Jamaica among latest destinations to receive travel warning from CDC
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s list of “avoid travel” warnings continues to grow, as the agency tells Americans to avoid travel to Jamaica as of Sept. 7 due to increasing case levels of COVID-19.
The CDC also issued Level 4: Very High Level of COVID-19 warnings for Sri Lanka and Brunei on Tuesday.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
“Avoid travel to Jamaica,” the CDC said. “Because of the current situation in Jamaica, even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants.”
The tropical destination popular with American tourists saw huge spikes in COVID-19 case numbers in early March before dipping down throughout most of the summer and then increasing again in August, reporting more than 16,000 new cases. August saw nearly a quarter of Jamaica’s overall COVID-19 cases since Jan. 3, 2020, according to data from the World Health Organization.
The 20-29-year-old age group among its nearly 3 million residents is responsible for the majority of cases, followed by those aged 30-39, per the Jamaican Ministry of Health.
On Sept.1, Prime Minister Andrew Holness extended a countrywide lockdown, instituting “no-movement days” through Sept. 14, requiring workplaces and businesses to close midday, extending a curfew and requiring most residents to stay home, excluding essential travel.
The U.S. Department of State also issued Level 4: Do Not Travel warnings for the three destinations, noting “increased risk for crime” in certain areas of Jamaica, including Kingson and Montego Bay.
Since reopening to tourists on June 15, 2020, Jamaica has continued to allow visitors who possess a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of arrival as well as a completed online travel authorization form. Per the country’s Controlled Entry Programme, tourists are currently restricted to “resilient corridors” during their stay, including lodging accommodations, restaurants and other licensed tourist attractions approved by the Jamaica Tourist Board.
“All travel to and from the attraction must be on transportation licensed under the Tourist Board Act,” says Visit Jamaica.
As of Sept. 8, Jamaica has fully vaccinated nearly 30% of its population. Until Sept. 17, all non-Jamaican citizens who have been in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, India or Trinidad and Tobago within 14 days of their intended date of entry are prohibited from travel to Jamaica.
Read more: Updated: A country-by-country guide to Caribbean reopenings
The State Department also has a crime warning due to terrorism for Sri Lanka, which reported almost 42,000 cases the week ending Aug. 23, per the WHO. Nearly 30% of people have been vaccinated.
Despite relatively low COVID-19 cases overall, the agencies warned against travel to Brunei, which has recorded fewer than 3,500 total cases and just 13 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
Related: CDC issues 7 new travel warnings, including Switzerland
Featured photo of Ocho Rios, Jamaica, by Alanna Johnson/EyeEm/Getty Images.
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 90,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership. Offer ends 11/10/2021.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer expires 11/10/2021.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.