US State Department reiterates Level 3 travel advisory for Jamaica

Jamaica's Ambassador to the United States Audrey Marks has welcomed what she says is the softening of the language of the US State Department in its latest travel advisory on the country, even as the island remains at Level 3.

A Level 3 designation means US citizens should reconsider travelling to a country.

In the July 25 advisory, the State Department reiterated that Americans should reconsider travel to Jamaica due to crime. 

It continued to urged citizens to exercise increased caution regarding medical services.

“Violent crime occurs throughout Jamaica. Tourist areas generally see lower rates of violent crime than other parts of the country. The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica is among the highest in the Western Hemisphere. Armed robberies and sexual assaults are common. The US Embassy routinely receives reports of sexual assaults, including from US citizen tourists at resorts. US citizens report slow or unsatisfactory response to serious criminal incidents. When arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted to a final verdict and sentence,” read a section of the advisory.

“US citizens should not expect the same level of health care available in Jamaica as is available in the United States. This includes generally lower levels of emergency service response times or routine care for illness or injury. Private hospitals require payment up front before admitting patients and may not have the ability to provide specialised care. Ambulance services are not always staffed with EMTs or always readily available, especially in rural areas. US citizens should bring extra prescription medication as common medications such as insulin can be

Marks told The Gleaner that although the advisory remains at Level Three, the state department has softened its language as it has put the country's health care system at a Level 2.

“It is not where we want to be but it is an improvement,” said Marks.

She said that discussions between the Jamaican government and the US Department of State are ongoing.

“We are making progress and crime continues to be the major concern,” she said, noting that the state department is looking at the overall Jamaican crime statistics in making its call.

Marks noted that whereas last year about five US tourists were impacted by crime, so for this year none has been recorded.

- Lester Hinds

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