The USA authorities has defended its stance on the current journey advisory for Jamaica, emphasizing the precedence of safeguarding its residents’ security and fulfilling its obligation to supply related data.
In an announcement posted on its social media platforms, the US Embassy in Kingston clarified that the advisory, up to date on January 23, was issued independently, with out correlation to some other occasions. It emphasised that the advisory stage remained constant at Degree 3, unchanged since March 2022.
The advisory replace “included evaluation of accidents, diseases, and deaths of US residents primarily based on a evaluate of well being companies and the medical care obtained when US residents are hospitalised,” the embassy stated.
Recognizing Jamaica’s significance as a outstanding vacationer vacation spot for US residents, the embassy affirmed its dedication to collaborating with the Jamaican authorities and native stakeholders to make sure the welfare of US residents and help the well-being of Jamaicans.
Underlining the US Division of State’s major concentrate on the security and safety of its residents overseas, the embassy underscored its accountability to disseminate pertinent data by means of journey advisories to US residents touring or residing abroad.
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Prime Minister questions timing
In an interview earlier this week with Journey Weekly alongside Sandals Resorts CEO Adam Stewart, Prime Minister Andrew Holness weighed in on the advisory, questioning the content material and timing.
“This got here out of left discipline,” Holness stated. “It runs counter to the story of Jamaica within the final 5 years. It isn’t supported by the pattern in statistics.”
In 2023, the island noticed roughly 4.1 million customer arrivals, a 16 p.c improve over the earlier yr’s numbers and a 7.5 p.c improve over 2019’s pre-pandemic numbers. Of this whole, greater than half of the island’s guests are from the U.S. alone at roughly 3 million.
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The crime statistics additionally paint a glowing image: Holness stated severe crime was down by 11% final yr, murders down by 8%, rapes down 15%. Throughout the board, he stated, crime was at a 22-year low.
“The problem we face is that all the pieces that’s stated within the journey advisory runs counter to Jamaica’s story of restoration, to Jamaica’s story of coming to grips with the challenges of being a growing nation.”
In response to Jamaica’s Ambassador to the USA, Audrey Marks, there was a file variety of customer cancellations because the advisory was printed and urged the US authorities to rethink.
