The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has approved new travel rules to be updated by the end of August. The update includes a number of changes including an expanded list of countries eligible for entry into the region, more stringent tests for tuberculosis and Zika virus, as well as updates to electronic records requirements.
The “visit jamaica” is a new update to the COVID-19 that allows travelers from the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and more Caribbean destinations to visit each other’s countries without needing a visa.
The Dominican Republic has become the latest country to lift COVID-19 limitations, as it joins a growing number of Caribbean island nations in allowing visitors back to boost tourism.
Reuters News Service reports that the Dominican Republic government has lifted public health restrictions despite failing to fulfill a previously stated goal of getting 70% of the country’s citizens inoculated against the virus.
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This includes the need to wear a mask as well as vaccination checks in public places like restaurants and hotels.
President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic remarked on social media and in a televised speech that “it is time to reclaim all our liberties and way of life.”
According to Dominican Republic Health Minister Daniel Rivera, a global decline in positive cases and mortality rates encouraged authorities to lift the ban.
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The Dominican Republic was not the first Caribbean country to begin relaxing COVID-19 laws in order to encourage tourism, which is the lifeblood of most island nations.
Beginning March 1, visitors to Jamaica will no longer need a Travel Authorization or travel-related quarantine procedures.
A negative COVID-19 test (antigen or PCR) done within 72 hours previous to the day of travel will still be required at check-in for children 12 years and older.
The island of St. Maarten has set a March 1 deadline for transitioning from pandemic to endemic status. Visitors who have been completely vaccinated or who have recovered from COVID-19 in the previous nine months are no longer required to present documentation of a negative test upon arrival. Unvaccinated tourists will still be required to submit a negative PCR test or an antigen test within 48 hours of their arrival.
Two weeks after relaxing its requirements for foreign tourists, Aruba authorities announced that limitations would be lifted, allowing restaurants and businesses to resume regular working hours and capacity without restriction.
Check out the podcast with island specialists Brian Major and JetSetSarah for additional information on new entrance regulations in the Caribbean.
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