Jamaica has bolstered its COVID-19 testing infrastructure to meet the growing demand for such tests, which are driven by new travel requirements in major tourism source markets.

Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett, who made the announcement, declared that Jamaica is now very ready for the new travel requirements having developed the infrastructure to secure the quantities of testing agents to enable the viral testing methods that are approved by the relevant authorities. 

He stated that all visitors who come to Jamaica will now be able to access approved testing arrangements to enable them to fulfil the requirements of their respective countries for re-entry.

The minister’s comment follows the recent order by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which requires evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result for airline passengers travelling into the United States.

This re-entry requirement takes effect today.

Similar requirements were previously introduced by the governments of Canada and the UK, which require all persons flying to those countries to present negative test results to facilitate entry or to avoid self-quarantine.

Improvements to the island’s testing framework

Bartlett pointed out that the improvements to Jamaica’s the testing framework is being driven by the special task force he recently established to spearhead efforts to boost the island’s COVID-19 testing capacity. The task force has created a system which will make the process easier for visitors.

According to the Tourism Minister, “the task force has done quite a lot of work, which includes taking steps to assess and determine the capacity to respond to the need for testing of all visitors going back to their country and I am pleased to say that that work is completed. We are able to report positively that the labs are all accredited and resourced. “We have also established two redundancy arrangements. They are located at sites close to both international airports in Montego Bay and Kingston.” 

Testing facilities have been put in place at all of the country’s major hotels while arrangements have been put in place to facilitate the movement of visitors to the closest testing centre. If one is not available on property, visitors also have the option to pay for the tests prior to their arrival at the facilities.

Bartlett disclosed that a policy is being developed for visitors who test positive ahead of their departure from the island. He explained that “for visitors who test positive, we have a positive care programme that is being structured. The hotels will be the first responders by allowing the visitors to stay on property in a designated area throughout the period, especially if they are asymptomatic, to fulfill the requirements to enable them to go back home.” 

‘Burdensome’ new travel requirement?

The minister admitted that the new travel requirements are burdensome, pointing out that Jamaica is already hampered by the existing protocols. He added that the new ones will only add to that burden and is moving costs up while reducing visitor volumes.

The Tourism Minister was quick to point out that while the new protocols on travel are having negative implications for Jamaica, “However, what it is not affecting is the quality and high experience level that Jamaica offers. We are still the finest destination to visit.” 

The special task force is led by Minister Bartlett and includes President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, Clifton Reader; First Vice President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association and former President of the JHTA, Nicola Madden-Greig.

The team includes Chairman of the Tourism Product Development Company, Ian Dear; Executive Chairman of the Sandals Group and Chairman of the Tourism Linkages Network Council, Adam Stewart; Executive Director of Chukka Caribbean Adventures and Chairman of the COVID-19 resilient corridor management group, John Byles and Senior Advisor and Strategist in the Ministry of Tourism, Delano Seiveright.

This task force works along with the Ministry of Health and Wellness and tourism stakeholders both within the public and private sectors. Visitors are encouraged to check the Jamaica Tourist Board’s website as well as the website of the Ministry of Health and Wellness for updates on the testing arrangements and approved testing facilities.