Jamaica stiffens Covid test entry requirement

Jamaica has revised its Covid-19 PCR entry requirement for all travelers, effective March 10.

For travel on or after March 10, arriving passengers must produce a negative PCR test result or an antigen test result taken within three days of the travel date.

Related report: The latest Caribbean travel protocols for U.S. visitors and map

Prior to March 10, travelers may present a test result taken within 10 days of arrival in Jamaica.

All other requirements remain in place. These include submission of the online Travel Authorization between two and five days before arrival. Once approved, travelers must submit the approval as well as the test result at the departure airport.

Travelers are restricted to the Resilient Corridors on the north and south coast of the island and must stay at Covid-19 Protocol Compliant Approved accommodations, which are listed at www.visitjamaica.com.

The Jamaica Cares program, which provides travel protection and emergency services, is required for every non-Jamaican passport holder at a cost of $40 per person, payable at the time the Travel Authorization is approved.

Rise in Covid cases in Jamaica

Jamaica has seen a rise in Covid cases in recent days, with 1,881 people on the island confirmed to have contracted Covid-19 in the last week, according to reports in the Jamaica Gleaner.

The government announced that a gift of 50,000 AstraZeneca vaccines from India are due to arrive on the island this week, according to health minister Dr. Christopher Tufton. That vaccine requires two shots.

Additional doses are expected next week, as well.