How Is Jamaica Handling COVID?
Will I Catch COVID In Jamaica?

How Is Jamaica Handling COVID? | (Photo: Jamaica Gleaner)

by Sheree-Anita Shearer | Associate Writer

Many persons are just now travelling again since the COVID-19 cases have declined. But, when travelling abroad, you must still check on the country you plan to vacation in to see how they handle the pandemic to keep you and your family safe and to prevent your vacation from being ruined.

How Is Jamaica Handling COVID?

The extra precaution was taken throughout the pandemic to ensure that the spread was as controlled as possible. The wearing of masks, curfew hours and sanitization efforts by government agencies, private companies and households all worked to contain the spread.

Public gatherings were banned and even national holidays were curfew days to dissuade persons from attending large gatherings.

Fines were implemented to further prohibit Jamaicans from breaking the laws.

How many cases of COVID does Jamaica have today?

Jamaica has not reported new covid cases since 2 October 2022. Before that, the cases were steadily dropping which prompted the Ministry to no longer have daily COVID updates but to do them weekly instead.

It is important to point out that although the last case was reported on 2nd October, the cases were dropping before that and we even had some days where no cases were recorded.

How many COVID Cases Does Jamaica Have?

Jamaica recorded 151,931 cases of COVID-19 between 2020 and 2022. Of that number of cases, 99,392 persons recovered but we, unfortunately, lost 3,320 Jamaicans.

Vaccination

Much like the rest of the world, vaccination was met with some scepticism but some persons did take the jab to flatten the curve. Now at least 30% of Jamaicans are fully vaccinated.

Jamaica currently has administered 714, 683 first-dose shots, 613,979 second doses and 120,037 single-dose shots.

The Reopening of the Tourism Sector

The decision to reopen the tourism sector had an almost even split between those who thought it was best and others who disapproved.

The case was made by those who agreed with the move, that Jamaica’s economy who was heavily reliant on tourism was suffering and that it would be a slow comeback from two years of shutdown.

For those who disapproved of the idea, they thought the risk of more Jamaicans dying from the disease should be enough to convince the powers that be that this might not be the best decision.

In the end, the tourism ministry came up with a few plans to contain the spread of COVID by potential visitors.

The tourism belt or the coronavirus-resilient corridor was established. This stretched across the north coast from Negril to Port Antonio and tourists were allowed to travel freely but only throughout this region.

This made it easier to retrace the steps of tourists if they came down with the virus.

To enter the country, you also needed a vaccination card and a negative PCR/Antigen test to prove you are COVID free upon entry. Most countries required the same test when persons were returning to their native country.

What are the COVID Restrictions in Jamaica like now?

As the cases lessened, Jamaica was able to reopen slowly. At this point, we can live as close to normal as possible. Mask are no longer a requirement but is now up to each individual or business place.

The tourism belt has been removed and tourists can now travel freely across the island.

The entertainment sector has been reopened; now stage shows, dances, festivals and other gatherings can be kept. However, there is a limit of 70% of the capacity of the venue to ensure persons have enough space to properly social distance.

And most importantly, there is no longer a requirement for a negative COVID test or vaccination to travel to Jamaica.

How are Resorts Handling COVID?

The resorts, attractions and almost every other business place are still practising COVID-19 sanitization efforts daily.

Resorts

Most resort properties have sanitization booths across the property to promote washing hands as much as is needed. The rooms are also disinfected, cleaned and sealed until the next guest arrives which means you can worry a little less about the safety of your hotel rooms.

Business places

If you are coming to Jamaica for business, you might be doing a little more travelling than the average visitor. If this means you will have to visit local business places, then you will see that they still have the COVID-19 protocol implemented for the most part.

You will need a mask still and only a few persons are allowed to enter at a time. Social distancing must still be practised both in the building and in the lines waiting outside.
You are required to wash or sanitise your hands upon entry and after each customer is served, a custodian sanitises the area before another customer is served.

So you see your Jamaican vacation is still very much on the cards. But just two quick tips before we’re done:

1. If you experience symptoms in Jamaica, you are invited to contact the Ministry of Health at +1-888-ONE-LOVE (663-5683).
   
   
2. Before your trip, you can visit the Jamaican Ministry of Health website or the Visit Jamaica website for more information.

Let's all be safe.

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References & Sources For How Is Jamaica Handling Covid?

1. How do vaccines work? (no date) World Health Organization. World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/how-do-vaccines-work?adgroupsurvey=%7Badgroupsurvey%7D&gclid=Cj0KCQjw--2aBhD5ARIsALiRlwAwzLKDrth-18Xyg9wOdsCIT4KeYGfzxJt3B9DUSm8bNHqGCNK4PJkaApQKEALw_wcB (Accessed: October 29, 2022).
2. Staff, C.J. (2020) Jamaica creates a "resilient corridor" to manage the return of Tourism, Caribbean Journal. Available at: https://www.caribjournal.com/2020/06/05/jamaica-tourism-movement-corridor/ (Accessed: October 29, 2022).
3. Video feature (no date) Ministry of Health Jamaica. Available at: https://www.moh.gov.jm/updates/coronavirus/covid-19-clinical-management-summary/ (Accessed: October 29, 2022).

How Is Jamaica Handling COVID? | Written: October 29, 2022

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