Travel, among other restrictions in Jamaica, is set to be downgraded come March; this is according to Prime Minister Andrew Holness during a Press Conference on Tuesday evening.
“Effective Tuesday, March 1, 2022, the requirement to obtain a travel authorization through the Jamcovid or Visitjamaica platforms will be eliminated,” the Prime Minister stated.
The mandatory quarantine period will also be phased out in March.
“Concurrent with the removal of the travel authorization, effective March 1, 2022, we are eliminating travel-related quarantine requirements,” he continued.
COVID-test requirements will however remain intact in the interim to be granted entry to the Island.
“We are at this time maintaining the existing pre-testing requirement for a negative PCR or antigen test conducted within 3 days prior to travel,” Prime Minister Holness said.
He, however, expressed that the current test mandate may also be on its way out.
“We are aware that obtaining pre-tests is becoming more difficult and expensive in some jurisdictions. We are therefore reviewing whether we should maintain this requirement or modify it,” he stated.
There could also be adjustments to the restrictions on the Entertainment Industry. The Prime Minister shared that the government is currently reviewing “the best protocols” to guide a commercial re-introduction of the industry.
“We are in the process of finalizing the approach and protocols for events and the entertainment sector and Minister McKenzie will make further announcements on this in due course,” he noted.
Holness indicated that while they are currently reviewing the formal reintroduction of the Entertainment industry he’s encouraging that patronage to be vaccinated.
“Position-based upon science and advise it best to have only vaccinated persons gather on mass,” he noted.
While using the vaccination amongst he was however remorseful for those who remain hesitant in getting the jab.
“I’m sympathetic to those who are unvaccinated, in fact, kids are going back to school who are going to be unvaccinated but it’s all about maintaining balance as we carefully exit. I’m not of a mind or if a view that unvaccinated persons should be discriminated against but in the balance of trying to make sure that we do not see a reoccurrence and a surge there are just thing we have to carefully do,” added Holness.
Venue occupancy for public gatherings will also be allowed to double its current capacity.
The maximum number of persons for events hosted by public sector entities will increase from 50 to 100.
Churches and religious entities have also been given more leniency.
The current maximum of 20 persons allowed to physically attend funerals and burials will be increased to 100.
This number includes mourners, clergy, and any other support personnel. As a reminder, burials are permitted only between 9 am and 5 pm, Mondays to Fridays.
The Prime Minister in his closing remarks added that masks wearing would remain in effect even under the current protocols.
“The wearing of masks still required under the current protocols and even when the Disaster Risk Management Act is removed I’m quite certain that it will remain a public health requirement until we are certain that we are out of the pandemic,” he concluded.
