U.S. CDC Warns Against Travel to Jamaica

A potential tourism crisis looms for Jamaica, as the U.S. Centres for Disease Control Prevention, (CDC) has placed the country among the highest risk destination for travelers. The U.S. Center for Disease Control issued an official advisory for travelers to avoid travel to Jamaica. In its most recent risk assessment for COVID-19 deaths, Jamaica is ranked level 4, the highest level.

The rising level of cases was cited as the reason for the warning. The CDC says because of the current situation in Jamaica, even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett says he is disappointed with the issue. He says infection rates among visitors are admirably low, especially when compared to other Caribbean countries.

Senior Advisor in the Ministry of Tourism, Delano Seiveright, is also disappointed with the travel designation but not surprised. Jamaica has received a level 4 ranking before. Seiveright is confident that this will not create a heavy impact.

Meanwhile, Opposition Spokesperson on Tourism, Senator Janice Allen, says that an internal assessment of COVID- 19 handling is the best way to reduce the ranking.

The Minister said however, the tourism sector will continue to build confidence, through its resilience during the pandemic. One such effort is with the vaccination of its workers; Jamaica is among 80 other countries that received a level 4 ranking.

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