The latest on the Jamaica Entry Update from Visit Jamaica:
Effective March 4, 2021, all travelers to Jamaica, 12 years of age and over, regardless of nationality, will be required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR or Antigen test result to check in for a flight.
The date of the sample collection on the Jamaica Entry Update must be within 3 days of the travel date to Jamaica. Example: For a travel date of March 5, the earliest the test sample may be collected is March 2.
Use this Test Date Calculator at Visit Jamaica.
Before March 4, 2021, residents of the United States of America (USA), Brazil, Dominican Republic, Mexico or Panama who are 12 years of age or over, are required to present a test result for which the sample collection must be within 10 days of the travel date.
Tests must be done by a medical laboratory that has a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) registration, an ISO 15189 certification.
Learn more about Jamaica’s Test Requirements for Covid-19.
First, Jamaica has been extremely thorough with creating and implementing Jamaica Tourism Guidelines for risk management and they apply to everyone. So before you pack your bags, be sure to complete the Travel Authorization as this is mandatory and the first step to getting there. No Travel Authorization – no boarding!
Here’s what you need to know:
- A Travel Authorization is NOT required to book your flight.
- It is a requirement for check-in and boarding. The airlines will not allow passengers to board without it.
- Non-resident applications may be submitted anytime within the five (5) day period before the intended date of travel.
- If the travel date is more that 5 days away you will not be allowed to complete the application and be advised of the date you may return to the portal to complete it.
- Visitors will receive a response within 5- 10 minutes after submitting the form.
- The approval is valid for 7-days and if you do not receive approval you won’t be able to check-in for your flight
- If you’re not approved you’ll need to wait for 14-days to reapply
The Travel Authorization is being enforced by the airlines, Ministry of Health & Wellness, and Immigration Officers.
More Questions? This resource from the Jamaica Tourist Board may be helpful.
When You Arrive in Jamaica
Be sure you have your approved Travel Authorization and review these Six Steps To Your Dream Vacation, which begin upon arrival and include:
- Health Screening & Information
- Travel Authorization
- Duty-Free & Baggage Claim
- Customs
- Covid-19 PCR Testing
- Transportation – If all goes well by this step – you’ll be on your way!
We know one question you may have is…
“What happens if I had COVID and did not know it and then test positive upon entry?”If you’re traveling with others and one of you tests positive for COVID-19 on arrival then the person who tested positive will be isolated in a public hospital (health facility) for a minimum of 14 days…..or until they are able to produce two consecutive negative tests in a 48-hour period.
Physical distancing and face masks are required, too.
While You’re In Jamaica:
- Information about Jamaica’s Resilient Corridors
- Types of Restrictive Measures while in Jamaica
- What if the result is positive? If the result of your test is positive, you will be placed in isolation either at your resort or in a government facility as determined by the health authorities.
- What if the result is negative? If the result of your test is Negative, you will be required to stay on property within the Resilient Corridor observing all sanitization, social distancing and mask-wearing protocols.
As you can see there are several steps to take before you can enjoy your vacation so if you’re above a certain risk level you may want to avoid Jamaica for the time being and stay up to date on their reopening guidelines. Contact your physician with any health-related and Covid questions.
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