U.S Issues Level 4 ‘Do Not Travel’ Advisory For Jamaica

The United States has moved Jamaica to its highest risk list of countries due to rising cases of COVID-19 throughout the nation. 

The CDC has raised Jamaica to level four on its risk list. That signifies that Jamaica is the highest level of risk and U.S travelers should avoid vacations to the popular island.

The move comes as COVID-19 cases rise in Kingston, Spanish Town, and Montego Bay. The CDC assesses COVID-19 risk destinations based on a nation’s number of cases and their current trajectory. Level four destinations will have over 500 cases per 100,000 each day for the previous 28 days. 

Alternatively, if the population is fewer than 100,000 and the nation has 500 cases per day, the CDC will place the country on its high-risk list.

In addition to Jamaica, the CDC added Puerto Rico, Guam, Saint Lucia, and Switzerland to its level four list. Switzerland is a popular tourist destination for many Americans, especially with the winter coming up and ski resorts beginning to open.

Other nations on the CDC’s high-risk list include:

• The UK
• France
• U.S Virgin Islands
• The Bahamas

The Entry Requirements 

All U.S citizens, regardless of their vaccination status, will have to bring a negative PCR or an antigen test result that they must present to an airline representative.

In addition, U.S tourists must quarantine at the location of arrival for up to 14 days. Travelers must also request and obtain travel authorization from the Jamaican authorities within 72 hours of their planned travel date.

There are various health screening procedures in place at the airport. If the airport believes you’re showing symptoms or you’re coming from a high-risk nation, you’ll have to take a test on the border. 

If the test is negative, you’ll have to remain under the “stay in zone” measure. If your test is positive, the local authorities will place you under mandatory isolation. But, if you don’t require a test on arrival, you’re allowed to go to your accommodation under the “stay in zone” measure.

Jamaica doesn’t currently have any policy to allow vaccinated travelers in the country without entry restrictions.

The Current Restrictions In Jamaica 

U.S travelers that travel to Jamaica will have to face various restrictions after entry. 

The island currently has an island-wide curfew in place between 11 pm and 5 am. However, the curfew is 6 pm to 5 am from Sunday night to Monday morning. Also, face masks are mandatory in all public places.

Jamaica currently has restrictions on most activities. That includes restaurants, bars, nightclubs, museums, and public places.

The COVID-19 Situation In Jamaica 

Cases of COVID-19 have grown in Jamaica in the previous two months. The island had low cases of COVID-19 during 2020, but cases slowly started to rise in 2021. Jamaica had its biggest peak in March, where cases were around 600 per day.

The current wave is the most severe so far. The current 7-day case average is 670 per day, and that’s up from a 7-day average of 50 cases per day two months ago.

Jamaica has been slow to vaccinate its population as it opens up for tourism. The island has fully vaccinated 9.8 percent of its population, which is around 44 percent lower than the United States.

According to statistics, if the current vaccination rollout rate continues, it will take another 71 days to vaccinate another 10 percent of the population.

The CDC is constantly changing its advice as cases continue to spiral worldwide.