Last Updated on September 13, 2021, 7:05 AM AST by Renaldo St Juste
Carnival Cruise Line is scheduled to reach Ocho Rios today. The vessel would have nearly 1,700 passengers onboard.
Minister of Tourism Edmund Barlett said that the cruise would be the 3rd cruise to reach Jamaica since the cruise tourism was opened in August 2021. The imposition of non-movement days has been decided under the Disaster Risk Management Act. This decision was taken after consulting with the Carnival Cruise Line schedule for their cruise season.
Minister said that before this, two cruise arrivals in August were successfully completed, and all the required protocols agreed on with the cruise line were also strictly observed and monitored.
Minister Bartlett said that the COVID-19 protocols would be strictly monitored, and this would be in place during the arrival of the cruise. The cruise visitor those would be arriving on the island are permitted to visit the establishments those are in the resilient corridors. The corridors that have been certified by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo). The visitors could only use the transportation those would be having the transportation licensed by under the Tourist Board Act.
Minister Bartlett said, “Carnival Sunrise has to meet strict measures governing the restart of cruise shipping, requiring approximately 95% of passengers and crew to be fully vaccinated and for all passengers to provide evidence of negative results from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of sailing. In the case of unvaccinated passengers, such as children, a PCR test is mandated, and all passengers are also screened and tested (antigen) on embarkation.”
Minister Bartlett also emphasized that the port of call has met protocols laid down by the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the cruise companies, with TPDCo also monitoring conformity to the rules.
Minister Bartlett added that the decision was made after discussion among the Cabinet. The cruise was called on the no-movement day to respect their agreement with the Jamaican government.
Renaldo St Juste, with his connection across the regions excels in providing all the regional updates from across the caribbean nation. His reporting majorly includes covering entertainment, crime and sports.
