US softens wording on crime in updated Jamaica travel warning

The U.S. State Department last week updated its travel warning for Jamaica, maintaining its Level 3 alert but softening its language on crime, noting that “violent crime rates are generally lower in tourist areas than in other areas.”

In the latest advisory, a previous statement that sexual assaults “frequently occur, including at all-inclusive resorts” has been removed. It now says the U.S. Embassy “routinely receives reports of sexual assaults, including from U.S. citizen visitors to resorts.”

The State Department also provided new information on medical preparedness.

“U.S. citizens should not expect the same level of health care in Jamaica as in the United States. This includes the generally shorter response times for emergency services or routine care for illness or injury,” the advisory states.

“Private hospitals require patients to pay upfront before admission and may not provide specialized care. Ambulance services are not always staffed or readily available, especially in rural areas. Citizens should carry extra prescription medications, as common medications such as insulin may be difficult to obtain.”

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The update on Jamaica is routine, as the U.S. State Department reviews travel warnings of Level 3 and above every six months.

In late January, the U.S. State Department re-issued a Level 3 travel warning for Jamaica, advising American citizens to “reconsider travel” due to the country’s high crime rate and limited access to quality health care.

The reissued warning was met with backlash. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Sandals Resorts International Chairman Adam Stewart criticized the warning’s portrayal of Jamaica, and Jamaican Ambassador to the United States Audrey Marks urged U.S. officials to withdraw their assessment.

The latest advice continues to “strongly recommend” that U.S. travelers purchase travel insurance, including medical evacuation coverage, before traveling to Jamaica.

read: Jamaican Ambassador Audrey Marks calls for changes to US travel warning