Jamaica Lifts Its Mask Mandate and Removes COVID-19 PCR Entry requirement

KINGSTON, Jamaica – From Friday, visitors to Jamaica will not be required to present a negative COVID-19 test in order to enter the country, according to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).

A vacationer arrives at Rockhouse hotel in Negril, Jamaica. (Image via Rockhouse and Skylark Hotels)Additionally, people in enclosed public spaces will no longer be mandated to wear a mask.

The ease in both the pre-test arrival mandate and mask-wearing requirements follows the expiration of the measures which were implemented for the period March 18 to April 15th, 2022 under the Public Health Enforcement Measures (COVID-19) Order 2022.

All other measures under the order will remain unchanged.

Therefore, still in place are the requirement for people who test positive for COVID-19 to isolate at their abode until they have recovered; and a requirement for owners or operators of businesses, places of worship, educational institutions or other establishments to which the public has access to ensure that handwashing stations, or hand sanitizing equipment, are placed and maintained at the entrance of the premises as well as a requirement for people entering the premises to wash or otherwise sanitize their hands upon entry.

Directions relating to the conduct of COVID-19 testing and the handling of samples and reports by private laboratories; and provisions to protect the identity of persons who test positive for COVID-19 also remain.

Meanwhile, Jamaicans are being reminded that while current case numbers are relatively low, the COVID-19 pandemic has not ended as new variants and sub-variants of the virus continue to emerge.

A number of countries are experiencing increases in case numbers arising from the spread of the BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron.

“The public is therefore urged to continue to exercise caution and voluntarily observe the infection prevention and control measures including wearing masks in enclosed spaces to protect themselves as well as family members, particularly those who are most vulnerable,” the OPM statement said.

The Government said it will continue to monitor the situation and respond as required through changes in the measures to preserve lives and livelihoods.