Last Updated on October 3, 2020, 6:22 AM AST by Anthony Morris
American Airlines is planning to launch preflight COVID-19 testing on certain flights in the Caribbean region.
The plan will begin with preflight COVID-19 testing for customers travelling to Jamaica and The Bahamas.
Jamaica will be the first destination, with American Airlines has reached an agreement with Jamaica to launch an initial testing program at Miami International Airport next month.
The initial phase of that program will be for Jamaican residents travelling home. If a passenger would test negative for COVID-19 ahead of flying with America, the current 14-day quarantine in place for returning Jamaican nationals would be waived.
Following a successful pilot program, American aims to open the testing protocol to all passengers who are travelling to Jamaica, including the US citizens.
Ambassador of Jamaica to the United States, Audrey Marks, thanked American Airlines for making these efforts for ensuring the safety of the travellers from the US, and for leading with Jamaica as a pilot for its COVID-19 testing program.
She said that the stop of the airline is timely, as the government is reviewing the current protocols governing travel to Jamaica with the cooperation with the Global Initiative for Health and Safety group.
It can be a game-changer, not only for tourism but also for other vital sectors of the economy which are negatively impacted by the pandemic.
American Airlines is also working with The Bahamas and CARICOM to launch similar testing programs.
The next program would be with The Bahamas, with similar plans to launch next month.
Minister of Tourism and Aviation for the Bahamas, Dionisio D’Aguilar, said that they are pleased that American Airlines included The Bahamas in the preflight testing program and for their continued commitment to slowing down the spread of coronavirus.
He added that Miami is a primary gateway to The Bahamas, and they believe pre-departure testing would create significant efficiencies while ensuring the health and safety of both our visitors and residents.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
