COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Jamaica (08 July Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Residents are allowed to enter.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes, with exceptions

• Foreigners are allowed to enter.

• Authorities have extended a travel ban on non-Jamaican citizens arriving from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, India, Paraguay, Peru, and Trinidad & Tobago until 10 August 2021. Additionally, travellers who have been in one of the above-mentioned countries within 14 days prior to their intended date of entry to Jamaica will not be permitted to enter the county.

Is a test required on arrival?

• No, with exceptions

• Arrivals are subject to medical screening and COVID-19 PCR testing at the airport if travellers have symptoms, have been exposed to anyone who has tested positive or belong to a high-risk group.

• Business travellers are subject to a test on arrival at their own expense.

Is a test certificate allowed?

• Yes, with exceptions

• Test certificates from RT-PCR, RNA or molecular tests, antigen tests, and Nucleic Acid Amplification (NAAT) tests are accepted. Test results from antibody or home-based test kits will not be accepted.

Test certificate required?

• Yes

• Until 10 August 2021, all travellers 12 years of age and over arriving in Jamaica, including Jamaican nationals, must present a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test result, performed by an accredited lab within 72 hours prior to travel to Jamaica.

• Business travellers must submit a negative COVID-19 test and be subject to testing upon arrival, at their own expense.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes, with exceptions

• Quarantine measures will depend on the category of traveller:

• Category 1: Residents - Jamaican nationals and non-nationals who are ordinarily residents in Jamaica will be under home quarantine for 14 days on arrival in the country. If they are fully vaccinated, this is reduced to 8 days. Fully vaccinated travellers can choose to take an RT-PCR test, at their own expense, at an approved testing laboratory after arrival in Jamaica. With a negative result, they can be released from the quarantine order. If the test is positive, they will be isolated either at home or in a government facility as determined by the health authorities.

• Category 2: Non-residents visiting Jamaica for tourism purposes and staying at approved “resilient corridor” accommodations: If the test performed on arrival is negative, the traveller can leave their hotel room and continue their stay in Jamaica provided they remain within the “ Stay in resilient corridor”. If the test is positive, the traveller must continue to quarantine at the hotel/resort or in a government facility. A list of approved accommodations may be found here.

• Category 3: Non-residents visiting Jamaica for business purposes: If the test performed on arrival is negative, travellers will be released from quarantine and are required to follow the provisions of the Stay at Intended address plan applicable to business travellers. If the test is positive, travellers will be subject to isolation either at their hotel/intended address or in a government facility. If fully vaccinated travellers receive a negative RT-PCR test result after their arrival, they will be released from quarantine, although all persons are reminded to adhere to the infection prevention and control guidelines, including minimal interactions with the general public.

• Category 4: Non-residents visiting Jamaica for other purposes, including tourists not staying within the “resilient corridor”: Arrivals must quarantine for 14 days at home. Fully vaccinated travellers will be placed under a home quarantine measure for a period of 8 days following the date of landing in Jamaica and will have the option to take an RT-PCR test for COVID-19 at their own expense. If the test result is negative, the quarantine period will end on receipt of the result. If the test result shows that the traveller is COVID-19 positive, the traveller will be isolated either at home or in a government facility as determined by the health authorities.

• Persons that are not vaccinated, or not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, will be placed under the Home Quarantine measure for a period of 14 days following the date of landing in Jamaica.

• Travellers who are quarantined or placed in isolation at their home, hotel, or intended address will be monitored electronically by health authorities to ensure that they do not leave their designated quarantine or isolation location.

• Non-compliance with quarantine, curfew, or other COVID-19 related restrictions could result in a fine, arrest, or immediate order to depart the country.

• Based on the above restrictions, travellers must be prepared to spend between zero up to a maximum of 14 days in quarantine, depending on their category of travel.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• The use of the “JamCovid19 APP” is mandatory for contact tracing.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• Travellers residing in Jamaica (nationals as well as non-national residents by virtue of marriage, work permit, etc.) must complete a Travel Authorization form before departure here.

• Travellers not residing in Jamaica must produce a Travel Authorization form before departure here.

• Travel Authorization applications must be submitted within seven (7) days of the intended travel date.

Is vaccination required?

• No

• A COVID-19 vaccination is not mandatory for entering the country. However, in some cases, proof of vaccination may allow travellers to reduce the quarantine period. To be considered “fully vaccinated”, travellers must have received all required doses of a vaccine (either 1 or 2 doses) and at least 14 days must have passed since they received the last dose of the vaccine.

Airline restrictions

• Minimal

• Commercial flights are operating. Travellers currently require authorization before boarding the flight.

• Jamaican authorities have suspended all flights from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, India, Paraguay, Peru, and Trinidad and Tobago until 10 August 2021.

Border restrictions

• Minimal

• Borders are open.

Curfew restrictions

• Moderate

• An island-wide night curfew from 23:00 to 05:00 (local time), from Monday to Friday, is in effect until 11 August 2021.

• Weekend curfews will be enforced from 23:00 on Saturdays until 05:00 on Sundays and from 18:00 on Sundays until 05:00 on Mondays.

• A stay-at-home order is in effect for unvaccinated people 60 years and older.

Social distancing restrictions

• Minimal

• At least 2 meters of physical distancing is mandatory in public places.

• Social gatherings are limited to a maximum of 10 people.

Internal travel restrictions

• Moderate

• Taxi operators should carry 1 person less than the maximum number of persons allowed under their current license.

• The main business district, the Corporate Area of Kingston, will be restricted for the purposes of essential activity.

• Public passenger vehicles are allowed to be on the road 1 hour before and 1 hour after the curfew.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes, with exceptions

• Markets are open from 06:00 to 19:00 (local time) Monday to Saturday. Markets are closed on Sundays.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Accommodations are open. Only businesses within the Resilient Corridor, that have been trained and assessed for adherence to COVID-19 protocols, are allowed to open to tourists. A list of the approved accommodations may be found here.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants are open and must close by 21:00 (local time). Takeaway or delivery services are also permitted.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes

• Bars must close by 21:00 (local time).

Beaches and tourism sites open?

• Yes

• Beaches are open until 18:00 (local time). Beach parties are not permitted.

Museums and heritage sites open?

• No

• Museums and heritage sites are closed.

Personal care services open?

• No

• Personal care services are closed.

Places of worship open?

• Yes

• Church services are permitted with a limit of 50 people.

Events allowed?

• Yes, with exceptions

• Small outdoor events (e.g. concerts, parties, festivals, and community events) have a limit of 100 people. Large events (e.g. wedding parties over 100 people) will require application and approval from the relevant authorities.

• Funeral services are permitted with a limit of 30 people. Burials are permitted from Monday to Friday between 09:00 to 17:00 for 30 minutes with no more than 30 persons.

• Weddings are allowed to take place with a maximum gathering of 15 people, unless approved by authorities.

• Concerts, parties, and boat parties are banned.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Face masks are mandatory in public places.

Other Restrictions

• The government has resumed face-to-face classes for students at the primary and secondary level sitting for exit examinations.

• Zoos, parks, and water parks are open until 18:00 (local time).

• Persons aged 60 years and over are required to stay at home.

• Amusement arcades are closed.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing and maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.