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Security Brief for Jamaica prepared on: Jul 12, 2021 8:10:45 PM UTC Security Assessment Rating Security Rating for Jamaica: 3 - Moderate Sub-Ratings 1 2 3 4 5 Crime 4 Overall Rating: Security Services 4 3 Civil Unrest 3 Terrorism 1 Moderate Kidnapping 3 Geopolitical 3 Security Overview : Overview of Jamaica There are no conflicts that pose a considerable concern to foreign travelers, nor is there a terror threat that may adversely affect the country's security landscape. However, crime rates are high. Although travelers face a greater risk of exposure to petty crime, some foreign nationals have also fallen victim to violent crime. Protests and strike actions occasionally occur and have the potential to escalate into violence and result in disruptions. No Current Security Alerts Other Alerts & Advisories Critical Alerts Entry/Exit: Officials in Jamaica ease curfew and capacity restrictions as part of extension of COVID-19-related measures through Aug. 11. Incident: COVID-19 restrictions Location(s): Nationwide (map) Time Frame: Indefinite Impact: Travel and business disruptions Summary Authorities in Jamaica have extended most of the country's travel and domestic restrictions through the morning of Aug. 11 to curb the spread of COVID-19. However, as part of the extension, officials have relaxed several capacity restrictions and shortened curfew hours. Under the new directives, curfew hours are 23:00-05:00 Monday-Saturday and 18:00-05:00 Sunday. Additionally, beaches, rivers, water parks, and other attractions are open for visitors but must close by 18:00 Mondays to Saturdays and 17:00 Sundays. Parks, gyms, and bars, by contrast, can remain open until one hour before curfew begins, though they are still subject to existing health protocols. Worship and marriage ceremonies, indoor cinemas, and theaters are subject to density limit of one person every 4 square meters (40 square feet) up to a 70 percent capacity limit. Funeral services can occur with a maximum of 30 persons inside the church or other such indoor venue; burials can occur 09:00-17:00 Mondays to Fridays with up to 30 people attending. Officials continue to encourage private companies to allow their employees to work from home whenever possible; public employees will continue working from home. Individuals not fully vaccinated and over the age of 60 are urged to stay at home. The use of facemasks in public settings and requirements to maintain social distancing remain in place. Travel Restrictions Jamaican authorities have extended the ban on entry for passengers from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, India, and Trinidad and Tobago until Aug. 10. The measure applies to all non-Jamaicans who have been in these countries within the last 14 days before their intended arrival in Jamaica. Jamaican nationals who have been in the affected countries 14 days before arrival will be tested at the airport and placed in a state quarantine facility for a minimum of 48 hours. Persons who test negative will complete the remainder of their 14- day quarantine at home, while those who test positive will be placed in a state isolation facility until they have recovered. Except for travel from the six South American countries, India, and Trinidad and Tobago, all ports of entry are open to nonresident foreign travelers, citizens, and legal citizens; all arriving passengers will be subject to strict health screenings and assessments. All travelers require pre-travel authorization up to seven days before the planned departure. Individuals 12 years and older must present a negative COVID-19 PCR, antigen, or other approved test taken up to 72 hours before travel. In most cases, fully vaccinated arrivals must complete an eight- day self-quarantine, while unvaccinated passengers must undergo a 14-day self-quarantine. If authorities consider them low-risk, these individuals can leave their homes once a day to go to the closest location to obtain food, medical supplies, or medical services or conduct financial transactions. Additionally, fully vaccinated individuals can further shorten their mandatory quarantine period by taking an approved PCR test after their arrival and obtaining a negative result. Other entry and quarantine requirements for travelers are: Citizens and legal residents: Travelers are required to complete self-quarantine; if considered high-risk, they may be required to take an additional PCR or antigen test upon arrival. Nonresident business travelers: Individuals traveling for business purposes will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival and must self-quarantine at their accommodation while awaiting the results. If the test is negative, they can end the quarantine, but only to obtain essential goods and conduct their business meetings. Otherwise, they must remain at their place of accommodation. If the test is positive, they must continue to isolate. Nonresidents staying in the Resilient Corridor: Travelers for tourism purposes staying at approved locations in the Resilient Corridor may be subject to testing upon arrival. In those cases, they must wait for the test result within their hotel rooms. If they test negative or are not subject to testing upon arrival, they may leave their hotel room and resort, provided they remain in the Resilient Corridor. This area includes the northern coast from Negril, Westmoreland, to Port Antonio, Portland, and the southern coast from Milk River, Clarendon, to Negril. Nonresidents staying outside the Resilient Corridor: Travelers on non-business purposes and not staying in the Resilient Corridor must self-quarantine for eight days if fully vaccinated, or 14 days if not fully vaccinated, regardless of a negative COVID-19 test result. All travelers assessed to be high risk may be subject to additional health tests at the airport. Travelers with a positive COVID-19 test result will be required to isolate at home or an approved government facility for 14 days. Authorities could further tighten, extend, ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks. Advice Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Resources World Health Organization (WHO) Jamaica Information Service Travel Guidelines Traveler Authorization Alert begins: 07/01/2021 Warning Alerts Health: COVID-19 activity continues across several Caribbean countries and territories as of June 24. Maintain basic health precautions. Incident: COVID-19 transmission Location(s): Caribbean (map) Date: May 2021-June 2021 Transmission: Respiratory (coughing, sneezing, speaking) Summary Several countries and territories continue to report COVID-19 transmission as of June 24. The following countries and territories have identified confirmed COVID-19 May 27-June 24. Countries are classified by risk of transmission according to the incidence rate over the past four weeks: Very high risk of transmission Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Martin Trinidad and Tobago High risk of transmission Aruba Bahamas Bonaire British Virgin Islands Cuba Dominican Republic Guadeloupe Martinique Saint-Barthelemy Sint Maarten Saint Vincent and the Grenadines US Virgin Islands Saint Lucia Moderate risk of transmission Jamaica Puerto Rico Low risk of transmission Antigua and Barbuda Barbados Bermuda Cayman Islands Curacao Dominica Haiti Turks and Caicos Islands Background and Analysis COVID-19 is a viral respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Human-to-human transmission does occur, primarily through respiratory droplets from infected individuals or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Symptoms occur 1-14 days following exposure (average of 3-7 days). These symptoms typically include fever, fatigue, and dry cough; less common symptoms include headache, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, reddening of the eyes, skin rash, or discoloration of the fingers or toes. Symptoms may worsen to difficulty breathing, pneumonia, and organ failure - especially in those with underlying, chronic medical conditions. Some infected individuals display no symptoms. Multiple variants of COVID-19 have been identified globally, some of which spread more easily between people. COVID-19 vaccines are being distributed to frontline workers and the elderly in some countries, while other vaccines are in varying stages of development and clinical trials; more data is required to determine the efficacy of vaccines against COVID-19 variants. Older individuals and people of any age with chronic medical conditions or compromised immunity should consider postponing nonessential travel, including domestic travel, and take special precautions to avoid becoming ill, especially where sustained community transmission of COVID-19 is ongoing. All individuals should monitor their health and limit interactions with others for 14 days after returning from travel. Advice Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease; however, several COVID-19 vaccines have been made available and distributed in some countries. Monitor government vaccination schedules,

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