If you are scheduled to arrive in Jamaica this week you are
advised that there is a potential for road travel delays
throughout the island as demonstrators stage noisy protests
against a petrol tax increase. There have been numreous road
blockages and in Montego Bay the protests devolved into
rioting and looting of the shops of downtown merchants in
the old commercial core.
Although tourists are in no way targets of the anger it
would be prudent to avoid areas where confrontations between
police and demonstrators are likely to occur.
For up to the minute situation reports the best news sources
are www.jamaicaobserver.com and www.radiojamaica.com
There should be no need to cancel any vacation plans but you
should be aware of the inconvenience you may face travelling
from the airports to your hotel or walking about in the
commercial sectors of urban areas.
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This is taken from the U.S. Dept of State Listserver (hope
they don't mind!)
Jamaica - Public Announcement
April 20, 1999
Protests and roadblocks of major and secondary roads occurred
April 19 in Jamaica. Many businesses were closed, and some
scheduled international airline flights were canceled. These
disruptions are due to the Jamaican government9s April 15
announcement increasing gasoline taxes. Ground
transportation and some other services are disrupted in
Montego Bay and Kingston due to roadblocks and the inability
of employees to report to work. Protest fires and other
violent activity in Kingston and Montego Bay make travel in
both cities inadvisable. Residents and visitors to the island
may minimize problems by remaining at their homes and hotels.
There is no indication that the current situation represents
a specific threat to U.S. citizens although it nevertheless
calls for heightened caution. U.S. citizens traveling or
residing in Jamaica are urged to review their security
practices and maintain a low profile.
For further information about travel to Jamaica, please
consult the latest Consular Information Sheet for Jamaica.
This was taken from the U.S. Dept of State Listserver
Hope they don't mind!
Jamaica - Public Announcement
April 20, 1999
Protests and roadblocks of major and secondary roads occurred
April 19 in Jamaica. Many businesses were closed, and some
scheduled international airline flights were canceled. These
disruptions are due to the Jamaican governments April 15
announcement increasing gasoline taxes. Ground
transportation and some other services are disrupted in
Montego Bay and Kingston due to roadblocks and the inability
of employees to report to work. Protest fires and other
violent activity in Kingston and Montego Bay make travel in
both cities inadvisable. Residents and visitors to the island
may minimize problems by remaining at their homes and hotels.
There is no indication that the current situation represents
a specific threat to U.S. citizens although it nevertheless
calls for heightened caution. U.S. citizens traveling or
residing in Jamaica are urged to review their
securitympractices andmmaintain a low profile.
For further information about travel to Jamaica, please
consult themlatest Consular Information Sheet for Jamaica.
This Public Announcement expires May 21, 1999.