Jamaica: Authorities increase curfew hours, tighten business restrictions through Aug. 31 due to COVID-19 activity /update 30

Event

Authorities in Jamaica have issued orders to extend the nightly curfew and impose tighter restrictions on businesses Aug. 11-31, due to increases in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations. Travel restrictions remain unchanged.

Under the new directives, the nightly curfew will be one hour longer on weekdays, two hours on Saturdays, and one hour on Sundays as follows:

• 19:00-05:00 Mondays-Fridays

• 18:00-05:00 on Saturdays

• 14:00-05:00 on Sundays

Access to beaches will be allowed 06:00-16:00 Mondays-Saturdays and 06:00-13:00 on Sundays; access to rivers will be allowed only for rafting and domestic purposes. Weddings and religious ceremonies at churches are limited to 50 people, while funerals may hold up to 30 people. Entertainment events are banned, while nightclubs and other entertainment venues must remain closed. Gyms, restaurants, bars, and zoos may open at 50 percent capacity. Businesses are not required to close at a specific time, but authorities urge them to close one hour before the start of the nightly curfew.

Officials continue to encourage private companies to allow their employees to work from home whenever possible; public employees will continue working from home. Individuals not fully vaccinated and over the age of 60 should stay at home. The use of facemasks in public settings and requirements to maintain social distancing remain in place.

Travel Restrictions
A ban on entry for passengers from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, India, and Trinidad and Tobago remains in effect until at least Aug. 31. 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 within 14 days before 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 residents; all arriving passengers will be subject to strict health screenings and assessments. All travelers require pre-travel authorization up to seven days before their planned departure for Jamaica. Individuals 12 years and older must present a negative COVID-19 PCR, antigen, or other approved test taken up to 72 hours before travel. In most cases, fully vaccinated arrivals must complete an eight-day self-quarantine, while unvaccinated passengers must undergo a 14-day self-quarantine. If authorities consider them low-risk, these individuals can leave their homes once a day to go to the closest location to obtain food, medical supplies, or medical services or conduct financial transactions. Additionally, fully vaccinated individuals can further shorten their mandatory quarantine period by taking an approved PCR test after their arrival and obtaining a negative result. Other entry and quarantine requirements for travelers are:

• Citizens and legal residents: Travelers are required to complete 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 accommodations while awaiting the results. If the test is negative, they can end the quarantine, but only to obtain essential goods and conduct their business meetings. Otherwise, they must remain at their accommodations. 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 subject to testing upon arrival. In those cases, they must wait for the test result within their hotel rooms. If they test negative or are not subject to testing 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, and the southern coast from Milk River, Clarendon, to Negril.

• Nonresidents staying outside the Resilient Corridor: Travelers on non-business purposes and not staying in the Resilient Corridor must 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.

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)
Jamaica Information Service
Travel Guidelines
Traveler Authorization