Conspiracy theory - JHTA accuses Gov't of delaying entry approval to visitors

From the Observer:

"Initially, the membership of the JHTA were under the impression that the delay in authorisation stemmed from the increased number of American states where pre-testing was required.

“We thought because of pre-testing for only four states to testing 50 states was the problem and that maybe they just didn't have persons to manually review the actual test results. The test upload to say 'yes, it is negative, yes it is by a certified laboratory which is one of the requirements,” the JHTA said.


But, according to the JHTA, its members are claiming that they have received information that the delay in authorisation is a direct ploy by the Government to reduce the number of travellers to the island in a bid to slow down the spread of COVID-19 cases, which is currently spiking in Jamaica.

“We are understanding that there is a move by the Government to literally not approve these applications to slow down arrivals into the country. Now, this is irresponsible because this is happening to visitors and Jamaicans who have booked their flights, who have gone through the process, just waiting for authorisation to come to Jamaica. People have invested money and time in their travel and the Government has literally taken the eye off the ball simply to slow down, if not stop the arrival of thousands of people without honestly calling them or putting a statement out to say that the country is not accepting as many persons that they would normally accept,” the tourism stakeholders said.


The tourism players conceded that Government should be concerned about the spike in the number of COVID-19 cases, but argued that tourism is not responsible for the spike."

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/lates...al_to_visitors

If they are so motivated this doesn't sound like the way they would do it. Why not simply reject some proportion of the applications - that would be a simpler and more precise process. I don't buy it.

May have not been the original plan but certainly is the unintended or intended consequence. Some things are just as they appear but everything can be made into a conspiracy. Especially in Jamaica.

Sent an email on the visits Jamaica website after reading the posts on here about delays with the receiving approvals in time and also can I apply 5 days from the departure or arrival date for the authorization . They were very awesome answered right away they said they are aware of the delays and are working on fixing the problem and for anyone on a red eye like me u can apply 5 days prior to departure not arrival for the travel authorization .