I was fortunate to travel to Jamaica in 2021 and stay at the Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton resort. During that time, the COVID designation was high, but as Travel Agent Central is reporting, “Looking at the continued progress made by Jamaica in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has lowered the Caribbean nation to a Level 3 designation, which applies to destinations that have had between 100 and 500 cases per 100,000 residents in the past 28 days. The Jamaican government, including the Ministry of Tourism and its agencies, has worked on COVID-19 protocols and initiatives with an aim to ensure the highest level of safety for everyone in Jamaica.
“With the infection rate within our innovative resilient corridors under one percent, it is rewarding to know that we are being effective in our efforts to ensure the safety of visitors, tourism workers and local communities,” Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett said in a press release. “The continued partnership between the Ministries of Tourism and Health and Wellness, the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) and the Private Sector Vaccine Initiative (PSVI) have aided in the vaccination of thousands of tourism workers across Jamaica. With the Tourism Vaccine Task Force, alongside the resilient corridors’ protocols remaining in place, we are hopeful that the destination will continue to be downgraded on the CDC’s list.”
The efficiency of Jamaica’s resilient corridors, regulated by an enforced directory of protocols for Jamaica’s tourism sector, has been a driving force in providing a safe experience for visitors. The resilient corridors cover more than 85 percent of the island’s tourism product, and include less than one percent of the general population, resulting in extremely low infection rates.
Along with vaccination mandates set in place for travelers entering the island, Minister Bartlett has continued the Tourism Vaccine Task Force program to facilitate the administration of COVID-19 vaccines to tourism workers nationwide.
Jamaica remains open for travel and continues to welcome visitors safely. Its health and safety protocols were among the first to receive the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Safe Travels recognition that allowed the destination to safely reopen to travel in June 2020. The island has also recently announced new cruise developments and 90 percent of planned tourist investments remain on track.”
I’m glad that Jamaica has reduced the level of COVID, and I look forward to returning very soon!
