Thanks for your input Rob
I will be there in Nov to help the local people in my small way
Thanks for your input Rob
I will be there in Nov to help the local people in my small way
The meeting yesterday was relaxed and informal on Zoom, a nice change from the usual formal "Robert's Rules of Order" style meeting. It gave a clear perspective that we are all working toward the same goal, the reopening of tourism in Negril.
To the specific questions and comments from yesterday, I will address those in order.
Ronnie, there will be no mandatory quarantine of visitors. It was joked that would be a perfect way to completely ruin a week vacation.
Marko, it was brought up how pristine and big the beach has become. Nature at its finest! No need for man to interfere.
RyanP - we still haven't heard from the government about the opening of sit down restaurants. But social distancing and hand sanitizing will be the rule of the day. There is still debate on the number of people per table, if a group is already been closely socializing, does it make sense to separate them at dinner? All taxis will be required to carry half or less of the number of people their vehicle is licensed for. For instance a 5 passenger vehicle would be required to carry no more than two. This will be tough on the route taxis. Your airport question will be answered in Monty & Melo's.
VVHT - The hotels, restaurant and bars will be required to obtain their own supply of masks, gloves and sanitizing equipment. Apparently a new customs ruling requires a hired agent to clear all packages from the wharf, so that will probably add to the cost of importing sanitizing equipment. All tourism properties are to be inspected by TPDCo before they can reopen. And I was correct, your last questions were too existential for any real meaningful answer.
Monty & Melo - I think a cut & paste answer will be the best:
Maybe they could consider setting up a tourism sector...Enter at MBJ and then travel straight to Negril with no deviance from the path. According to The Gleaner, there are only 10 cases from St. James to Westmoreland. (St. James - 8, Hanover - 0, Westmoreland - 2). - Jamaica doesn't want to cut off from business opportunity the roadside stops, jerk huts, bars, etc. along the road to Negril. By having the local businesses use PPE and follow distancing and sanitation guidelines, the risks should be minimized. By the time you have left the airport, you have been screened boarding your plane and screened once again arriving in Jamaica.
What requirements will there be to enter into the country? Masks or other PPE? - Your airline will have their requirements which you will follow, once in Sangster you will see all staff using PPE (masks and gloves)
What will the screening process be? - Thermal scanners will be used to detect fevers. Anyone appearing sick will be directed to the medical staff. The usual detectors as well as the bins will be sanitized after each person using a high speed sanitation process.
Cleaning kiosks between travelers? It seems safer to use a sanitized kiosk as opposed to a face-to-face meeting with the immigration officer. - The touch screens will be sanitized after each use, screens will be used to reduce the face to face interactions.
Spacing between people in line for immigration and customs? - get used to those little round stickers on the floor spaced 6 feet apart...
Will restaurants be open? - yes, but no one is sure exactly what they will look like inside. But there will be more round stickers on the floor.
Will there be a curfew in place? - The curfew hours after Labour Day weekend will be eased to 9pm to 5am. With flights arriving at all times, by the time the borders are open, there should be no curfew on being out at night.
Flhrbill - masks will be voluntary for guests. For most workers they will be mandatory.
Airswift - 10 more recoveries yesterday, no new deaths to report. The Jamaican contact tracing is working!
Negril.com - For the vacation that never ends!
Thank you for all this great information, Rob! Just a clarification on my suggestion regarding traveling directly to Negril...I didn't mean no stopping, just not going outside these parishes since their numbers are so low. Was there any mention of a reopening date they are shooting for? I know this isn't a governing body but I am assuming they are sending their recommendations and requests to the government who will be making the decisions.
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