Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1468083
B M & T ••• May/June 2022 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 37 CARIBBEAN CORNER BARTLETT WELCOMES END TO PRE-ARRIVAL COVID TESTING REQUIREMENT Mask Mandate Will Also End E ffective since April 16, 2022, international visitors to Jamaica will no longer be required to present a nega- tive result from a COVID-19 Antigen or PCR test conducted within 72 hours prior to their travel to enter the island. Additionally, Jamaica's mandate to wear a mask in enclosed public spaces also ended in April. "Eliminating mask mandates and the need for travelers to present a negative COVID test result are important strides toward our continued gradual relaxation of travel protocols as the spread of COVID-19 keeps declining," said the Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica. "We are opti- mistic that these simpler requirements will serve to increase the appeal of Jamaica as a premier destination and keep us moving along the road to a stronger recovery for both the tourism sector and the nation's economy as a whole." All other public health measures remain in place, including the requirement for public establishments to provide hand washing stations or hand sanitizing equipment for anyone entering the premises. Visitors and residents are also encour- aged to continue to exercise caution and observe best prac- tices for health and safety. Jamaica has recently eliminated travel-related quarantines and the requirement for travelers to complete and receive approval of a Travel Authorization Form for entry to the island. It also shortened the isolation period required for U.S. travelers who test positive for COVID-19 while in Jamaica, in keeping with CDC recommended guidelines, and eliminated quarantine restrictions for fully vaccinated business travelers who present a negative PCR test taken within 3 days of travel to Jamaica. "As we review our Jamaica CARES program and travel protocols regularly, taking these actions was the logical next step to keep Jamaica aligned with best practices globally," noted Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board. "Many destinations in the Caribbean region and around the world have been easing travel requirements, so this change will help us ensure that Jamaica retains its leader- ship position among the world's top tourism destinations." Just recently, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) downgraded Jamaica to a Level 1 designation in its latest COVID-19 travel advisory to citizens due to the country having low cases of the virus. Joining just a handful of countries around the world at Level 1, Jamaica's case levels have steadily decreased in recent months. The health and safety of every Jamaican and every visitor to the country remains the island's top priority through its comprehensive Jamaica CARES program. Jamaica CARES is a nationwide response to COVID-19 that includes the island's comprehensive health and safety protocols which were among the first to receive the World Travel & Tourism Council's Safe Travels recognition and allowed the island to safely reopen in June of 2020. For more information about Jamaica, go to www.visitja- maica.com. LONG AWAITED CARIBBEAN TRAVEL MARKETPLACE SLATED FOR PUERTO RICO IN OCTOBER Caribbean tourism stakeholders are abuzz at the announcement by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) that its bedrock Caribbean Travel Marketplace (CTM), which brings together buyers and sellers of the region's tourism products, will be hosted by Puerto Rico between October 3 and 5 this year. "The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant pent-up desire for fellowship with regional colleagues and business connections from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and elsewhere," said Nicola Madden-Greig, President of CHTA. "Over the past two years, there have been numerous changes across our destinations, which have added new products and services. Many hotels and attractions have undergone major renovations so this will be the time to find out in great detail all that the Caribbean now has to