the intended address for business travellers” measure for 14 days from the date of entry to the country or for the duration of stay if shorter than 14 days.

• If the traveller’s test is positive, they will be isolated either in a government facility or at their hotel/intended address as determined by the health authorities.

• Non-residents visiting Jamaica for other purposes including tourists not staying within the “resilient corridor”

• These travellers may be required to obtain a COVID-19 RT-PCR test within ten days prior to their intended date of travel to Jamaica. If they are not required to pre-test, they may be required to be tested at the airport or other designated facility, if assessed by the health authorities as high-risk based on health screening and risk assessment on arrival. They will quarantine at their hotel/intended address until their test results are available.

Pre-testing requirement for visitors from high-risk locations

• Non-residents visiting Jamaica (other than business travellers) aged 12 and over who are residents of locations designated as high-risk by the Jamaican health authorities will be required to obtain a COVID-19 RT-PCR test within ten days prior to their intended date of travel to Jamaica. When completing the application to enter Jamaica, all persons coming from the designated high-risk locations are required to upload their COVID-19 RT-PCR test certificate as part of this application process.

• Currently, the Jamaican health authorities designated the states of Arizona, Florida, New York, and Texas in the United States, Brazil, Dominican Republic, and Mexico as high-risk locations. The test should be performed at a medical laboratory that is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP). This list of high-risk states is subject to ongoing reassessment and may change. The pre-testing requirement will not apply to travellers who are not residents of these high-risk locations.

Curfew Restrictions

• A nightly islandwide curfew is in effect until 18 October from 20:00 to 05:00 (local time).

• Night curfew hours on 18-20 October (Heroes weekend) will be from 15:00 on 18 October, until 08:00 on 19 October. The curfew will resume on 19 October at 15:00 and will end at 05:00 on 20 October.

• Curfew hours will be relaxed from 20 October until 1 November from 21:00 until 05:00 (local time).

• Until 20 October, Whitfield Town in Kingston (St. Andrew Parish) and Waterford in Portmore (St. Catherine Parish) are under tight curfew measure from 18:00 until 05:00 (local time). Only essential activities are allowed with proper identification. Gatherings are allowed to a maximum of six people from 7-19 October.

Social Distancing Restrictions

• Face-masks and physical distancing of at least 2 meters are mandatory in public places.

• A maximum of 15 people can gather until 31 October.

• Beaches are open from 06:00 to 18:00 (local time). Rivers are open from 06:00 to 20:00.

• Working hours for the public are from 08:00 to 16:00.

• Fuel stations are currently operating from 06:00 to 18:00.

• Supermarkets, corner shops, and pharmacies are open up to 17:00.

• General markets will remain open on all days from 06:00 to 19:00 except Sunday.

• Theme parks and zoos are permitted to remain open between 10:00-16:00.

• Parks are open from 06:00-20:00.

• Citizens, more than 65 years of age, are required to stay in self-quarantine.

• Churches are open. The ban on funerals, parties, and other events will continue, burials will continue to be allowed with strict observation and enforcement of the 15-person rule.

• All schools and educational institutions are open.

• All water sports and amusement parks are closed.

• Most non-essential venues, businesses, and services such as salons, nightclubs, and riverfront will remain closed until further notice.

Transportation Restrictions

• Taxi operators should carry one person less than the maximum number of persons permitted to be carried under the relevant licence.

Sfaturi

The COVID-19 epidemic is changing constantly worldwide. This information is subject to change as the situation evolves. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Some countries are beginning to remove some restrictions gradually. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country’s embassy for information on your specific travel plans. Wearing a mask (face covering) is recommended in public places and when social distancing is not possible. Wearing a mask (face covering) is recommended in public places and when social distancing is not possible.