Government reverses earlier decision; all tourists now to be tested for COVID-19

Faced with pressure from various sectors of society, the Government has now announced that as of Monday, all tourists and Jamaicans arriving in the island will be tested for the COVID-19 coronavirus. Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett made the disclosure this evening while speaking at a virtual media briefing.

“All visitors and local alike who are coming in as of the 15^th (June) will be tested. The secondly source market will be the USA primarily and some from Canada,” said Minister Bartlett.

Earlier today, the Parliamentary Opposition said it supported the call by the Medical Association of  Jamaica (MAJ) for mandatory coronavirus testing for tourists when the country reopens to international travellers on Monday.

MAJ President, Dr Andrew Manning, said arrangements could also be made for source countries to organize testing before the passengers leave.

Opposition Spokesman on Health, Dr Morais Guy, said pre-testing would provide a greater sense of  security to travellers as well as tourism workers.

More than five thousand visitors are booked to arrive in Jamaica in the first two weeks of  international flights being allowed back into the country.