Excitement as Airport Receives Non-nationals

(Alan Lewin – News Reporter): The two major international airports were abuzz with excitements on Monday, June 15, as the government re-opened Norman Manley in Kingston and Donald Sangster in Montego Bay to receive non-Jamaican visitors.

The borders were partially opened two weeks earlier to returning Jamaicans but as of Monday non-Jamaicans, including tourists started coming in.

Minister of Tourism Ed Bartlett and Minister of Health DR Christopher Tufton were on hand to witness what is called a soft opening. Over 100 medical personnel were on hand from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, to see to it that the required health protocols were being adhered to, by both outgoing and incoming passengers. All the visitors were screened and presented with a face mask. Testing took place for those deemed high risk.

The first plane to land was an American Airline aircraft, at 11:45 a.m. with several passengers. The plane was sanitized by airport personnel. This was followed by a Stratair flight at 11.52 am.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Bartlett was quite pleased to see that the airport workers at the Sangster International Airport were back on the job.

He thanked all the teams who come together for the reopening of the airport to non-Jamaican nationals. He mentioned the health workers, the Jamaica Defence Force, the porters and police.