Jamaica Tightens Travel Restrictions

Posted on 02/28/2020 | About Montego Bay, Jamaica

Ministry of Health and Wellness officials in Jamaica have expanded its list of countries with travel restrictions due to the continued spread of the corona virus (COVID-19), a move that could affect some Canadians planning to visit the Caribbean island.

Canadians that have recently travelled to any of the restricted countries may have to alter their plans to visit Jamaica. Countries added to Jamaica’s list of travel restrictions are Italy, South Korea/Republic of Korea, Singapore and Iran. Jamaican officials are also reviewing the situation in Japan, where 164 cases and one death have been reported.

The move means:

  • All Jamaicans who have visited Italy, South Korea, Iran and Singapore in the last 14 days will have landing privileges in accordance with the law but will be subject to a health assessment and quarantine;
  • Persons who have visited Italy, South Korea, Iran and Singapore in the last 14 days and who do not have permanent residency or marriage exemption in Jamaica will not be granted landing privileges at any of the country’s ports of entry;
  • Non-Jamaicans who have permanent residence and marriage exemptions who are landed and who had visited Italy, South Korea, Iran, and Singapore in the last 14 days will be subject to a health assessment and quarantine;
  • Persons who have visited Italy, South Korea, Iran and Singapore and have been granted landing privileges and classified by the Ministry of Health and Wellness as high risk will be quarantined in government facilities; and those assessed as low-risk will be quarantined at home under the supervision of the Parish Health Department;
  • Individuals returning from Italy, South Korea, Iran and Singapore who have been granted landing privileges and who display any symptom of COVID-19, as per the case definition published by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, will be placed in immediate isolation at a health facility.

Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and Wellness will continue to assess the situation in light of the spread and will make recommendations for adjustments based on the risk assessment.

As previously announced, Cabinet had instructed that a National Coordinating Committee be put in place. That committee, co-chaired by the Prime Minister and Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie, is comprised of a wide cross section of stakeholders, including members of industry, the public sector and civil society.