Clarification on new travel rules starting October 10

There is a lot of discussion about the new travel rules coming up October 10. The JTB website has been updated only to the extent that it now shows October 9 instead of October 6. No other wording has changed there.

The reason for this is that the next DRM (Disaster Risk Management) will be order number 14 and has not yet been drafted. But starting October 10th, it will be much easier to travel to Jamaica.

Travelers from high risk countries and/or areas are still required to pre-test negative before boarding their flight. PCR and the faster and cheaper antigen tests will both be permissible based on WHO/PAHO guidelines. This should make testing much easier.

You will NOT need to upload it before you travel, but simply present it along with your other travel authorization documents (passports, tickets, etc.) when you check in. You will not be allowed to board without a negative test no more than you could without a passport.

These measures should be in place from October 10th to October 31st.

The automatic Covid health insurance is still in final negotiation stage which explains the lack of details. It should be a major game changer for Jamaican tourism and the Jamaican health system. If finalized by November 1st, then that will require a new DRM order number 15 to be drafted.

We are still waiting on the actual wording of DRM 14, so until then, this is as much as we can know.

Thanks Rob for bringing us the current info with as much clarity that’s available. Gives me hope that we may be able to come home sometime soon. Stay safe, love to you and Lisa!

Thank you!

I am still hoping the new rules will allow me to stay at more than one hotel during a month long vacation. irie vibes

Thanks Rob,looks much easier for us to take care of for the Thanksgiving getaway!!

Thanks for the information. I happen to the traveling on the 10th, uploaded my negative test results Monday. Still waiting on Pre-travel authorization from JA govt. Is the authorization form still required going forward? A bit concerned I haven’t received it!

Sandytoes,

You are right on the new policy date. You are not required to have any Travel Authorization so I doubt you will get one.

Go to the JTB website and ask them directly. I think that you are good to go.

Unable to get through to tourist board. Received email from AA stating Travellers must complete travel authorization form online, which I have done. States nothing about having to show the form at check in. Sigh! Hopefully if proof of completion is needed, it will arrive in time to make my flight.

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Originally Posted by sandytoes

Unable to get through to tourist board. Received email from AA stating Travellers must complete travel authorization form online, which I have done. States nothing about having to show the form at check in. Sigh! Hopefully if proof of completion is needed, it will arrive in time to make my flight.

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Why are you unable to get through, here is the link.

https://www.visitjamaica.com/travelauthorization/

Scroll down until you see this:

Attachment 55315

Fill it out and ask them. They are the JTB. AA may not be giving you the correct information. Go to the source and receive the updated information.

Thank you Rob.
Emailed JTB support team.

Sent two emails to JTB support via visitjamaica.com, sent text via WhatsApp to number provided in this forum, no response as yet.

Prime Minister spoke before Parliament Tuesday providing the changes to testing requirements. Beginning Saturday Oct 10 uploading test results is not required, must bring a copy with you to present at airport. Travel authorizations are still required.

Hoping I receive approval by midnight tomorrow October 9, otherwise looks like I will need to cancel my vacay. Life is funny sometimes, never know what may happen. Keeping positive vibes and hoping for the best!

As of 2am October 9, the JTB website is still showing that a Travel Authorization is REQUIRED!

I tried to submit another application just now, as my original application submitted Oct 5 still shows pending and the website response is that it is TOO LATE to submit another application for a travel date of October 10; NOT ENOUGH TIME TO PROCESS process your application.

So now I retest and resubmit and go at a later date or just cancel! This is simply too much hassle!

There is much conflicting information on the JTB website. The dates are now showing October 10 to 31 as expected and the antigen test is mentioned on the main page. No mention of uploading the results.

But the Travel Authorization requirement is still there and the Travel Authorization page makes no mention of the antigen test AND still requires uploading of the PCR test.

There has been no new DRM as of this time, so by law, it would seem that nothing has changed.

Perhaps the website(s) just haven't been updated yet, but it is equally likely that the government caught flack from the Ministry of Health and is walking back the proposed changes. Either way, this is utter frustration for our visitors to have to go through.

I will be making calls today to see if some light can be shed on what is happening.

Sandytoes, the government said that they had caught up with all the approvals and would process all applications in two days. Obviously this is not the case. I do know people who have gotten the approval the day before travel, so maybe wait until noon or so before cancelling. But if you want to cancel now, it is completely understandable and you should not be in this position in the first place.

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Originally Posted by sandytoes

As of 2am October 9, the JTB website is still showing that a Travel Authorization is REQUIRED!

