By Caribbean News Global contributor
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The government of Jamaica has extended the travel ban on flights coming from the UK until Sunday, January 31, 2021.
Additionally, all non-Jamaicans who have been in the UK within the last 14 days prior to intended arrival date in Jamaica, who may seek to enter the island through another country will not be permitted to enter Jamaica.
Jamaicans who have been in the UK within the 14 days prior to intended arrival date, who seek to enter the island through another country will be tested and placed in State quarantine for a minimum of 48 hours until the results are returned. If negative, they will be allowed to transfer to home quarantine to complete the 14 day mandatory quarantine period. If positive, they will be transferred to isolation at a location that is approved by the ministry of health and wellness.
“The ministry of health and wellness is monitoring the situation in the UK, including the outcomes of virological investigations, while preparing for an expected surge in local cases of COVID-19. These factors will influence the ministry’s recommendation regarding the lifting of the travel ban,” minister of health and wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton said.
The ministry of health and wellness said it will continue to work with the various airlines to support the repatriation of UK residents, who are in the island and wish to return to the UK. Cargo flights from the UK will continue to be exempted from the travel ban.
On January 4, 2021, prime minister Boris Johnson announced the UK third national lockdown expected to last until the middle of February.
“The restrictions will come into effect January 5, 2021, and are expected to last until the middle of February if the situation in hospitals improve.”
The full details on what you can and cannot do are available here.
UK third national lockdown expected to last until the middle of February
Meanwhile, Jamaica continues to respond to COVID-19, is building two COVID-19 field hospitals to be completed by end of January. The two 36-bed facilities are being built at a cost of approximately $199 million by Rogers Land Development Limited. Both hospitals will feature the necessary health infrastructure, equipment and personnel to respond to COVID-19.
As reported by the JIS, the two 36-bed facilities are among four field hospitals being established across the island to provide 152 additional bed spaces to facilitate the treatment of persons with the coronavirus (COVID-19).
A 40-bed facility will be based at the Mandeville Regional Hospital, in Manchester, while the other 40-bed field hospital has already been set up at the National Chest Hospital in the Corporate Area.
