COVID-19 Vaccines for Tourism Industry Workers

Jamaica is among the highly tourism-dependent developing countries globally that will benefit from 25 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines being sourced for industry workers.

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says there have been conversations with suppliers in Africa and other locations and collaborations have been forged to facilitate the provision of the vaccines.

Mr. Bartlett said a colleague minister reported that work is being done to finalise the arrangement and that he (the Minister) will make an announcement.

“I have been making the point that tourism has a voice, and that voice must be heard in the management of this COVID response process. As an industry, none has been affected as devastatingly as tourism while none has responded faster,” he said.

Mr. Bartlett said Jamaica’s tourism industry has been a responsible partner in managing the COVID-19 pandemic locally.

He said the Ministry understood the uncertainties of the pandemic because they understand the impact that it has had on tourism.

The Minister said a risk management committee, recovery task force, and comprehensive protocols for industry workers and stakeholders were developed with this knowledge.

The introduction of an accreditation programme to certify COVID-compliant industry entities, and the establishment of the resilient corridor incorporating resort areas along Jamaica’s north coast were also some initiatives implemented by the Ministry.