The Jamaican Government is expanding the current travel restrictions and protocols applicable to travelers from the United Kingdom to include Brazil, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Argentina and Paraguay.

In a statement a short while ago, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) said the decision comes after a review of the situation in South America where several countries on the continent have been experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases.

The OPM also noted the increasing number of countries there with the ‘Brazilian variants’.

WHO CLASSIFIES NEW VARIANTS OF INTEREST AND CONCERN

“The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified the B.1.1.28.1 or P.1 strain as a Variant of Concern and the B.1.1.28.2 or P.2 strain as a Variant of Interest,” the OPM said.

“These strains are being referred to as the ‘Brazilian variants’. The P.1 variant has been reported to be more transmissible than the B.1.1.7 strain (‘the UK variant’).”

Noting that Jamaica is at a critical juncture in the COVID-19 pandemic, where it is experiencing a second surge of cases that has threatened to overwhelm its health care system, the OPM said the restrictions on the specified countries are aimed at decreasing the likelihood of entry of the more transmissible variants to the island.

NEW RESTRICTIONS EFFECTIVE APRIL 1

The new restrictions will become effective tomorrow (April 1) through to April 13 and, during this period, they will be further reviewed.

Under the new restrictions:
• All non-Jamaicans who have been in the UK, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Argentina and Paraguay within the last 14 days prior to intended arrival date in Jamaica will not be permitted to enter Jamaica.
• Jamaicans who have been in the UK, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Argentina and Paraguay within the 14 days prior to intended arrival date, who seek to enter the island through another country will be tested and detained in State quarantine at their own expense for a minimum of 48 hours until the results are returned. If negative, they will be allowed to transfer to home quarantine to complete the 14-day mandatory quarantine period. If positive, they will remain in isolation at a location that is approved by the Ministry of Health and Wellness.