Jamaica: Authorities extend most COVID-19 travel restrictions through June 30, ease curfew and some other domestic restrictions /update 27

Event

Authorities in Jamaica have extended most of the country's travel and domestic restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19 through June 30. However, they have eased some local measures and reduced the curfew hours.

Under the new directives, the nightly curfew will run as follows, until the morning of July 1:

Monday through Friday: 21:00-05:00
Saturdays: 20:00-05:00
Sundays: 14:00-05:00

Additionally, beaches and rivers may reopen, but no beach parties or games are allowed. Public gatherings will continue to be limited to a maximum of 10 people, but entities can hold events with up to 30 people. Burials are allowed Mondays to Fridays 09:00-16:00, with a maximum of 10 people attending; funeral services remain banned. Worship and marriage ceremonies can now have up to 50 people. Cinemas and theaters must remain closed, and concerts and parties remain banned.

Public employees will continue working from home, while private companies are encouraged to allow their employees to work from home whenever possible. People over the age of 60 are urged to remain at home. The use of facemasks in public settings, and requirements to maintain social distancing measures remain in place.

Travel Restrictions
Jamaican authorities have extended the ban on entry for passengers from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, India, and Trinidad and Tobago until June 30. The measure applies to all non-Jamaicans who have been in these countries within the last 14 days before their 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, fully vaccinated arriving passengers will be required to complete an eight-day self-quarantine, while unvaccinated passengers will continue to be required a 14-day self-quarantine; if they are considered low-risk they 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 complete the self-quarantine; if considered high-risk, they may be required to take an additional PCR or antigen test upon arrival.
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 eight days if fully vaccinated, or 14 days if not fully vaccinated, 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.