As the COVID-19 surge is increasing day by in different parts of the world, the Jamaican Government has increased limitations on travelers from overseas to now include those from 6 South American countries – Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay including Peru.
Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) of Jamaica released a press statement on Wednesday, which notified that the expansion of the restrictions to more overseas travellers came after a review of the situation in South America, where numerous countries there are experiencing notable spikes in coronavirus cases.
The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) of Jamaica has also pointed to the growing number of nations with the Brazilian variants of COVID-19, which are said to be more easily spread from person to person.
The travel halt, which takes the impact on Thursday, April 1, is to remain in place until April 13.
“Jamaica is at a severe juncture in the coronavirus pandemic; we are experiencing the 2nd surge of cases that has frightened to overwhelm our health care system. The limitations on the specified nations are to decrease the likelihood of entry of the more transmissible variants to Jamaica,” the Jamaican government said.
Under the new restrictions, the following will obtain:
- All non-Jamaicans who have been in the United Kingdom, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Argentina and Paraguay within the last 14 days ere their intended arrival date in Jamaica, will not be permitted to enter Jamaica.
- Jamaicans who have been in the seven listed countries within the 14 days before their intended arrival date, who seek to enrol the island via another nation, will be tested & detained in state quarantine at their own expense for a minimum of 48 hours until the results are returned. If negative, they will be entitled to transfer to home quarantine to complete the 14-day compulsory quarantine period. If positive, they would remain in isolation at a position that is approved by the Ministry of Health & Wellness.
As of Tuesday, Jamaica had recorded 39,237 cases of COVID-19 and 596 deaths. Nearly 21,000 cases are deemed to be active.
