The Government of Jamaica has lifted the ban on persons entering Jamaica from countries affected by Ebola, with immediate effect.

The decision, which was made recently by the Cabinet, was guided by recent indications received from the World Health Organization (WHO) in light of the reduction of cases worldwide, especially in countries that were directly affected by the virus. 

In October 2014, the Jamaican Government had instituted the ban on persons ordinarily resident in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, as well as persons who had travelled to or transited through Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, within 28 days of having departed from these countries.

However, the WHO says the criteria it established to declare the end of any known transmission of the Ebola virus have been met, and as such has declared an end to the outbreak in the three key countries where the virus had been most prevalent: Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Health management strategies in these countries have also shifted from outbreak control towards surveillance and consolidating the gains made from controlling the spread of the virus.

The Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, will continue to monitor Jamaica’s ports of entry, in order to remain apprised of the situation on the ground and, thereby, safeguard the health of the country.