(CMR) With some 10,000 Jamaican nationals expected to return to that country over the coming months, the Jamaican government has introduced an online form for the controlled re-entry program via the Ministry of Health's website that gives them express travel authorization.
The updated new protocols were put in place for June 1-14, 2020 and include risk-based protocols effective for that time period. Some countries, including the Cayman Islands, are within what they are terming Jamaica's “travel bubble”. Countries included in that category are mostly Caribbean jurisdictions that are considered low risk. At this time those countries include:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Cayman Islands
- Grenada
- Montserrat
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos
Anyone traveling directly from those countries will receive the benefit of the travel bubble. Not all persons arriving on direct flights from “travel bubble” countries are required to be mandatorily tested for COVID-19. Only persons assessed by the health authorities as high risk will be required to be tested.
Jamaicans will be required to fill out an application form by logging into the website and submitting amongst others things a health questionnaire. The health questions will include providing home quarantine assessment information and agreeing to numerous declarations.
The application then goes through a review process where additional information could be required and then either approved or denied by the Jamaican authorities. Only then should persons which to travel to Jamaica book and pay for their ticket. They are further constructed to keep a copy of their travel authorization with them when booking and traveling back home.
All persons returning home will be subject to a stay at home order for 14 days allowing them to travel once per day for necessities of life such as food, medicine, exercise and conducting some business. Anyone traveling, even from bubble countries, could be subjected to testing requirements based on the results of health screenings at the port of entry.
In addition to health screening, risk assessment and sensitization, all persons arriving in Jamaica from countries outside our “travel bubble” are required to be tested on arrival. Persons assessed to be low risk would then await their results at home under a “stay at home” order. Persons assessed as high risk would await results in quarantine either at home or in a government facility, as determined by the health authorities.
Unlike “stay at home” orders, persons under quarantine orders are not allowed to leave home without permission from the health authorities. If a person tests positive they will be required to go into isolation.
Their website warns that it may take some time before it can be approved due to the number of persons applying for re-entry. Additonal information can be obtained via:
US/Canada Toll-Free Number –1(888) 786 2703
UK – 44 (800)0465837
Jamaica –1 876 656 9307
Email [email protected]
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