The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) is calling for all Jamaican and foreign travellers into Jamaica to be required to produce negative COVID-19 tests on arrival into the country and for better enforcement of COVID-19 strictures on the island. 

According to JHTA President Clifton Reader, “these measures are essential if Jamaica is to quell the spread of the disease”.
 
Reacting to Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ announcement that curfew hours have been moved to 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. daily until February 24, Reader said the plan was clearly designed to reduce the amount of time for people to congregate.

“But we have seen where, in spite of curfews, there is a prevailing level of indiscipline that is fueling community spread,” Reader said.

“Some persons are disregarding curfews, many are not wearing masks and not observing gathering limits. They are continually taking risks and placing their family, friends and communities in jeopardy. We can’t expect to quell the spread of the COVID-19 here if this continues.”

Said Reader: “It is imperative that we begin to insist that all travelers into the island, including Jamaicans and other residents, produce negative COVID-19 test results no older than five days on arrival, or pay to be tested at our international airports.”

He added: “We have been working very hard in the tourism  sector to protect our teams, families and communities. We have been requiring tourists to comply with all of our health and safety strictures and thankfully, to date we have had no reports of COVID-19 transmission from tourist to hotel worker or vice versa. Now we must insist that Jamaicans coming into the island also observe the same strict procedures and processes.”

Noting that the JHTA members were serious about enforcing COVID-19 safety protocols within their hotels and in the Resilient Corridor, Reader said the JHTA COVID-19 Ambassadors Programme was expanding its reach across the island, lending expertise in COVID-19 Education programmes in several communities.

He said the ‘Ambassadors’, who are employees of various JHTA member hotels, trained in COVID-19 safety protocols, would be going into communities armed with thousands of masks, sponsored by the Tourism Enhancement Fund for distribution.

“Our JHTA COVID-19 Ambassadors will be out in their numbers in the coming weeks, as we contribute to measures to help save lives. This indiscipline, lack of enforcement and lack of personal responsibility has got to stop,” Reader declared.