Jamaica: Authorities extend COVID-19-related 2000-0500 curfew through March 23 and amend entry requirements /update 22

Event

Prime Minister Andre Holness announced that the nightly 2000-0500 nationwide curfew and other tightened domestic restrictions will be extended until March 23. Additionally, the travel ban imposed on persons from the UK has been extended until March 15, and effective March 4, new COVID-19 testing requirements will take effect for all international travelers. These measures in response to continuing COVID-19 activity. New and continued restrictions are:

Domestic Measures
New restrictions that take effect March 1 include the closure of public beaches and rivers until March 22; bars, parks, zoos, and attractions must close by 1800 during this period. From March 4, a strict work from home policy will be enforced in the public sector, and from March 8, all funerals and burials will be prohibited.

All other previously existing internal restrictions will remain in place. 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 it 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. Group gatherings are limited to a maximum of 10 people. Parties and other events remain banned; weddings are allowed with up 25 people in attendance.

Travel Restrictions
Authorities have amended the current international traveler entry regime in place through at least April. Effective March 4, all arrivals, including nationals and legal residents, will be required to present a negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken up to 72 hours before travel. Officials have also extended the ban on travel to and from the UK through March 22. The travel ban was imposed Dec. 23 in response to the spread of a new strain of COVID-19 in the UK. The order applies to all non-Jamaicans who have been in the UK within the last 14 days before the intended arrival in Jamaica. Jamaican nationals who have been in the UK 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. The measures are in addition to other COVID-19-related travel protocols and internal measures that will remain in place through April.

Except for travel from the UK, all ports of entry are open to nonresident foreign travelers, citizens, and legal citizens, and all arriving passengers will be subject to strict health screenings and assessments. All travelers require authorization prior to travel, requested up to five days before planned departure. 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:

• Travel from high-risk locations: All nonresident foreign travelers over the age of 12 arriving from the US, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Panama, and Mexico must present a negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or antigen test upon arrival; the test must be taken no more than 10 days before travel from an accredited laboratory. All travelers from these locations are required to self-quarantine for 14 days, regardless of a negative COVID-19 test result.

• 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: Travelers will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival and must self-quarantine for 14 days, or until a negative test result is confirmed, if the stay is shorter than 14 days.

• Nonresidents staying in the Resilient Corridor: Travelers for tourism purposes 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 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, reimpose, 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
Traveler Authorization