Latest Tourism Advice For American Travelers Heading To Jamaica
Jamaica was one of the first destinations to reopen to travelers in 2020 and is among some of the most accessible places for Americans in 2021. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Caribbean island country was forced to put a hold on what would likely have been a record-breaking year for tourism. However, in the months since strict protocols were launched to keep both locals and visitors safe, Jamaica has rebounded. While a Jamaican vacation does sound tempting, there are some important things to know.
US State Department and CDC Advice
While Jamaica did reopen to travelers last year, the US State Department is currently advising Americans to avoid travel to the island nation due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As at April 20, 2021, the US government has also encouraged travelers to exercise increased caution is some parts of the island, due to crime.
As for the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), they have issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Jamaica. The CDC recommends that US citizens avoid travel, but should they choose to visit, they must take precautions. This includes getting both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, getting tested, as well as wearing masks and practicing social distancing during their visit. Travelers are also urged to wash their hands regularly and monitor their health for any signs of illness while visiting.
Travel requirements for Jamaica
At this stage, all travelers aged 12 and over must present a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test to be able to check in for a flight to Jamaica. This test must be taken no more than three days prior to travel to Jamaica and must be administered by a medical laboratory with a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) registration or ISO 15189 certification.
Besides producing negative test results, in many cases, international travelers will also need to get travel authorization. This requires travelers to submit personal information relating to their health as well as their intended stay in Jamaica. Visitors will also be required to save an electronic or printed copy of this travel authorization to produce at the airline check-in desk, or on boarding their flight.
It is important to note that US travelers to Jamaica will also need to take a PCR test before returning home. Luckily, due to the CDC’s new requirements for US-bound travelers to produce a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure, Jamaica is currently increasing its COVID-19 testing capacity to handle the strain.
Resilient Corridors in Jamaica
In order to protect visitors and locals from the virus, Jamaica has established two “resilient corridors.” The corridors stretch along Jamaica’s northern coast and include locations like Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios. This area incorporates more than 80 percent of the island’s tourism areas, but only one percent of Jamaica’s resident population. The corridors also meet strict COVID-19 protocols, which have been approved by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).
Tourism service delivery operators within the resilient corridors have been inspected to ensure they are compliant with the required standards of training, protective equipment and processes to permit them to welcome travelers. Employees and visitors are required to wear face-coverings in public spaces and follow enhanced protocols for hand hygiene and social distancing.
Americans can enjoy traveling to Jamaica, while following all the necessary protocols to keep themselves and locals safe. Find out more information from the Visit Jamaica website.
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