Jamaica reduces isolation period to 5 days for US travellers

Kingston: As per the amended COVID protocols, the Jamaican government has reduced the isolation time period to 5 days for the United States travellers who contracts novel coronavirus in the island country. The isolation period will commence just after an individual is tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Although, the quarantine period will be of ten days, which is must to be completed. An individual will be permitted to exit the isolation time period if one is asymptomatic or possesses mild symptoms, according to the recommendation of the healthcare staff.  This decision came after the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - CDC, announced the new recommendations. CDC on Tuesday moved Jamaica to level 3 category from level 2. Jamaican Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, cites, "We are very glad to be able to offer the visitors of the United States, who test positive while on the island the possibility of a shorter isolation period in keeping with the new CDC guidelines". "Our country remains open for business and continues to welcome visitors safely through our comprehensive Jamaica CARES program. Our Jamaica CARES protocols were developed to be agile and adapt to changes in the marketplace. We can now offer potentially decreased isolation times to give even more peace of mind to anyone considering a visit to Jamaica," following the statement, the tourism minister added.   The Jamaica CARES program, which is a COVID-19 response, includes the whole healthcare and the safety health protocols and guidelines, covering more than 80% of the island country's tourism product.  The other countries that have been moved from level 2 to level 3 travel category are - Costa Rica, Cuba, Fiji, Gabon, Kuwait, Madagascar, Mauritania, Nigeria, Saint Pierre and Miquelon and Togo. Meanwhile, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Morocco, Paraguay, the Philippines, Saba, Saint Barthélemy, Sint Eustatius and Uganda moved from level 1 to level 3 category.