US issues level 3 advisory to its citizens travelling to Jamaica

The United States has issued a level three travel advisory to its citizens travelling to Jamaica.

“Reconsider travel to Jamaica due to health and safety measures and COVID-related conditions,” the advisory, which was posted on the US Embassy’s website on Friday, stated.

It added: “Exercise increased caution in Jamaica due to crime. Some areas have increased risk.”

The embassy said the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued the Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Jamaica, due to COVID-19.

“Jamaica has resumed most transportation options, (including airport operations and re-opening of borders) and business operations. Other improved conditions have been reported within Jamaica,” the advisory also stated.

As at Friday, Jamaica had recorded 14,772 coronavirus cases, with 2,413 of the cases being still active.

A total of 11,850 persons have recovered from the virus, while 336 COVID-19 patients have died.

The US Embassy also advised that effective January 26, all airline passengers to the United States aged two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test result that was done within three calendar days of travel.

Alternatively, travellers to the US may provide documentation from a licensed healthcare provider of having recovered from COVID-19 within 90 days preceding travel.

On Thursday, the new Joe Biden administration in the US signed an executive order outlining new rules for travel to that country in its fight against the coronavirus, which has so far claimed more than 400,000 lives there.

“In addition to wearing masks, everyone flying to the United States from another country will need to test before they get on that plane, before they depart, and quarantine when they arrive in America,” stated Biden at a press conference.

In addition to the US, Canada and the United Kingdom, which, with the US, are Jamaica’s largest sources for tourists, have announced protocols requiring all travellers to present negative COVID-19 tests before arrival at their ports of entry.

The Jamaican Government is in the process of stepping up its COVID-19 testing capacity to meet the new international requirements for travellers.