KINGSTON, Jamaica –The Jamaica government says effective March 1, the requirement to obtain a travel authorization through the JAMCOVID or Visit Jamaica platforms will be eliminated.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness announcing new measures to further curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, said the authorities will however maintain the existing pre-testing requirement for a negative PCR or antigen test conducted within three days prior to travel.
“We are aware that obtaining pre-tests is becoming more difficult and expensive in some jurisdictions. We are therefore reviewing whether or not we should maintain this requirement or modify it,” Holness said.
He said that concurrent with the removal of the travel authorization, the government is also removing travel-related quarantine requirements.
“We are still strongly recommending and encouraging persons to limit their movement for at least five days after returning from travel.
“In particular, I urge persons who have travelled to distance themselves from those who are most at risk…those who are 60 years and over, persons with comorbidities…” Holness said, adding that isolation requirements remain in effect for persons who test positive for COVID-19.
The government also announced that other measures will go into effect from Friday until March 17.
They include a nightly curfew from midnight to 5.00 am (local time), limiting gatherings for funerals and burials to 100 up from 20 people and that burials are permitted Mondays to Fridays from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm.
The government also announced a limit for public sector events up from 50 to 100 with the 100 limit for weddings and company annual general meetings remaining.
Prime Minister Holness said even when the Disaster Risk Management Act is lifted, the wearing of masks will continue until there is the certainty that the pandemic has passed.
Jamaica has recorded 2, 795 deaths and 128, 000 infections linked to the pandemic since the first case was detected in March 2020.
