Jamaica Is Lifting All Travel Restrictions

Visiting Jamaica’s stunning beaches and breathtaking waterfalls is about to get easier. Effective April 16, the Caribbean island will remove many of its pandemic-related travel rules.

International travelers will no longer need to show a negative COVID-19 antigen or PCR test (which previously had to be taken within 72 hours before departure). Furthermore, the requirement for masks in indoor public spaces will be lifted on April 15.

“Abolishing mask mandates and the necessity for travelers to show a negative COVID test is a significant step towards our ongoing gradual easing of travel protocols as COVID-19 continues to decline,” stated Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s tourism minister, in a press release. “We are hopeful that these more straightforward requirements will enhance Jamaica’s appeal as a top destination and help us progress toward a stronger recovery for both the tourism industry and the nation’s economy overall.”

Border control will not check vaccination records—everyone is welcome to enter the country, regardless of their vaccination status.

One pandemic-related measure that will remain in place is the requirement for public venues to offer hand sanitizer or provide facilities for guests to wash their hands.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently reclassified Jamaica (along with several other Caribbean nations like Haiti and Saint Kitts and Nevis) to a Level 1 designation, indicating low coronavirus case numbers. However, the CDC advises travelers to stay up to date on vaccinations and wear a well-fitting mask in indoor settings while traveling.