Travelling to Jamaica During a Pandemic

Hey Loves! Y’all… Have we not been through it this year? I mean, this is my first blog post of 2020. Like all of you, I have been stressing, worrying, trying not to panic, trying not to eat everything in sight, just to get through this scary time. I hope you all have been keeping safe, following the rules and hopefully we will soon get back to the days when we were catching flights on a regular basis!

For me, travel came a lot sooner than I expected. Although I promised myself that I was going to lay low in 2020, my spirit just needed a little break. I was hesitant to book a trip. What if our government decided on a lockdown and my return flight was cancelled? After all, we are in a second wave. But after doing some research, I decided on a week in Jamaica. I also chose Jamaica because if I got stuck there, I have plenty of family who I could connect with until I was able to return home.

Let me just first note, this post is from a Canadian perspective. I realize currently there are different rules for higher risk countries like the United States, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Mexico and Panama. I know for those countries you need to produce a negative Covid test before entry. For Canadians, a Covid test is not necessary. We have to fill out a Travel Authorization Form online within 5 days of travel to Jamaica. They need to know information like where you’ll be staying, do you have any Covid like symptoms etc. Once you submit the form, if everything checks out, you’ll get an approval within minutes. Download and keep that approval letter handy, as you will need to show it to immigration in Jamaica.

Most airports are very empty at the moment. In terms of Covid protocols in the airport, only the person travelling is allowed in the airport in Toronto. So you have to say good bye to your loved ones from outside. Once checked in, you will have your temperature checked before you get to airport security. And this goes without saying, masks must be worn at all times and there are ‘Leave this seat empty’ stickers on airport lounge chairs to ensure social distancing rules are being followed. Although masks are still mandatory throughout the whole flight, there really isn’t any rules anymore with social distancing. Airlines are no longer leaving the middle seat empty, so depending on your flight, you might be seated right next to someone. Luckily for me, I flew with Sunwing, and had a whole row to myself! Yasss! There is limited food service; however they do come around once to offer a beverage. Of course people will have to lower their mask in order to eat or drink, so that is something you’ll need to think about, if you are thinking about taking a flight.

Once you arrive in Jamaica, you will have to line up to have your temperature checked again. Following that check, you’ll need to line up again to sit with a Jamaican Health Professional in order to have a health assessment conducted. They also confirm that you will be quarantining within the Resilient Corridor in Jamaica. The Resilient Corridor has two parts. It stretches from Negril in Westmoreland across the Northern Coastline of Port Antonio in Portland. The Southern segment runs from Milk River in Clarendon westward to Negril. This corridor pretty much covers the usual vacation spots like Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Negril. If I’m 100% honest with you, this is a long process and you can be in the line for hours. Especially when more than one plane lands at the same time, you can be in a line 200-300 people deep. So pack your patience.

**This is some Black girl joy right here!**

Tired of wearing your mask yet? Well… you still can’t take it off. Throughout the Jamaican airport, masks are mandatory as well. While you are in your approved Covid19 Resilient certified transportation to get to your resort, masks are still mandatory. Once you get to your hotel, and in the lobby checking in, your mask is still mandatory! Do you get it yet?! Your mask really shouldn’t come off until you have arrived in your room in your resort. I think that might have been the longest that I’ve consecutively worn a mask. After a while I just wanted to rip it off, but at the end of the day, if I’m keeping myself safe, and keeping the locals in Jamaica safe…it must be done.

**I mean…. what more do I need? My own pool and a mango…..Bliss I tell ya!**

Resort Life

As much as I had a wonderful time at Ocean Coral Spring Hotel, you have to understand that everything is not as it once was at resorts. You need to understand this before deciding to travel. Right now, most resorts are running at 50% or less capacity. In terms of social distancing, that is great! However, when it comes to your favourite restaurants being open…not so much. Because of the lowered capacity, there just isn’t enough people to justify having all the restaurants open every night. So you might miss out on some of your favourite meals.

**This is how cutlery is served in many of the restaurants.**

If you are accustomed to getting a little loving when you go away on vacation….this might not be the time for you. Although we are all adults here and you can do whatever you want, I just don’t know if during a pandemic is the best time to get your groove back with a stranger. No judgements here if that’s your thing!!! Hehehehe… As for me, I usually go to dinner then head back to my room to read a few Bible scriptures. Ha!

Jamaica relies heavily on tourism. So it was no surprise for me as to how safe I felt at my resort. Masks were worn by all employees at all times including the entertainment staff who mainly work outdoors. Upon arrival at the resort, all bags were sanitized before entering the lobby. Temperature checks were also required before entering into any restaurants, and the seating in the restaurants were socially distanced. They have even done away with Welcome Kits and menus and now use QR scan to access information about the hotel and restaurant menus. I realize that I can be very extra at times (I see you all nodding your heads!) so this time around I actually booked a room with a swim out pool. I figured A. the pics would be great for the gram and B. If you were really worried about not being around other people, this is a great idea. And since the hotel wasn’t at full capacity, I had no neighbours, so I really socially distanced on this trip. All jokes aside, if you can afford to pay a little extra, this is a great option to ensure you’ll have your own space.

**QR Code at all restaurants to get the menu. No more paper menus.**

**Heaven. Ocean Coral Spring is just stunning.**

You are considered quarantining by being at the resort. You can roam freely at your resort. You are allowed to do tours, however they must be booked with an approved Covid19 Resilient certified company. You are not allowed to just walk on the streets, and take public transportation etc. You can be fined if caught. There is also a 9pm curfew (at the time I was there). So there are no clubs or afterhours spots open for you to enjoy.

The entertainment staff will do their best to build a vibe for you at night so you can still enjoy your trip, and if you keep an open mind, you can still have a blast.

**This hotel even has its own bowling alley. I didn’t try it because I had on press on nails, and I couldn’t take the embarrassment of my nail flying off !**

Stay safe loves. We will get through this!

Things You Should Know

Ocean Coral Spring Resort located in Trelawny, and is a brand new 5 Star Hotel that opened up in the beginning of 2020 and it is lovely. Their Entertainment staff is top notch and full of vibes! If you visit Ocean Coral, look out for Bryan Groovazz, Peanut and DJ Squid… pure vibes from morning till night!

When you arrive at the airport and you are assessed, you still may have to take a Covid test if you are deemed as a risk. So be prepared.

Although the restaurants still offer buffets, you are now required to wear your mask when getting food. The food is now behind a glass partition, and you are now served the food instead of you serving it yourself.

Just know you will be sanitizing your life away. To get into restaurants, sanitize. In the lobby? Sanitize. You get the point!

On my way home, my plane had electrical issues so they cancelled the flight. I ended up going to Riu Reggae for a night. They had an actual machine (similar to the one in the Toronto airport) to check temperatures before you are allowed to even step into the lobby. Jamaica takes Covid-19 seriously folks…they don’t play!

For Canadians, upon your return home, you will have to quarantine for 14 days. They have now introduced the ArriveCAN app. You have to download this app when entering Canada from an international destination. You have to add your location that you will quarantine at. Every single day, you will need to log into this app and do a very quick health assessment. You are not allowed to leave your quarantine location for 14 days. So if you do not work from home, this can be a challenge.

Jamaica was supposed to start charging every tourist to the island a mandatory insurance fee. The $40 US fee is part of the Jamaica Cares program to cover emergency medical services. It covers travellers against illness, Covid-19, and natural disasters during their stay in Jamaica. Although this was rumoured to begin in November, I wasn’t charged on my trip. Maybe they’re still working out logistics, but something to keep in mind.