I tried to submit another application just now, as my original application submitted Oct 5 still shows pending and the website response is that it is TOO LATE to submit another application for a travel date of October 10; NOT ENOUGH TIME TO PROCESS process your application.

So now I retest and resubmit and go at a later date or just cancel! This is simply too much hassle!

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Sandytoes...just to clarify...is your original application from October 5th still showing as pending?
If your October 5th application is still pending....I would keep texting or phoning until I get a response.
Hoping for the best for you!!

Bnewb,

Yes my original application submitted Oct 5 still shows pending. At 4am this morning I email MOHW requesting approval. Flight leaves tomorrow! Very frustrating to say the least.

At 4:30 I received a response from JTB apologizing for the delayed processing. The representative stated he has asked for expedited review and approval.

I retired last week and planned to stay in JA for an extended period of time, not your normal vacation period.

Very annoying to not get a response/approval after following ALL requirements and just hours from scheduled departure.

Sure hope things get better/smoother for Travellers planning to come during high season. Sigh!

Called 3 times no answer at MOHW 876.633.7433 as posted on their website. Sent email at early this morning; no reply as yet.

JTB 876.542.6006 recorded message they are not accepting calls.

Application status still shows pending.

Just received travel authorization!!! 😎🇯🇲🌴🍺

One love!

Glad to hear you got it,that's cutting it to close!!

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Originally Posted by sandytoes

Just received travel authorization!!! 😎🇯🇲🌴🍺

One love!

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So happy for you!!
Enjoy!

That is great news!! I will be a nervous wreck if the same thing happens to us next month. I really appreciate you keeping us informed of the details of your authorization. Have a fantastic trip and please post pictures!

The test has to be done no more than 10 days from departure but is it still 5 days prior to departure before you can apply for the travel authorization

I see that the new protocols mention the exemption to the curfew for travelers. What about tourists over 65? Can they leave their resort?

Yes, it gives you 5 days to secure a test. The Antigen test takes much less than 5 days.

A test older than 10 days is pretty much useless.

You can begin to start your Travel Authorization starting 5 days before your travel. The authorization should come through much faster since the uploading issue has been removed.

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Originally Posted by Barb111

I see that the new protocols mention the exemption to the curfew for travelers. What about tourists over 65? Can they leave their resort?

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That is a great question, and from empirical evidence, tourists make that determination on their own.

The curfew for Jamaicans 65 and over is just that, for Jamaican citizens 65 and over.

The last bulletin says that the travel authorization is good for 10 days from date of issue so it would seem that you can get it earlier than 5 days before traveling but it is not clear on that

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Originally Posted by SANSAN

The last bulletin says that the travel authorization is good for 10 days from date of issue so it would seem that you can get it earlier than 5 days before traveling but it is not clear on that

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What bulletin where? If your test date is within 10 days of your flight, you will be fine. But if your test is over 10 days old and you have (say) 5 days left on your Authorization, you will not be able to board the flight.

Jamaica is trying to make it easier, don't make it harder for them.

See latest bulletin from yesterday and where it says that travel authorization is good for 10 days from date of approval
Attachment 55317

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Originally Posted by SANSAN

See latest bulletin from yesterday and where it says that travel authorization is good for 10 days from date of approval
Attachment 55317

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Well, that makes sense... authorization after 10 days is next to useless....

Great to know that as soon as you receive your negative test results you can apply for authorization. Hopefully no one will still be waiting on approval the day before departure.

Just tried to apply for the travel authorization six days out and it said I have to wait until tomorrow so it seems you are still not able to apply until five days before departure. Does not make much sense having a travel authorization that is good for 10 days but but can only apply five days before departure so possibly the application has not been updated yet or the bulletin is incorrect.

No, you can only apply a maximum
of 5 days before your flight.

The system is working as it should, apply tomorrow and let us know what happens.

And Sansan, you have seen people complaining about the changes to their flights, often without notice from the airlines.

The extra 5 days may be there to take into account these changes.

Rob, great point and maybe a reason not to have your test expire on the day you plan to travel. Weather or just about anything could cause a delay In arrival and your test is no longer valid.

Applied for Travel Authorization this morning (first day possible to do so) and received approval in less than five seconds from hitting the submit button. They must have caught up with the backlog or have streamlined the process to be more automated if there are no red flags in the application.

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Originally Posted by SANSAN

Applied for Travel Authorization this morning (first day possible to do so) and received approval in less than five seconds from hitting the submit button. They must have caught up with the backlog or have streamlined the process to be more automated if there are no red flags in the application.

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Thanks for sharing, SANSAN....great news! :eagerness: