Jamaica: Authorities to modify weekend curfew hours through June 3 due to COVID-19 activity /update 26

Event

Authorities in Jamaica have issued orders to extend and modify the nightly curfew hours on weekends through June 3, to curb the spread of COVID-19, while maintaining most other domestic restrictions unchanged. Additionally, officials lifted a ban on flights entering from the UK, but have banned flights from India and Trinidad and Tobago, and maintain a similar suspension on flights to and from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Paraguay, and Peru until at least June 3.

Under the new directives, the nightly curfew on Saturdays will begin one hour later than previously established, while on Sundays it will remain unchanged; there will also be a 24-hour curfew May 24 due to the national holiday of Labor Day. The nightly curfew will run as follows until the morning of June 3:

Monday through Friday: 20:00-05:00
Saturdays: 18:00-05:00
Sundays: 14:00-05:00
Monday May 24: 24-hour curfew

Gatherings in public of over 10 people are prohibited; however, public entities are now allowed to hold larger events as long as the use of facemasks and social distancing measures are in place.

Other restrictions remain unchanged:

Markets, public arcades, and public transport centers must close one hour before the curfew takes effect.
Indoor cinemas, theaters, and other cultural centers are to stay closed.
Burials are subject to strict protocols, and funerals remain banned.
Persons aged 60 and over are urged to self-isolate.
Individuals must continue to maintain at least 1.8 meters (6 feet) between each other and must wear a facemask in public spaces.
Public transport may start operating one hour before the curfew ends each morning and may continue until one hour after the curfew begins each evening to facilitate passenger pick-up/drop-off.
Taxis and other transport operators can carry one person fewer than that allowed under their license.
Parties and other events remain banned.

Travel Restrictions
The suspension of flights between Jamaica and the UK has been lifted. However, authorities have banned flights from India and Trinidad and Tobago, and maintain the suspension of flights from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Paraguay, and Peru until at least June 3. The travel bans are in response to the spread of new strains of COVID-19 in those countries. The orders apply to all non-Jamaicans who have been in these countries within the last 14 days before the intended arrival in Jamaica. Jamaican nationals who have been in the affected countries 14 days prior to arrival will be tested at the airport and placed in a state quarantine facility for a minimum of 48 hours. Persons who test negative will complete the remainder of their 14-day quarantine at home, while those who test positive will be placed in a state isolation facility until they have recovered.

Except for travel from the six South American countries, India, and Trinidad and Tobago, all ports of entry are open to nonresident foreign travelers, citizens, and legal citizens; all arriving passengers will be subject to strict health screenings and assessments. All travelers require authorization prior to travel, requested up to seven days before the planned departure, and individuals 12 years and older must present a negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR), antigen, or other approved test taken up to 72 hours before travel. In most cases, arriving passengers will be required to complete a 14-day self-quarantine but will be permitted to leave their home once a day to go to the closest location to obtain food, medical supplies, or medical services and conduct financial transactions. Other entry and quarantine requirements for travelers are:

Citizens and legal residents: Travelers are required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival, regardless of a negative COVID-19 test result.
Nonresident business travelers: Individuals traveling for business purposes will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival, and must self-quarantine at their accommodation while awaiting the results. If the test is negative, they will be allowed to end the quarantine, but only to obtain essential goods and to conduct their business meetings. Otherwise, they must remain at their place of accommodation. If the test is positive, they must continue to isolate.
Nonresidents staying in the Resilient Corridor: Travelers for tourism purposes staying at approved locations in the Resilient Corridor, may be tested upon arrival. In those cases they must wait the result of the test within their hotel room. If they test negative, or if they are not retested upon arrival, they may leave their hotel room and resort, provided they remain in the Resilient Corridor. This area includes the northern coast from Negril, Westmoreland, to Port Antonio, Portland, as well as the southern coast from Milk River, Clarendon, to Negril.
Nonresidents staying outside the Resilient Corridor: Travelers for all non-business purposes not staying in the Resilient Corridor are required to self-quarantine for 14 days, regardless of a negative COVID-19 test result.

All travelers assessed to be high risk may be subject to additional health tests at the airport. Travelers with a positive COVID-19 test result will be required to isolate at home or an approved government facility for 14 days.

Authorities could further tighten, extend, ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance.