(CMR) Senior Advisor and Strategist in the Ministry of Tourism, Delano Seiveright, has sought to downplay a recent adjustment in the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) rating of Jamaica, which moved the island into the “very high risk” category for COVID-19.
Previously Jamaica was listed by the CDC in its level three category, “High”, which encouraged Americans to avoid nonessential travel countries listed as part of that level.
Seiveright notes that the majority of countries across the globe are listed at Level 4 including Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Cuba, the Bahamas, Antigua, Turks and Caicos, Trinidad & Tobago and the Dominican Republic.
“This comes as no surprise and is in line with most countries globally. Nevertheless, Jamaica is widely regarded as a safe destination. We have firm Covid19 health and safety protocols including a strict Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett developed Resilient Corridor which received formal recognition from the prestigious World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) with its ‘Safe Travels’ stamp,” said Seiveright.
Seiveright went on to add that Jamaica's COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols and the island's resilient corridors has made it possible for visitors and tourism workers to stay safe.
Jamaica has consistently been listed in US travel advisories issued by the US State Department , cautioning Americans that if they visit Jamaica they could be at risk.
Despite year on year advisories, crimes against visitors to the island have been low with approximately 4.3 million visitors having visited the country in 2019.
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