REGION – Jamaica Govt considers controlled re-entry for stranded nationals

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Prime Minister Andrew Holness says Government is considering reopening the island’s ports for the controlled re-entry of Jamaicans who have been stranded overseas since the ports were closed to stem the spread of COVID-19 just over two weeks ago.

Jamaica closed its borders to incoming passengers on March 24. Since then, there have been several calls by Jamaicans who have been stranded at sea and overseas for them to be allowed to re-enter.

Holness said while he understands the plight of these citizens, “it cannot be a wholesale re-entry”.

He said a large-scale re-entry would put a strain on public health workers and the country’s resources and would require a massive logistics operation.

“Opening up the borders again depends on how well we get totally under control this unknown population that came in, and how they’re keeping faithful to the quarantine requirements and reporting. We need to understand their health status before we take in new populations, which would stretch the resources,” the Prime Minister said.

Holness said the Government has been considering establishing certain protocols that would allow re-entry.

“Those protocols would entail State quarantine, and for that to happen we need to establish the rooms. We do have some rooms, but certainly not enough, and we are trying to expand that very rapidly,” he pointed out.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister said, an end-to-end protocol would also have to be in place that would require that those incoming Jamaicans, upon arrival, be taken to a quarantine site and be isolated from the population in a controlled manner.

“All of that requires a massive logistics operation. I’ve asked the Minister of National Security and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade to pull together that kind of logistics coordination and give it ministerial oversight,” he indicated.

In the meantime, the Prime Minister reminded Jamaicans and foreigners that the country’s borders remain open for the movement of cargo.

“There is a view that our borders are closed generally, and it is having an impact on trade and the movement of cargo. I want to take this opportunity to say that none of the Orders that we have put in place has in any way limited or restricted the movement of cargo and trade,” he said.

“Our [sea] ports and airports are open, wide open now to cargo. In fact, send in all the cargo and send out all the cargo; let’s keep the economy turning over,” the Prime Minister emphasized.

Jamaica has 63 confirmed COVID-19 cases. (CMC)