Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith has announced that up to 150 Jamaicans in Trinidad and Tobago will be returning to Kingston in short order, despite border closures in the Twin Island Republic following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Minister Johnson Smith, “We express our appreciation to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, and in particular the Minister of National Security with whom I was able to discuss the matter, and who has approved the repositioning of a Caribbean Airlines (CAL) plane from Port of Spain to Kingston. This has provided the opportunity for CAL to offer this 150-seat flight for Jamaicans who urgently need to return home.
Recalling that the borders of Trinidad and Tobago are not yet open to commercial flights, Minister Johnson Smith said, “We started discussions with CAL as soon as it was brought to our attention that there was a large number of Jamaicans in the Twin Island Republic who had not been aware of the June repatriation flight or had not been able to travel because of obligations at that time, but for whom return home has since become urgent. It became important however, to also raise the issue with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, and together a solution has been found.”
The Foreign Minister further explained that 124 Jamaicans and their dependents have already approached the Jamaican High Commission in Port of Spain indicating the urgency of their need to return. Johnson Smith told Jamaicans in Trinidad and Tobago, “If you are one of the Jamaican nationals who have registered and have been approved on Jamcovid19, and you have advised the Jamaican High Commission of your need to return to Jamaica, you will be placed on the flight list. If your circumstances have changed and you no longer wish to travel at this time, you should advise the High Commission.”
Johnson Smith also indicated that she has asked the Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ) to immediately engage with CAL to ascertain the fare and ticketing policy for persons already in possession of CAL tickets, so that details may be finalized and provided to interested persons as quickly as possible.
The Foreign Minister further stated that other Jamaicans wishing to return to the country, should immediately contact our High Commission so that the list of passengers may be finalized with the Trinidad & Tobago Ministry of National Security. The details of the Caribbean Airlines flight (including date, time, fare) will be sent to the 150 nationals and dependents approved for departure. A waitlist will be maintained in order of receipt, in the event that there are late changes by approved travellers and time permits for the substitutions.
Minister Johnson Smith is also reminding nationals across the world of the importance of registering with the relevant Jamaican Mission to ensure that they are accounted for, especially in this uncertain and rapidly changing environment associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Jamaican High Commission in Port of Spain may be contacted as below:
Jamaica@jhcpos.org
868 6224995 ext 24 or 22
10am to 4pm
