Now that the ban on travelers from the United Kingdom (UK) to Jamaica has expired, the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) says it expects that the Government will maintain and enforce strict entry guidelines for all travelers entering the island from the UK. 

The ban was imposed in December 2020, as part of the country’s measures under the Disaster Risk Management Act, against the background of the mounting coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its variants.

JHTA President, Clifton Reader said, “While the ban has expired, we want to ensure that we have a clear, concise policy immediately enforced to maintain Jamaica’s safety. We are happy to welcome visitors and returning residents to Jamaica but we want to balance increased occupancy with the safety of our employees and families and Jamaicans as a whole.”

“We have heard reports that over 50 per cent of UK residents have received two doses of the vaccination against the COVID-19 virus, but we must remember that the UK is the European gateway to the world. Many non-residents transit to UK airports to access other countries, including Jamaica. We, therefore, urge Government to ensure that persons are fully vaccinated and/or present evidence of a recent Negative PCR test before travelling from the UK to Jamaica,” Reader added.

Stressing the need for incoming returning residents and visitors to continue to follow the existing safety protocols including mask-wearing, social distancing and sanitizing, Reader noted, “We must continue our aggressive vaccination programme whilst working with the Government to enforce new and existing protocols in order to prevent a third wave of the coronavirus.”