Ja imposes UK travel restriction
Published:Saturday | March 14, 2020 | 12:00 AM
A travel restriction has been placed on people travelling from the United Kingdom to Jamaica. The order takes effect today.
Dunstan Bryan, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health & Wellness, said that the travel restrictions were similar to those imposed by Jamaica on eight countries since the rapid global spread of the novel coronavirus
“Only citizens and persons who have residency or long-stay arrangements or marriage exemptions will be landed in the country. All other persons will not be landed at this time,” Bryan said yesterday at a press conference held at Jamaica House to update the country on the Holness administration’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.
The permanent secretary also explained that persons who arrive in Jamaica from the United Kingdom would now be required to be quarantined.
He said that persons who enter the country from the UK with symptoms of the virus would either be quarantined in a facility or at home for 14 days.
Yesterday, The Gleaner sought a reaction from British High Commissioner Asif Ahmad to the travel restriction imposed on his country.
“This travel restriction is understandable as the Government of the day must prioritise the health and well-being of the country during this COVID-19 outbreak,” he said.
The top UK diplomat in Jamaica said he has been in close communication with the Jamaican Government on the matter.
“Our challenge now is to address the needs of those who need to return to the UK. We are urging British citizens currently in Jamaica who have to travel to make appropriate arrangements with their airlines while cautioning that flight disruptions are likely. We face a global reality of a pandemic and a responsible approach is needed by both Government and the public,” he added.