Jamaica: Authorities ease domestic COVID-19-related measures Feb. 25 /update 41

Event

Officials in Jamaica plan to ease several domestic COVID-19-related measures as of Feb. 25 and to remove some travel requirements effective March 1. The new measures will be in place until at least March 17.

The nightly curfew has been shortened by one hour and is now in place 00:01-05:00. Additionally, authorities have eased capacity restrictions: up to 100 people are now allowed to attend funerals, weddings, events hosted by public-sector entities, and private company meetings. Effective March 1, travel authorization will no longer be required to enter Jamaica. Other measures remain unchanged.

Domestic Measures
Other than the aforementioned restrictions, public gatherings remain limited to 10 people. Some businesses, such as restaurants, bars, and gyms, can operate continue operating at up to 50 percent capacity. Authorities will also release plans in early March to allow mass entertainment events under certain circumstances; however, details of the plans have not been confirmed.

International Travel Restrictions
Under the current rules, arrivals must obtain travel authorization before their planned travel to Jamaica. However, effective March 1, this requirement will be removed. Unvaccinated individuals ages 12 and older are required to present a negative result from an approved COVID-19 test (e.g., PCR) taken no more than three days before the date of travel. Fully vaccinated travelers arriving with a negative result from a PCR test taken within three days before departure are not required to quarantine. Other requirements depend on the status of each traveler.

• Jamaican citizens or residents, as well as tourists not staying at a "Resilient Corridor" accommodation, must quarantine for 14 days if unvaccinated. If fully vaccinated but arriving without a negative result from a PCR test taken within three days before departure to Jamaica, such persons must quarantine for eight days but may end the quarantine period early following receipt of a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken after arrival.

• Nonresident tourists staying at a "Resilient Corridor" accommodation who are fully vaccinated are not required to remain in the corridor if presenting a negative PCR test result before departure for Jamaica. Fully vaccinated travelers who do not present a negative PCR test result before traveling to the country are limited to movement within the corridor until they take a PCR test in Jamaica and receive a negative result.

• Nonresidents traveling for business purposes who are fully vaccinated and do not present a negative result from a PCR test taken within three days before departure to Jamaica must quarantine until they receive a negative result from a PCR test taken upon arrival. Individuals who are unvaccinated but have received a negative PCR test result either before travel or upon arrival are only permitted to leave their hotel for essential purposes (e.g., conducting business meetings, financial transactions, obtaining food and medicine) once per day.

Arriving travelers may be subject to medical screening on arrival. For more details on entry and quarantine requirements, click here.

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
Travel Authorization