As COVID-19 cases are rising in Jamaica, the government has gradually started to tighten restrictions around the island, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said in a press briefing. A new curfew schedule will begin on August 11:00 and end on August 31. The curfew will take effect from 7 PM to 5:00 AM Mondays to Fridays, 6:00 PM to 5:00 AM on Saturdays, and 2:00 PM to 5:00 AM on Sundays. The country has chosen to gradually tighten restrictions to give businesses and consumers room to adjust.
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COVID-19 Is Causing Jamaica to Tighten Its Curfew. Here’s What You Need to Know
“We have analyzed how we implemented measures in the past and have heard the concerns, criticisms and suggestions of our stakeholders who have said that the implementation of tighter measures steeply sometimes causes congestion and panic,” he said.
Beaches that are not under management or control are now closed. The remaining beaches will now only be open from 6 AM to 4:00 PM on Monday through Saturday, and 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Sunday. Gyms, restaurants, zoos, and bars must operate at 50% capacity with social distancing enforced, while clubs are completely closed. Weddings and churches are capped at 50 attendees, and public events are limited to 30 persons. “No movement days” are to come if the number of cases does not improve.
“In fact, no movement days, if the numbers do not show signs of improving, will probably come two weeks from now. So we are gradually easing in tighter measures so that people can prepare and have enough time to adjust their scheduling and so forth,” he said.
The Caribbean island, however, is still open to tourists. All travelers ages 12 and up must show proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular (PCR, NAA, RNA) or Antigen test taken no more than three days before arrival, and fill out a Travel Authorization form due seven days prior to departure. Until August 31, 2021, non-Jamaican citizens who have been to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, India or Trinidad & Tobago within 14 days of their trip will not be admitted. Tourists will stay in the island’s “Resilient Corridors,” which has a strictly enforced set of protocols and standards. Still, they can leave the hotel to visit any tourist attraction that is a Covid-19 Resilient tourist attraction licensed by the Jamaica Tourist Board. 