The U.S. State Department has issued a new warning to American travelers heading to the Caribbean due to violent crimes affecting local populations in Jamaica and the Bahamas.
US raises travel advisory for travel to Jamaica
“Seven Mile Beach” in Negril, Jamaica is seen in an undated stock photo. STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images
Last month, the State Department reissued a Level 3 travel advisory for Jamaica, asking Americans to “reconsider traveling to Jamaica due to crime and medical services.”
The advisory, which was reissued on January 23rd, summarizes the current situation by saying, “Violent crimes such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and murders are on the rise. It happens frequently.” in a Caribbean country.
“Local police often do not respond effectively to serious criminal cases. Even when arrests are made, they are rarely prosecuted and sentenced,” the warning warned. “Families of American citizens killed in accidents or homicides often wait more than a year for a final death certificate to be issued by Jamaican authorities.”
The State Department also reminded that the Jamaican government’s reported murder rate is “among the highest in the Western Hemisphere in recent years.”
As of the publication of this article, the State Department has issued a warning to U.S. government employees under the security responsibilities of the Chief of Special Envoy (COM) regarding “travel to the region” as described in the advisory, as well as “use of public buses and Driving outside the country is prohibited. Designated areas of Kingston at night. ”
Additionally, the agency said Jamaica’s emergency services and hospital care may not meet U.S. standards, as response times and quality of care may vary across the island.
The State Department says, “Public hospitals lack resources and are not always able to provide highly specialized medical care.Private hospitals require advance payment before admitting patients and do not have the capacity to provide specialized medical care.” There is a possibility.” “Ambulance services are not always readily available, especially in rural areas, nor are they always staffed with trained personnel.”
The State Department strongly recommends that Americans “purchase traveler insurance, including medical evacuation insurance, before traveling to Jamaica,” as it will not pay for medical expenses or advisories.
Finally, the advisory states that U.S. Medicare and Medicaid do not apply overseas, and most overseas hospitals and doctors do not accept U.S. health insurance.
The advisory states that “U.S. citizens experiencing a medical emergency could face bills in the tens of thousands of dollars,” and that the cost of air ambulance services to the United States ranges from $30,000 to $50,000. He added that it could be.
For additional information about traveling to Jamaica, read the country information page on the Department of State website.
Areas on Jamaica’s Department of State travel ban list
St. Anne’s Parish, St. Catherine’s Parish, Clarendon Parish — except when passing through Clarendon Parish using the T1 and A2 motorways — St. Elizabeth Parish, Hanover Parish, St. James Parish and Montego Bay; Kingston and St. Andrew Parish, Cassava Piece, Downtown Kingston, Manchester Parish, St. Thomas Parish, Trelawny Parish, Westmoreland Parish.
Click here for more information about each county and parish, including specific regions and popular tourist destinations.
Safety information for Americans traveling to Jamaica
The State Department is urging U.S. travelers to avoid the Caribbean country, but also shared a list of best practices if you are still planning a visit to the island.
Do not bring firearms or ammunition. This includes stray bullets, artillery shells, or empty cartridges. The penalties for carrying a firearm or ammunition, even inadvertently, are severe and can result in lengthy prison terms.
Avoid walking or driving at night.
Avoid public buses.
Avoid secluded places and situations.
Do not physically resist robbery attempts.
Please be aware of your surroundings and keep a low profile.
Sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and easily locate yourself in an emergency.
Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
Check out Jamaica’s country security report.
Prepare a contingency plan for emergencies. Check out our Traveler Checklist.
Visit our CDC page for the latest travel health information for your trip.
Violence and shootings occur regularly in many regions, communities and parishes in Jamaica.
If you decide to travel to any of the “no-travel” areas listed above, the Department of State asks American citizens to visit this website for information about traveling to high-risk areas.
What you need to know about the US travel advisory for the Bahamas
The advisory, published on January 26, called on travelers to “exercise increased caution” if they decide to visit the Caribbean country.
Tourists on a beach in Nassau, Bahamas, December 22, 2022.Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images, File
According to the State Department, the majority of crimes, including robberies, armed robberies and sexual assaults, occur on New Providence Island and Grand Bahama Island, home to the Bahamian capital Nassau.
“In Nassau, the exercise has increased vigilance in the ‘over-the-hill’ area (south of Shirley Street), where gang violence has resulted in high homicide rates primarily affecting local residents.” says the government warning. According to the alert, violent crimes occur in “both tourist and non-tourist destinations,” and the State Department urges travelers to “use caution when staying in short-term vacation rental properties that are not staffed by private security companies.” “To,” he calls out. . ”
The State Department also suggested that U.S. travelers avoid activities such as commercial recreational watercraft boat tours because these activities are “not consistently regulated.”
“Vessels may be poorly maintained and some pilots may not have safety certifications,” the State Department said. “Always check local weather information and marine warnings before engaging in waterborne activities. Please be careful.” “Civil watercraft operators have the discretion to operate their vessels regardless of weather forecasts, resulting in injuries and fatalities. These safety concerns have led U.S. government officials to and are not allowed to use their own jet ski rentals on Paradise Island.”
Plane landing at Nassau Bahamas Airport with signboard.Stock Photo/Getty Images
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Click here for additional travel information on the Department of State’s Bahamas Country Information page.
The U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas also issued an alert Wednesday, advising “Americans to be aware of 18 murders in Nassau since early 2024.”
“Homicide happens at all hours of the day, including on the streets in broad daylight,” the statement said. “Retaliatory gang violence will be the main motive for murders in 2024.”
Bahamas Travel Safety Tips
A resort town in the Caribbean and Nassau Island in the Bahamas. STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images
The State Department shared a checklist of do’s and don’ts for American citizens to stay safe if they decide to travel to the Bahamas.
Do not answer the front door of your hotel or home unless you know who is coming.
Do not physically resist robbery attempts.
Sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and easily locate yourself in an emergency.
Follow the Department of State on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Check out the Bahamas National Security Report.
Prepare contingency plans for emergencies and medical situations. Check out our Traveler Checklist.
Visit our CDC page for the latest travel health information for your trip.
The U.S. Embassy in Nassau also issued its own list of safety precautions for U.S. travelers.
Use extreme caution on the eastern side of New Providence Island (Nassau).
Please be careful when walking or driving at night.
Keep a low profile.
Please be aware of your surroundings.
Do not physically resist robbery attempts.
Review your personal security plan.
This is a developing story. Please check back for the latest information.
