Is it protected to journey to Jamaica? Newest recommendation following Hurricane Melissa

Jamaica was hit by the world’s strongest storm this yr, Hurricane Melissa, on Tuesday, October 28. It was categorized as a class 5 storm because it approached the Caribbean nation, with intensive flooding and harm reported after the hurricane made landfall. The centre of Hurricane Melissa has now handed over Jamaica and is constant its path throughout the Bahamas and Cuba. It is anticipated to succeed in Bermuda on Thursday.

Jamaica, a preferred vacation vacation spot for British travellers, has closed its worldwide airports till additional discover and flights to Jamaica from UK airports have been grounded. The UK Foreign Office has urged British vacationers already in Jamaica to contact their journey supplier for updates and find their nearest hurricane shelter.

Here’s every little thing you could know in case you’re planning on travelling to Jamaica.

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A person cycles on a avenue in Kingston amid rainfall as Hurricane Melissa approaches

REUTERS/OCTAVIO JONES

What do I must learn about Hurricane Melissa?

Hurricane Melissa has been downgraded to a much less extreme class 3 storm because it made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday, October 28, having intensified right into a harmful class 5 storm on its method. It was the strongest storm on the planet this yr, producing winds of 175 mph, and has brought on intensive harm on the Caribbean island.

Jamaica’s hurricane season runs from June to November, however this was the worst the nation has skilled in years.

Following its landfall in Jamaica, the storm moved to the Bahamas and Cuba, and is anticipated to succeed in Bermuda as early as Thursday.

Workers board up store home windows forward of Hurricane Melissa’s arrival

MATIAS DELACROIX/AP

Is it protected to journey to Jamaica?

It is presently not doable to journey to Jamaica, with airports and ports nonetheless closed till additional discover. Under regular circumstances the island nation is a protected and well-liked vacation vacation spot for British travellers, however the arrival of Hurricane Melissa is anticipated to trigger important harm and destruction.

What is the official Foreign Office recommendation?

The UK Foreign Office has not explicitly warned in opposition to non-essential journey to Jamaica, nevertheless it up to date its steerage to say that Hurricane Melissa was anticipated to carry “exceptional levels of rainfall to the whole of Jamaica . . . Catastrophic flash floods and landslides are likely.”

It added: “The Jamaican government has closed its international airports until further notice. You may wish to monitor live updates from the Jamaican airport authorities regarding the status of Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston (@NMIA) and Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay (@MBJAIRPORT). You should monitor and follow the advice of your tour operator.”

The Foreign Office suggested travellers already in Jamaica to observe the steerage of native authorities and to find their nearest hurricane shelter. The Jamaican authorities has revealed an inventory of available hurricane shelters prematurely of anticipated landfall.

British travellers on bundle holidays must also contact their tour operator for recommendation, it added.

A lady and a baby on the Kingston waterfront

REUTERS/OCTAVIO JONES

Have flights been cancelled?

Yes. Both of Jamaica’s main worldwide airports, in Kingston and Montego Bay, have been closed till additional discover, and airways together with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have cancelled or postponed scheduled flights to and from Jamaica. If you might be on account of fly to or from Jamaica within the coming days it’s best to examine the flight standing together with your airline and count on delays and cancellations.

Can I get a refund if I select to not journey to Jamaica?

In the absence of Foreign Office recommendation in opposition to non-essential journey, you aren’t mechanically entitled to a refund below the bundle journey laws. If you’ve booked with a journey agent or tour operator, it’s best to name them to debate your choices. If you’ve booked instantly, a refund is probably going provided that the flight is cancelled or your lodging is closed.

Am I lined by my journey insurance coverage?

The extra you paid in your insurance coverage, the extra probably it’s that the coverage consists of cowl for cancellation and curtailment on account of pure disasters. Check your paperwork for extra particulars.

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